This tone.
If Rosemary wasnât mistaken, this was the first time they had met, wasnât it? They donât even know each otherâs names yet. There was no prior bad blood or recent resentment between them. But this woman was acting all high and mighty, dismissive and disdainful. Whatâs wrong with her?
Hogan might be a rough guy with only a handful of women heâd interacted with over the years, but he can still sense the obvious rudeness.
Frowning, he was about to speak when Rosemary raised an eyebrow, âWhat?â
Molly had intended to hint subtly at the truth. But since Rosemaryâs asking for it, Molly wouldnât hold back, âDoes Hogan know that youâre married?â
Whoops, there goes the show, with the lead actor tumbling off the horse right at the start.
Rosemary turned to Hogan, who had his brow furrowed so tight he could squish a fly. She meant for him to explain for himself. Though Mollyâs words are harsh, theyâre somewhat understandable.
If it were her friend pursuing a married person, Rosemary guessed she would also think the other person was deliberately deceiving, and her attitude would probably be worse than Mollyâs.
Hogan was not exactly cold to Molly, but he wasnât warm to her, either. To him, Mollyâs just his sisterâs BFF, and nothing more, âI know, but this is between us...â
âBro,â Sylvia looked at her brother in disbelief. He was their handsome brother who had always been popular with women, âYou actually know about this and still go along with it? This is immoral! Just wait until mom breaks your legs.â
Hogan couldnât deal with his sister, so he just put on a stern face and shoo her away, âOff you go, Miss Talkative.â
Rosemary couldnât help but chuckled, and Hogan gave her a look, a mix of helpless indulgence.
Rosemary didnât see the look, but Molly did. A fleeting trace of resentment flashed in her eyes...
Hogan was hers. She had waited so many years for him, and there was no way she would let another woman have him.
Sylvia used to not be very scared of Hogan, but ever since he joined the military, whenever he showed a stern face, she felt herself like a mouse facing a cat. Seeing him genuinely mad, she quickly dragged Molly out of there.
Once theyâre out of the café, she started nagging Molly, âMy brotherâs just playacting with that woman. Molly, you should confess your feelings to my brother soon! Iâve been waiting for you to become my sister-in-law for ages.â
Molly forced a smile, âWeâll see, I donât want to pressure Hogan.â
Only someone as naïve and innocent girl as Sylvia couldnât see the possessiveness in a manâs eyes. Hogan liked that woman, even if she was married.
Back in the café, Rosemary stirred the undissolved sugar in her cup, âIf you donât like her, you should be clear with her. Putting on this act is just hurtful.â
She remembered how she felt in front of Maxwell and couldnât help but feel a sense of sympathy for Molly.
âShe never said she liked me. Each time she looks at me, thereâs always a trace of girlish shyness,â Hogan said helplessly, âI canât just outright tell someone not to like me because of that, and that I have no feelings for her, right?â
It was improper for an outsider to comment on their relationship; Rosemary just kept her mouth shut.
Halfway through their coffee, the curtain was lifted again.
Before they could look up, they heard the new arrival instructing the bodyguard at the door, âTell the waiter to add a chair.â
Rosemaryâs gaze skipped over the newcomer, landing on the two bodyguards. She couldnât believe her luck. How could she run into Maxwell in such a place?
Feeling Rosemaryâs gaze, the bodyguards awkwardly looked away.
Hogan gave Maxwell a challenging eyebrow lift, his words cocky and provoking, âMr. Templeton, youâve got so much free timeâis the Templeton Group going under?â
âWhy donât we place a bet and see whether the Templeton Group faces bankruptcy first, or the Abbott family disappears from Greenwood first?â
As the waiter came to add a chair, the glimmer of gossip shined brightly in his eyes.
First, three men and a woman shared a booth, then two more women showed up, now here was another man. The situation seemed to be getting more complex and layered.
Hogan smirked with a taunt, standing up to whisper just loud enough for two to hear, âMr. Templeton, dare you lay a hand on me?â
If Maxwell were to throw a punch, his relationship with Rosemary would only get more discordant - they both knew that.
Maxwell sat down, his voice icy, âThe Abbott family actually has quite a reputation in the military, full of tough guys. But how did Mr. Abbott grow up to be so non-threatening, meddling in other peopleâs marriages? Does being a homewrecker make you proud?â
Rosemary wanted to speak, but Hogan didnât give her the chance. He looked serious and said, âMr. Templeton, you can insult me all you want, but lay off Rosemary. I wonât cross the line before youâre divorced. If you can win her back, I promise to wish you well and never say another word about having feelings for her.â
His gaze was sharp and resolute, honed from years in dangerous missions, âBut if you canât, the moment youâre divorced, Iâll be taking her straight to the wedding.â
Rosemary was gobsmacked, âWhat are you on about...â
Before she could finish, a chilly gust passed by her ear. When she reacted, Maxwell had already grabbed Hoganâs collar, âYou think you stand a chance?â
The room was already cramped, and as Maxwell reached out, he accidentally bumped into Rosemary, causing her to stagger towards Hogan.
Before she could bump into Hogan, Maxwell pulled her into his arms, standing up with her, âEven if itâs something I donât want, itâs never your turn.â
Hogan, whose face hadnât changed despite being collared, suddenly looked fierce as he heard these words, âYou son of a...â
He was about to swing a punch at Maxwellâs face when Rosemary stopped him, âHogan.â
The manâs fist stopped in mid-air.
After a moment of silence, Rosemary spoke again, with her emotions suppressed, âDonât dirty your hands for trash.â
Sheâd never regretted falling for Maxwell. Their marriage was based on mutual needs. After marriage, all his indifference and neglect were simply because he wasnât into her. She knew from the beginning that Maxwell had no feelings for her, so it wouldnât be fair to hold a grudge just because he didnât love her.
Love was not like a business deal, where one thing is exchangeable for another.
When Rosemary brought up divorce, she had already pictured him settling down with another woman. Sure, it stung a bit, and she felt a pang of sadness, but she was ready to wish him well.
But now.
Now she only felt that she had been blind at the time, to actually have fallen in love with such a man who does not understand what respect is.
Whispers of Destiny: His Belated Love ï¤Chapter 140 My Wasted Husband Is in Power, Now!
ï¤Chapter 1452 Long Life, Long Water Rosemary wriggled out of Maxwellâs embrace. From the moment he finished the sentence, she hadnât given him so much as a sideways glance. Her words were directed solely at Hogan, âSorry for dragging you into this mess.â