The wound on her leg was wrapped in gauze, so it was hard to tell if it was infected or not, but that


    area was definitely swollen, sticking out prominently.


    "Did you get a doc to check it out?"


    His tone was so chilly; even her swollen leg didn''t warrant a flicker of sympathy in his eyes, leaving


    Victoria puzzled and hesitant to y up her femininity.


    "I had the doc redo the bandage. I think it might''ve gotten infected when I, uh, got it wet in the


    shower today."


    Maxwell fished out his pack of smokes, snagged one, and popped it between his lips, tantly


    ignoring the no-smoking sign on the wall. With a flick, his lighter red to life, casting warm light on


    his sharp, icy features.


    He took a drag, and then finally let his gaze fall back to Victoria''s leg, "Victoria, you chose this path.


    Stick with it and don''t sell yourself short. Don''t trash the dream you''re chasing after."


    Victoria hadn''t expected that response; she thought at least he''d show a bit of concern or offer


    someforting words after seeing her injury.


    After all, there was a time when he''d frown just seeing her sttered with oil, and he''d personally


    grab an ice pack to soothe the burn.


    "Maxwell." She choked out a bit, her voice tight, "are you still holding a grudge against me?"


    "There''s nothing to hold a grudge about. It was your choice, and I chose to support it." Maxwell


    stamped out his cigarette, "It''s your leg. If you don''t wanna dance anymore, do whatever you want.


    I''m noting back to this hospital."


    With that, Maxwell left without a second nce.


    Not long after he departed, Tracy walked in, "So? Did Mr. Templeton show any reaction to your


    injury?"


    "He said he''s noting back to the hospital."


    "Didn''t you y the damsel in distress? I told you, guys dig it when their girl leans on them. You


    can''t be all high and mighty like usual. That''ll just push him further away."


    Victoria thought of his impassive face and forced a smile that looked more painful than crying,


    "Under the circumstances, I bet if I''d dropped dead in front of him, he''d just calmly tell you to take


    care of my funeral."


    Tracy fell silent, and then shook her head after a pause, "Guys have their pride, especially someone


    like Mr. Templeton, with all that power and status. When has he ever been tripped up by a woman?


    You just bruised his ego too much back then."


    Victoria stayed silent, with a hint of self-mockery in her eyes. Was that really how it was?


    The next day, with no need to be a caregiver at the Templeton Group, Rosemary slept in.


    Ynda had already headed to the shop and sent her a message, "The meeting with Oswald is set


    for tomorrow, but I''ve got clients to see, so I can''t join you."


    After graduating, Ynda had opened an antique shop with some family backing, and she also


    helped Rosemary snag some gigs from time to time.


    She texted back "Okay" and, after breakfast, headed out.


    Moving out from Meadork Retreat, she needed to find a new ce to crash. Staying close to


    work would be convenient.


    Rosemary hit up a rental agency and locked down a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment by


    noon. It was close to the studio, not too much furniture to worry about, and she could turn the spare


    room into her workspace.


    The best part? The property was well-managed, requiring ID for entry and exit.


    Lease signed, Rosemary saw she still had time to kill and decided to hit the mall. Ynda''s birthday


    wasing up, and she wanted to splurge on a bag for her.


    Ynda had been yapping about this season''s new release for ages, and this mall had the brand.


    Rosemary rode the elevator to the seventh floor, where a sales assistant approached, "Looking for


    anything in particr, Miss?"


    High-end shoppers usually had their eye on something specific.


    "Got the summer hit bag in stock?"


    The sales assistant gave an apologetic grin, "Sorry, that''s a limited edition. All imed at our store."


    A bit bummed, Rosemary uttered, “Okay, thanks.”


    As she turned to leave when a power-dressed woman breezed in, telling the shopping guide, "I''m


    here for the limited editiondies'' bag Mr. Templeton reserved a few days ago."


    Rosemary froze, her fingers slowly curling into fists. The Templeton surname was umon, and


    she knew the woman - Victoria''s agent, a face from the news.


    The guide responded, "Sure, but we need to confirm with Mr. Templeton. May I have your name and


    ID for verification?"


    "I''m picking it up for Ms. Victoria Temple. I''m Tracy, her agent."


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    The guide went to check Maxwell''s contact on theputer.


    Rosemary didn''t want to linger; the brief sh of heartache had numbed her. With a divorce on the


    horizon, it wasn''t her ce to care who he gifted bags to.


    As she was about to leave, Tracy stopped her, "Ms. Chambers."


    Rosemary hadn''t expected to be recognized. She raised an eyebrow, "What''s up?"


    Without mincing words, Tracy got straight to the point, "Ms. Chambers, you''re young and attractive.


    Why cling to a man who doesn''t love you? Better to let go now while you can stillnd someone


    decent."


    "Is that what Victoria told you to say?" Rosemary''s chin tilted with defiance, "My, how times have


    changed. Back in the day, mistresses hid in the shadows, scared of being dunked in a pig cage.


    Now they''ve got the guts to taunt the wife to her face?"


    Her posture as she spoke was utterly dominant.


    "Not being loved is what makes a mistress." Tracy didn’t show any sign of backing away, "Victoria


    and Mr. Templeton are meant to be."


    "Tracy, not married yet, are you?" Rosemary''s eyes narrowed, her seductive charm sneaking


    through, "When you tie the knot, I''ll be sure to introduce your husband to a few ''closedy friends’.


    Just to honor your magnanimity."


    Tracy''s smile stiffened. Before she could snap back, Rosemary''s tone was soft but intimidating, "As


    for the bag, please ry a message to Ms. Temple. Tell her to send half its cost to my ount.


    Sure, it''s from Maxwell, but we''re not divorced yet. It''s our joint property. If that transfer''s not in my


    ount within three days, she can expect a letter from mywyer."


    Tracy didn''t see iting. The woman who seemed all quiet and unassuming turned out to be a


    real firecracker, a tough nut to crack!


    For a moment, even Tracy, who had usually got the gift of the gab, was at a loss for words.


    Rosemary was about to make her exit when the shopping guide behind her called out, trembling,


    "Mrs. Templeton, Mr. Templeton asked you to wait for him here."


    Before making the call, the shopping guide had no clue she''d be walking into such a bombshell of a


    situation. And she certainly didn''t expect that, although she called Mr. Templeton''s assistant, it


    would be Mr. Templeton himself who picked up the phone!