Whispers of Destiny: His Belated Love novel Chapter 77

Martin was checking out the menu when he heard the comment. Looking up at Rosemary, who was quietly sipping her lemon water, he didn't hesitate to say, “Rosemary wouldn't pull a stunt like that. If she’s gonna introduce someone to me, she’d ask for my two cents first. Miss Stacey, if you get a kick out of stirring the pot, do me a solid and find another table, will ya?”

Rosemary looked up in surprise.

Her bond with Martin wasn’t tight to the point where he’d trust her with no questions asked. If it had been back in the day, he would’ve brushed it off with some noncommittal chitchat that spared both their blushes.

She’d seen him handle women way more troublesome than Stacey without losing his cool like this.

Stacey’s face turned beet red; she was mortified enough to wish she could just disappear into a hole in the ground.

Though Martin’s voice wasn’t loud and the tables weren’t close, the place was packed, and she felt like all eyes were on her. Even the whispers she couldn’t make out seemed to be mocking her.

Biting her lip, she whispered on the verge of tears, “Martin, you’ve got it all wrong. I didn’t. My sister really did say she’d introduce us.”

Martin replied, “Sorry, I’m not into the whole strangers calling me Martin. You can call me ‘Mr. Gellar’.”

Rosemary couldn’t help but snort with laughter.

Guys are just natural BS detectors, aren’t they? It’s not like they can’t tell a conniving little bitch from someone in sheep’s clothing; it’s just a matter of whether they’re down to be played.

Maxwell, on the other hand, was all about being played, and happy about it, too.

This time, Stacey couldn’t keep her cool. She hadn’t expected a seemingly sophisticated dude like Martin to diss a girl like that, especially in front of Rosemary.

It was like he’d ripped off her face and stomped on it.

She couldn’t keep up the facade anymore. Standing up abruptly, she glared at the two of them with eyes red with rage and said, “You guys are way out of line.” Then she spun on her heel and bolted.

But as soon as she was out of the restaurant, she regretted it—she’d footed the bill, after all. Why should she skip out on the meal?

Stacey turned back and picked a spot that was hidden yet offered a view of Rosemary, before she started snapping photos with her phone.

She was determined to make that couple pay.

Rosemary gave Martin the cliff notes version of the whole mess. “Sorry, I was actually planning to ask you out for a meal and talk about it then. I didn’t expect to bump into this drama today.”

Martin chuckled helplessly, “You should’ve told me sooner. Is she going to use your mother’s keepsakes to blackmail you now?”

“There’s probably nothing left of my mom’s stuff,” Rosemary brushed off the topic, “I just didn’t expect you to be so blunt.”

“I’m the kind of guy who stands up for my friends. Can’t stand to see them being pushed around by nobodies.”

That's not exactly what 'standing up for friends' means, but she can't really fault him there.

After they finished eating, Martin dropped Rosemary off at her apartment building, “Get some rest early.”

“Sure, thanks again for the place. I’ve transferred the rent to you, make sure you check.”

She’d checked the local rental prices earlier and paid him a grand more than market rate—it was only fair since his place was really move-in ready and spotlessly clean, even the bedding was provided.