Chapter 44

In the living room, Victoria's eyes widened in shock when she saw the woman who walked in with

Maxwell.

She had thought that Rosemary might show up tonight, given it was Pearl's birthday, but she also

felt that Maxwell would not publicly reveal Rosemary's identity as Mrs. Templeton and definitely

wouldn't let her step foot into the event.

But unexpectedly, not only did Rosemary make an appearance, but Maxwell brought her in arm in

arm, making their entrance in a manner that declared their intimate relationship.

The gazes of quite a few people were already shifting between the two women. Before Rosemary

showed up, everybody was only buzzing about the recent gossip and seeing Victoria there tonight,

they all assumed her relationship with Mr. Templeton was progressing to the point of meeting

parents and discussing marriage!

But now, the woman by Mr. Templeton's side was someone else.

Victoria felt the burning gazes of the people around her, who had just been complimenting her,

implying her that she was to be the future Mrs. Templeton.

Then someone approached to toast Maxwell, glancing curiously at the person beside him and

asked, "Mr. Templeton, who is this?"

Maxwell didn't speak, but the evening's focus, Pearl, came over. She took Rosemary's other hand

and formally introduced her to the guests, "Let me introduce everyone to my daughter-in-law,

Rosemary."

Upon hearing this, the room was shocked!

"Mr. Templeton is married?!"

"When did this happen? We never heard anything about it."

The guests were all abuzz, and only Victoria's face flushed with regret for having come here tonight.

Pearl chuckled, "The young people these days prefer to keep it low-key, not fond of our old-

fashioned pomp. So, the wedding previously was just a simple dinner among our two families.

Today is the perfect day to let everyone in on it."

With Mrs. Templeton laying it all out there, everyone understood the purpose of tonight's birthday

banquet, and their surprise turned into a mixture of laughter and chatter.

"Mrs. Templeton is as beautiful as a fairy."

"Such a figure, she could outshine any model."

No matter how much praise was given, Rosemary couldn't take it in. Although she was prepared for

their relationship to come to light, but never thought it would be in such a high-profile way.

She had thought they'd keep their secret marriage, and if it ended in divorce, it wouldn't affect their

lives much. But now.

Rosemary turned to Maxwell with a hushed, sharp tone, "Why didn't you stop her?"

"Stop her from what?"

She said irritably, "Of course, from publicly announcing our relationship."

Maxwell gave her a look and snorted, "You think everyone's as foolish as you? That I'd bring just

any Tom, Dick, or Harry to an event like this?"

Well, Rosemary had to admit he had a point this time. But still, she retorted unwillingly, "I thought

we'd quietly get divorced and go our separate ways, but since it's like this, it seems we'll have to let

everyone witness the moment Mr. Templeton gets dumped."

"Heh," he scoffed, "And you think you've got the guts to think you can dump me?"

While they bickered, Pearl had already moved on to greet other guests, and the guests shifted their

chatter from praising Rosemary to her attire.

"Mr. Templeton's married, and all those trending searches before... who would've thought the

renowned dancer wanted to be a mistress? Look at her dress today, it must be intentionally

provocative towards Mrs. Templeton, right?"

Hearing this, Rosemary finally noticed that Victoria was wearing a similar dress to hers today, both

made of black satin material and design; the only difference was Victoria's had a V-neck backless

style, while hers was a strapless version.

The dresses were similar yet not completely the same, but that minor differences couldn't prevent

people from comparing them.

In terms of pure visual effect, even Victoria had to concede that Rosemary wore it better.

She was naturally stunning, with fair skin that, contrasted with the black satin gown, made her seem

to radiate light.

"Psst." Rosemary arched an eyebrow, her voice barely audible aside from to Maxwell who was right

beside her, "What's wrong?"

"Looks like I'm twinning with your crush." There was no awkwardness in her tone; instead, it

sounded almost like she was enjoying the drama.

Maxwell glanced at her, then at Victoria not too far off, and plainly stated, "It's different."

Bearing the whispers of others, Victoria approached, holding an elegantly wrapped long box.

Rosemary guessed it might contain the antique painting she had restored.

"Maxwell, Rosemary."

Maxwell humped in response, his demeanor and tone as indifferent as if she were a complete

stranger.

Rosemary gave him a look and snorted inwardly: What an actor, it's a pity he's not in the movies!

She had zero interest in watching this pair of lovesick fools make goo-goo eyes at each other. Just

as she was about to slip her hand out of Maxwell's arm, Victoria turned her focus to her,

"Rosemary, do you have another dress here? Could you maybe change?" She trailed off, but the

message was clear, "I know this might be a bit presumptuous, but wearing similar outfits is just quite

awkward."

Rosemary gave her a fake smile that couldn't be faker, "I couldn't."

Her refusal was direct and straightforward, not for any reason other than she had no other dress.

Victoria, however, frowned, "Rosemary, there's no need for you to be so hostile towards me. After

all, we,"

"Ms. Temple, you're reading too much into it. I've got no hostility to you. As for the dress," she

glanced at Victoria's deep V neckline, her tone loaded with implication, "Do you have difficulties to

see things clearly?"

Seeing Rosemary refuse to back down, Victoria could only turn her gaze to Maxwell, her lips

reddening as she bit them, "Maxwell."

Maxwell frowned; Rosemary's earlier words had been too mean, and he didn't like her talking with

such an edge.

But before he could even open his mouth, Rosemary tiptoed close and whispered into his ear,

audible only to the two of them, "If you dare make me change my outfit, I'll leave right now."

So what if she was threatening him? She was done playing this scene, let him clean up the mess

himself!

Rosemary was already teetering on sky-high heels, and standing on tiptoe made her balance

unsteady. She swayed slightly, only to be steadied as Maxwell wrapped an arm around her waist

and pulled her into his embrace.

His next words were blunt, "Stand properly, don't act coy."

His tone was like reprimanding an employee.

Rosemary: How this man heard that she was acting coy?

"Let's end this tedious topic. Mom's calling you over."

Rosemary turned and, sure enough, saw Pearl waving at her, signaling her to come over.

The two headed toward Pearl, with Victoria trailing behind them, "Let's go together, I've just arrived,

and haven't had the chance to give Pearl the gift yet."

There, Pearl was affectionately holding her husband Norton Templeton's arm and warmly said to the

approaching Rosemary, "Rosemary, let me introduce you to some relatives; they are all good

friends of mine. They've been eager to meet you as Maxwell's wife."

Rosemary flashed a gentle smile, called out 'Dad', and handed over the birthday gift she had

prepared to Pearl, "Happy birthday, Mom."

Pearl joyfully accepted the gift, "I have the best daughter-in-law!" Then she shot a cold glance at her

short-sighted son, "Such a goods wife, you'd better cherish her twice as much. Otherwise,

someone's gonna regret it one day."

That 'someone' raised an eyebrow, his gaze fleetingly catching Rosemary's still-smiling face; and in

her eyes, he saw a warmth he had never noticed before.