Whispers of Destiny: His Belated Love novel Chapter 115

Her eyes were sharp and clear-cut, with just a hint of a curve at the corners, and the look in them was nothing but teasing, like a little fox that just snuck a taste of something forbidden.

Maxwell's brows started to knit together as he recalled Rosemary's words from before about not letting him have his cake and eat it too.

While he was caught up in that thought, the auctioneer fired up again, counting off with a passion.

Rosemary threw up her paddle once more, bidding the bare minimum just like she was toying with a cat.

The other folks interested in the bracelet caught a whiff of the tension in the air and decided to back off, figuring it wasn't worth making enemies over a piece of jewelry.

Victoria was gritting her teeth, her complexion flipping between pale and flushed, as she realized Rosemary's game. She didn't place another bid, and in the end, the bracelet went to Rosemary.

The auction rolled on, but she stood up and left the scene.

As an art restorer, Rosemary was used to handling the kind of jewelry that ancient nobility wore, intricate and beautifully crafted, far beyond the simple diamond-encrusted baubles of today. She glanced at Pearl, who was still buzzing with excitement, and didn't suggest leaving. Instead, she leaned in and whispered, "Pearl, I'm gonna hit the restroom."

Pearl said, "Alright, have Maxwell go with you."

Rosemary shot that down fast. She'd have to be bonkers to bring Maxwell along to the loo. She thought Victoria had already taken off, but lo and behold, she ran into her again by the sinks.

Talked about bumping into the last person you want to see!

Rosemary washed her hands, her face a mask of calm, not a trace of the cutthroat bidding war that had just taken place.

Victoria clenched her fists, her eyes drilling into her, "Rosemary, did you do that on purpose?"

"Yes."

Without even looking up, Rosemary admitted it plain as day.

"I've never wronged you. I like Maxwell, sure, but I was playing fair and square."

"Fair and square like when you schemed to buy my painting?" Rosemary cut her off, clearly annoyed, "Victoria, just for that, I could squash you like a bug and still not be satisfied."

The whole painting fiasco ended with insufficient evidence and a public apology from a classmate, but it still tarnished her reputation. She'd been turned down by a couple of studios and companies since graduating.

Victoria let out a bitter laugh, "Rosemary, do you know who leaked those photos of you and Maxwell in a hotel room to the media?"

It was Stacey who had confessed. But Victoria's tone hinted at more to the story. Rosemary didn't say a word, and just watched her calmly, waiting for her to spill the beans.

"In Greenwood, who would dare expose Maxwell's dirty laundry without his say-so? And keep it in the headlines for days on end." Victoria looked down her nose at Rosemary, trying to read her face, but all she got back was a stony expression, "Back then, I insisted on going abroad despite his pleas, even willing to break up with him. What do you think his reason was for leaking those photos?"

Rosemary could only think it was to make Victoria jealous and force her back.

"Clinging to a man who doesn't love you, Rosemary, how pathetic."

No sooner had she finished than Rosemary's hand flew up to slap her. Victoria didn't expect the slap, her eyes wide with shock as she stumbled back a few steps.

But she forgot she was in sky-high heels and lost her balance, twisting her ankle. "Ah." She winced in pain, bending down to rub her swollen ankle.