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.

a

all, with Murray avoiding the villa and not taking her calls, it was natural for her to feel frustrated and

it. The documents are intact. But mom..." Murray's voice was calm, yet firm, "please don't do this again. A

She hadn't done anything, and now,

not... Murray, listen

to the

wasn't interested in her

the bitter sting of injustice for

to

away with a look of disgust, "What is this oatmeal? It tastes

BUMS

is eat! And you dare complain? With

retorted, trembling

how