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.

fumed. "Look at the attitude on Roseanne. It all boils down to your

tensed slightly, "Roseanne? What

gave her a piece of my mind, and she blew up, accusing me of being harsh and mocking me as an uneducated woman! She's

"You met her

there pretending to

she'd broken up with you and that from now on, we're strangers! Who talks to their elders like that? Does she not want to be part of the Sherwood family anymore?" Murray's gaze

"So, you

blurted out, "How could

that, who's landed a golden ticket, isn't going to give it up easily! Make sure you give her a good talk when you get back!"

I've got another meeting soon. I'll have someone drive

son's mood darken further, Beverley wisely shut

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

Beverley off, Murray loosened his tie and

wasn't in a hurry to return to his mansion. Remembering Millie's birthday was around the corner, he texted Cliff about what to get her. Cliff instantly replied, [Women love jewelry. Maybe a bracelet or a necklace would

about these things.

speechless, 'What? Do I, a freaking bachelor, seem like

at the