Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The atmosphere at the breakfast table suddenly turned as cold as the North Pole when Beverley snapped, "Zip it. I'm talking to my son, not you."

She turned to Murray, her voice softening as she explained, "I did go to your study yesterday. Your assistant was waiting outside, and I swear, I didn't step inside. All I did was open the drawer to get the documents you wanted. I didn't touch anything else." "Could it have been Sadie while she was cleaning?" she wondered aloud.

Quick to defend herself, Sadie interjected, "You had mentioned not to disturb anything in your study, sir. I remember it well and take great care."

Murray shook his head, "It wasn't Sadie. The study is cleaned once a week, and yesterday wasn't the day."

As she slowly ate her plain oatmeal, Millie spoke up, "Well, I don't have the keys to your study, so it wasn't me. That only leaves... Beverley."

Beverley felt her blood boil at Millie's insinuation and wanted to lash out, "What nonsense are you spouting?! Why would I sabotage my own son's documents? That makes no sense. What do I stand to gain from that?"

Millie just shrugged, "Who knows? But it wasn't me. Besides, hasn't someone been particularly moody these past few days?"

This was a trivial issue, but coming from Millie at this moment, it took on a new significance.

Murray had checked; the documents were still there, but as if someone had played a prank, pages from two sets of documents had been swapped.

Beverley seemed a likely suspect.This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

After all, with Murray avoiding the villa and not taking her calls, it was natural for her to feel frustrated and want to act out.

"Let's drop it. The documents are intact. But mom..." Murray's voice was calm, yet firm, "please don't do this again. A mix-up like this could cost us millions." With that, he strode off.

Beverley felt wronged. She hadn't done anything, and now, her own son doubted her!

"It's not... Murray, listen to me..."

"I'm off to the office. We'll talk later."

It was clear he wasn't interested in her excuses.

Watching her son walk away, Beverley felt the bitter sting of injustice for the first time.

Millie, eager to fan the flames

further, pushed her bowl away with a look of disgust, "What is this oatmeal? It tastes awful! Sadie-make me a new batch!"

BUMS

"All you do is eat! And you dare complain? With your stingy ways, you're hardly fit for oatmeal!"

Beverley retorted, trembling with et

rage, recalling how Millie had been

stirring trouble to drive a wedge between her and her son.

Millie frowned, "What did you call me? Stingy? Do you think your grandson can do without me?"

That was the last straw for Beverley. She had tolerated Millie's constant nagging about her "grandson" for too long, catering to her every whim like a servant.

Enough was enough.

"What rubbish!" Beverley exploded, "I'm done serving you! A grandson from someone like you? I'd rather not. Do whatever you want!" With that, Beverley stormed upstairs.

Moments later, she came down with her luggage, summoned the driver, Lara, Sadie, and the rest, "We're leaving. Back to the old house!"