Rosemary didn't see it coming; a casual question could tick him off: "Nope."
After Queena stepped out, it was Maxwell's turn. The results would take another two hours, so Rosemary went out to pick up Pearl.
Pearl had seen the news and, after getting Rosemary's address over the phone, rushed over.
"Seriously, he actually jumped into the lake?" Clutching Rosemary's hand and looking at Maxwell, who was feigning sleep with his eyes closed on the ER bed, she asked with a face full of worry, "Are the test results out yet? Is everything okay?"
Rosemary replied, "Still waiting on the results. Should be nothing major. Have a seat and don't fret."
Pearl blamed herself: "It's all my fault, blabbering nonsense during the festivities. As soon as Maxwell heard I said you were going to jump in the lake, he dashed to his car without even putting on his shoes to find you."
On the bed, Maxwell frowned slightly: "Mom..."
"You can't even let people talk about what you've done? If it wasn't for the fact that he was a patient, Pearl felt like slapping him, "And who was it that wanted me to call Rosemary to come over for the New Year?"
Maxwell hadn't spelled it out, but him, usually not a blabbermouth, suddenly spilling the beans about what happened in Havenfield was obviously a scheme to get her to invite Rosemary over.
Hmph, as if he could hide his little game from his mom?
Rosemary looked at Maxwell; he didn't say anything, just turned his head away. Was he agreeing, or just couldn't be bothered to waste time defending himself over such a silly topic?
Two hours later, Rosemary went to pick up the report, bumping into Queena at the restroom. Queena glanced at her, "Keep an eye on your boyfriend; the dude's got issues."
Rosemary had no intentions of rekindling things with Maxwell, but she had her principles. Hearing that, she scoffed, "So, I'm getting backstabbed for saving someone? Badmouthing a guy who risked his life to dive into a lake to rescue you; isn't that a bit low?"
"He didn't jump to save me; he thought I was someone else. Plus, he was trying to scam a hefty compensation from my folks. Don't you think that speaks volumes about his character?" Queena retorted unhappily, "I'm just giving you a heads-up, don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Rosemary's face was all sneers, "Don't worry, he's not interested in your little compensation. As for character, someone like you has no right to judge him."
Queena, her face turning red with anger, "You..."
Before she could finish, Rosemary breezed past her toward the report desk.
The report was clear; no need for hospitalization.
Rosemary declined Pearl's invitation to the old house and went home.
Yolanda's call came while she was soaking in a bath, engulfed by the scent of rose essential oil and the warm steam, nearly dozing off: "Rosemary, you sure pulled a stunt, pantsing Maxwell in front of the whole country."
Knowing she'd seen the news, Rosemary let her head hang over the tub edge, exasperated: "I was roped into it."
She gave a rough rundown of the events: "I was nearby, so I went to take a look. Who knew it'd be such a coincidence."
Yolanda couldn't stop laughing: "That's not coincidence, that's bad luck sticking to you like glue."
"..."
"By the way, weren't you staying in Havenfield for the New Year? Why the sudden return?"

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