Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"That's a relief," Leda sighed, her tension visibly melting away. "Hey, are you free tonight? I could use your help."

After a successful meeting with the school board, Hertha's mood visibly brightened, contrasting her frustration from her recent encounter with Madeleine. "Let's go, Mom. Time to hit the road."

Her mom Beverley frowned, her gaze drifting away from the direction of the library. "You go ahead. I've got something else to deal with."

Beverley dialed her phone without another word, arranging for another family driver to fetch her.

Hertha figured her mom was just heading to another fancy lunch and didn't think much of it. Little did she know, as soon as Beverley got in the car, she ordered, "Drive to Murray's office."

Just ending a meeting, Murray was surprised to see his mother storming in with a scowl. "Mom, what brings you here?"

Beverley scoffed, "What, I can't visit?"

"It's not that," he said, touching his nose nervously.

Beverley huffed and plopped onto a sofa. "If you can't handle your woman, I don't mind stepping in."

Murray was puzzled.

on Roseanne. It all boils down to your spoiling

tensed slightly, "Roseanne?

her at Kingswell University's library. I gave her a piece of my mind, and she blew up, accusing me of being harsh and mocking me as

met her

of staying home, cooking, and tidying up, she's there pretending to be an intellectual, thinking it'll make me respect her. Dream

now on, we're strangers! Who talks to their elders like that?

"So, you

blurted out, "How could

to give it up easily! Make sure you give her

another meeting soon. I'll have someone

her son's mood

then, I'll leave for today. But don't let Roseanne off easy. Women need to be kept in line and tamed properly, then

After seeing Beverley off, Murray loosened his tie and exhaled

around the corner, he texted Cliff about what to get her. Cliff instantly replied, [Women love jewelry. Maybe

[I'm clueless about these things. Let's

a freaking bachelor, seem like a

met up at the