Whispers of Destiny: His Belated Love novel Chapter 29

After confirming the authenticity, Rosemary carefully packed the painting into a box and whipped out the contract she had prepared earlier for Victoria to sign.

As Victoria put her signature on the dotted line, she couldn't resist taking a jab at her, "Look at you, once the cream of the crop at the art school, raking in a cool 300 grand for a painting before even graduating. And now? You've hit rock-bottom, playing errand girl as someone's assistant. How's that feel?"

This whole ordeal was like a stain on Rosemary's life that just wouldn't wash out. Yet, Victoria never got the satisfaction of seeing Rosemary blow her top. Her face, a cocktail of allure and aloofness, remained an emotionless mask.

Without a word, she hugged the painting and made her exit. She walked away with her back ramrod straight, only slumping down like a deflated ball once she was safely inside a cab.

This painting was in bad shape - a massive project with time ticking away. There was no time to lose, so she headed straight home once she had the artwork in her possession.

Her two-bedroom apartment had one room transformed into a studio. Rosemary laid out the protective paper on the table, smoothed it out with a damp brush, and then placed the unrecognizable ancient painting on top, misting it with lukewarm water around 50 degree centigrade.

Restoring paintings required the patience of a saint. By the time she finished the first step, night had completely fallen.

The buzz of her phone broke Rosemary's concentration. A glance at the screen - It was Maxwell calling.

Her eyes flicked to the ancient painting in front of her, recalling Victoria's barbs from earlier today about the supplementary card Maxwell had given out.

With furrowed brow and an irked tone, she answered, "What do you want?"

Maxwell was also frowning on the other end, "Did someone light your fuse?"

"Spit it out if you've got something to say, or else I'm hanging up," just as she was about to cut the call, Maxwell's command stopped her in her tracks.

"Come downstairs."

"What?" It took a few seconds for Rosemary to react. She strode to the window, yanked back the curtain, and sure enough, there was that familiar Bentley parked below. He had actually shown up.

"I'm busy; let's talk over the phone."

She feared seeing Maxwell would make her lose her cool, and maybe even use her stilettos to give his face a new look!

On one hand, he was coldly handling legal issues with his wife, and on the other, he was flaunting his mistress around town with his credit card. Even a dog wouldn't be that showy!

"I'm taking you out to eat." After a brief pause, Maxwell's voice returned with a sly undertone, "Or would you prefer I come up and drag you to the restaurant?"

Rosemary rejected the offer without hesitation, "Not hungry, I'll pass."

"Mom made the reservation. If you're not going, tell her yourself."

That remark took the wind out of Rosemary's sails.

Pearl had wanted them to go out like a regular couple, to dine out now and then. She had gone through so much trouble, booking couple's restaurants for them to share intimate moments, but Maxwell was too chilly to even hold hands in public, let alone go on a date.

And as for couple's restaurants, they had never been to one. Now he was suddenly playing the obedient son?

But after a few seconds of hesitation, Rosemary went downstairs anyway. She hadn't eaten since noon and was famished. The fridge was barren except for a few bottles of yogurt. She'd just chalk it up to filling her stomach - pure and simple!