Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 495

Barrie wrapped an arm around Lorna’s slender waist and pushed open the door.

The private lounge was empty, save for a bowl of fruit and a few bottles of wine on the table.

Once the heavy door clicked shut behind them, the noise from the hallway faded into silence.

Barrie pinned Lorna against the wall, one hand firmly on her waist, the other tilting her chin up as he leaned in for a kiss—

“Hold on,” she said, pressing a manicured finger to his lips. Lorna’s red lips curled into a sultry smile. “Mr. Lockwood, there’s no rush. We have the whole night ahead of us.”

Barrie’s eyes narrowed. “Does Stewart really let you stay out all night?”

“Oh, him…” Lorna toyed with Barrie’s tie, her fingers light and teasing. “He’s not exactly in top shape. Spends more time asleep in bed than awake these days. I doubt he’d even notice if I went home or not.”

Barrie raised an eyebrow. “He’s really that ill?”

Lorna laughed softly, eyes glinting. “Mr. Lockwood, you’ve heard the rumors, haven’t you? Why won’t you believe me?”

“It’s hard to swallow,” Barrie replied with a cold smile, his glasses reflecting a sharp glint. “Stewart controls the economic lifeblood of Northborough. I was looking forward to facing him in the business arena, and now you’re telling me he’s on his last legs?”

Lorna sighed, her tone tinged with regret. “Exactly. I only agreed to the engagement so quickly because of his background and power. But now? He probably won’t see the end of this summer. I have to start looking out for myself.”

“As I understand it,” Barrie said, his thumb tracing gentle circles on Lorna’s bare skin, “his ex-wife gave him twins, and he’s already brought the boy home to join the Wentworth family.”

“Don’t remind me,” Lorna’s face darkened, annoyance creeping into her voice. “So Stewart’s got an heir, but what about me? I’m barely even his fiancée yet—if he dies, I end up with nothing.”

“In that case, perhaps I could help you… take care of the child?” Barrie suggested, his tone casual but his meaning unmistakable.

Lorna’s brows shot up. “You’re joking, right, Mr. Lockwood?”

Barrie studied her, lips curling in a faint, mocking smile. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid?”

She paused, took a sip of whiskey, and continued in a low voice, “Fred Wentworth has been making big moves lately. The family’s in chaos, and Fred wants to put his illegitimate son in charge. Honestly, with the way things are going, Stewart’s child doesn’t stand a chance at inheriting anything.”

Barrie’s eyes narrowed with interest. “And what’s Stewart’s attitude these days?”

“What attitude can a dying man have?” Lorna shrugged. “Although, I did hear he’s been negotiating for that land in the Northern Suburbs. The government’s planning to develop it into a major import hub, and I think Stewart wants to use the deal to launder some of The Wentworth Group’s assets. He’s not about to let Fred’s bastard son waltz in and take over everything he built.”

“That does sound like Stewart,” Barrie said with a faint smile.

After all, the group’s current success was all thanks to Stewart. Barrie had already looked into it—before Fred’s plane crash, The Wentworth Group’s finances were already shaky.

Strictly speaking, if not for Stewart, the company would never have reached its current heights.

Now Fred had returned with an illegitimate son, ready to reap the rewards. No wonder Stewart was unwilling to let it go.