Whispers of Destiny: His Belated Love novel Chapter 98

Hearing that, Victoria visibly relaxed, her lips instinctively arching upwards, but she quickly checked herself, holding back the expression.

Maxwell was still looking out for her. She knew it. He had been giving her the cold shoulder lately because he was still peeved about her ditching him to go abroad all those years ago.

Rosemary's fingers clenched tightly together, her chin lifted defiantly as she looked down on him from her high horse, like a cock ready to rumble, "Dream on. I'm not about to apologize to Victoria."

Maxwell's face was a storm of anger, like a tempest ready to sweep Rosemary up and tear her to shreds, "I'm not asking you to apologize to Victoria; I'm telling you to apologize to the kid."

Victoria, who was all set to come out looking like a peacekeeper and the picture of grace, was left speechless.

Rosemary sneered dismissively, "Didn't see that coming. You're actually a decent dad."

Maxwell ignored her sarcasm, stood up, and his towering presence instantly overshadowed Rosemary's defiance. He grabbed her wrist, tugged a bit harder than necessary, and yanked her across his desk into his embrace, "Apologize."

There were still coffee stains on his face, and as Rosemary was pulled towards him, a few drops fell from his jawline onto the top of her head.

This jerk just had to drag her down with him.

"If you're that superstitious, afraid my words will come true, then just don't have the kid. You and Victoria, the douchebag and the slut, can play the crappy couple and live happily ever after until you're both old and gray. Wouldn't that be sweet?"

Victoria uttered, "Rosemary, the beef between us is at best just some petty vanity and jealousy of young girls. Apart from a few snarky comments in college, I've never done anything extreme, and I haven't even been in touch with you for years. Don’t you think calling me ‘slut’ is a bit much?"

Victoria wasn't entirely wrong, but also not entirely right.

To outsiders, it was just some petty squabble where the fans of two campus beauties tried to one-up each other, though it did get ugly. But the main players never actually got their hands dirty.

Yet, Rosemary knew the reason why those people held fierce animosity towards her was that Victoria had been pulling strings behind the scenes.

Till now, she still didn't get why Victoria despised her so much. Was it because of that silly popularity ranking posted on the forum? They were from different departments and both top students in their fields. Unable to compete academically, some bored folks started stirring up drama based on looks, figure, and family background.

Rosemary gestured with her eyes to a painting on the desk, "This painting, Maxwell buys it for a high price, and the next thing I know, you're all over campus hyping it up. Then Crystal exposes me for staging the whole thing. Digging such a deep trap just to frame me, make me isolated, and endure the relentless verbal abuse from everyone - just to crush an insignificant me. You guys sure went out of your way."

Victoria panicked, reflexively looking up at Maxwell, only to see him looking unnervingly calm, though his eyes were frosty.

He said, "You were bullied?"

Rosemary pushed him away in disgust, "When you set up this whole thing, didn't you plan out my dire straits? Now coming here acting all concerned, it's nauseating."

Victoria took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, "Rosemary, I don’t know where you're getting these rumors, but I had no idea Maxwell was the one who bought the painting. I only found out when I overheard the teachers discussing it and promoted it for the school's recruitment. I discussed it with the school administration. If you don't believe me, you can go ask."