Whispers of Destiny: His Belated Love

Chapter 43

The birthday banquet coincidentally fell on a weekend. Rosemary was up at the crack of dawn on the day. After wrapping up Victoria's order, she only took a two-day breather before diving into another gig.

She had no choice. If she didn't work her hardest, she'd never be able to pay off that humongous debt in this lifetime!

The Templeton family held their birthday banquets with discretion, inviting only the Floris family and the Templeton family relatives. Every year without fail, Rosemary would show up at the Templeton family estate early in the morning to busy herself serving the guests.

But this year, she wasn't planning on heading over so soon. Sooner or later, she and Maxwell were going to get divorced, and starting now, she needed to gradually peel away from her old life, which was also a way to give Pearl some time to accept it.

After all, she couldn't spend her whole life playing a role with Maxwell; Pearl would find out eventually.

Rosemary glanced at the time and then busied herself with the task at hand. This time, she was repairing a bowl, which wasn't severely damaged.

When she was busy, she lost track of time. By the time she heard her phone ring, she realized it was already two in the afternoon, and her stomach was beginning to growl with hunger.

It was Maxwell on the line. Rosemary moved her stiff neck, then answered the call. Without waiting for her to speak, the man's deep voice came through, "Come down."

They hadn't been in touch for about a month, but today was special; he was here to take her to the Templeton family's place.

Seeing it was about time, Rosemary said, "Wait a moment, I'll put on some makeup."

Although it was just a family banquet and formal attire wasn't necessary, she couldn't be too casual either. Lucky for her, he had brought a few high-end custom outfits with her when she moved out of Meadowlark Retreat.

The voice on the other end was none too pleased, though: "Skip it, just get down here. You've got five minutes."

He sounded like he was in a bad mood, and his impatience was evident even through the phone.

Indeed, when had Mr. Templeton, who always had things his way, ever waited for anyone?

Rosemary checked herself out in the mirror: her hair was casually tied up in a bun, she was bare- faced, and she was wearing a cotton T-shirt and sweatpants she had bought online for a few dozen dollars.

If he wasn't embarrassed by her low-key getup, then there was no need for her to doll up for his sake.

So, she changed her shoes and went downstairs, grabbing two slices of bread to tide her over on her way out.

Maxwell's car was parked outside the building. He was standing quietly by the car, smoking, clad in a black shirt that enveloped his upper body, with a bleak and silent aura.

The outfit he was wearing was from a high-end brand, costing seven figures. The watch on his wrist was the epitome of luxury, his air of nobility starkly out of place in this ordinary residential area.

One could imagine how much Maxwell disdained her appearance; his frown was so deep it could trap a fly. Though he didn't speak, the meaning in his eyes was clear

"Look at the beggarly life you're leading after leaving me!"

Just as Rosemary was about to hop in the car, Maxwell's sharp gaze swept over her, "Finish eating and clean off any crumbs before getting in the car."

She really wanted to ask Maxwell if the person standing in front of the car with bread was Victoria, would he also be this harsh?

But bringing it up would sound like she was jealous, so she took a deep breath to hold back, finished the bread in two bites, and deliberately shook off her clothes with exaggerated motions in front of him, "Can I get in the car now, Fussy Maxwell?"

Maxwell's face turned sour as all get out, "Even if you were never truly a socialite, you were still a genuine lady of status. Knock it off with the Internet terms, lest you want to become a laughingstock."

But Rosemary huffed, "What, can't a lady of a wealthy household use the Internet?"

Maxwell fell silent, it seemed her life as a lady these past three years has been quite interesting!

The car left the neighborhood and merged into the congested traffic.

Half an hour later, Rosemary frowned, "This isn't the way to the Templeton family's place."

Maxwell glanced at her, dripping with disdain, "You plan to show up like that? You might not be ashamed, but I sure am."

Rosemary rolled her eyes. Who was it that said no need for makeup? A man whose words contradicted his feelings!

Maxwell took her to a beauty studio, where she ended up not just with makeup but also changed into a formal dress. Looking at her delicately made-up reflection in the mirror, she frowned and commented that it was overdone, "Isn't this a bit much for a family banquet?"

It was just a meal with relatives from two families. Nobody wore formal dresses in the past couple of years. Thinking about how both families would stare at her like she was a panda made her feel utterly uncomfortable. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Maxwell, legs crossed and flipping through a magazine on the couch, glanced up at her, "Who told you it is just a family banquet?"

"Huh?" Rosemary's heart sank, getting a bad feeling, "What do you mean? Isn't it a tradition for Mom to only invite close relatives from both families for a meal on her birthday?"

"She's decided to do it big this year, said she wants to ward off bad luck."

Pearl had always been superstitious, often seeking blessings from gods and Jesus. Rosemary had no objections to doing it big; as long as she was happy, the scale didn't matter, but she and Maxwell were secretly married. If it was done on a large scale, they'd be swarmed by the media.

"Then under what identity should I co-host the guests with you?"

With Pearl around, Maxwell couldn't pretend there was nothing between them, especially since the relatives from the Floris and Templeton families were clued into her identity. Their relationship was bound to be exposed.

But Maxwell didn't seem to think it was an issue, "Whatever your identity is, that's what it is."

"Are you joking?" In her agitation, Rosemary nearly lost her composure, "We're about to get a divorce!"

After being married for so long without going public, and now they were about to blow it up just as they were calling it quits—was she crazy or was Maxwell?

"I'm not going to the banquet. You can smooth things over with Mom, say I'm sick, in the hospital, on a trip, whatever. I'll make it up to her with a separate celebration later."

That was about the only way now.

Maxwell's gaze turned cold as he looked at her, "Well, I guess I'll just have to spill the beans about Mrs. Templeton's absence at the party. Hopefully, everyone will get the picture about your 'difficulty'."

His implication was clear; whether she went or not, their relationship would be made public, and she would also earn the reputation of being disrespectful and unfilial!

Rosemary gritted her teeth—what a ruthless man!

Seeing she was just glaring at him without a word, Maxwell closed his magazine and got up. "Let's go, you're the hostess. Wouldn't be a good look to arrive later than the guests, would it?"

Unable to quell the anger in her heart, Rosemary asked sarcastically, "Victoria will be there tonight, won't she?"

She thought of the dress she bought for Pearl last time. Victoria had wanted to buy it too, probably for tonight.

Maxwell nonchalantly responded, "Nope."

He had never given her an invite, though Victoria had openly and covertly asked him for one.

Rosemary snorted with laughter, "No wonder you're so unbridled. It's because Victoria isn't here, so you don't have to worry about your beloved's feelings.”

All she got in response was the sight of him turning his back and walking away. Clenching her fists, Rosemary had no choice but to follow.

The birthday banquet was held at the Templeton family's place, and just from looking at the cars parked in the garden, one could tell how grand the occasion was.

As soon as the car stopped, instead of waiting for Maxwell to open the door for her, she pushed the door open herself and got out.

Maxwell's brow furrowed slightly in displeasure, but he didn't say anything.

He quickly caught up with her, bending his arm in a silent offer for her to take it.

Rosemary hesitated for a moment, her mind momentarily adrift.

She had never attended a significant event with Maxwell before; this was a first time he had offered his arm to her.

Maxwell glanced at his watch, impatiently reminding, "Do you want everyone to think our marriage is in discord?"

That snapped Rosemary back to reality, cursing internally that they were already in discord, but she obediently took his arm.

But as soon as she entered the living room, she saw the very person Maxwell had adamantly claimed would not be at the party.