Briony stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold, her eyes calm and unreadable.
Ferdinand glared at Stewart, his eyes bloodshot. “If you ever dare humiliate Bryn again, I swear I won’t let you off so easily!”
Carl rushed over, grabbing Ferdinand and pulling him away from Stewart with force.
Stumbling back a few steps, Ferdinand straightened up, tugged his collar back into place where Carl had yanked it askew, and continued to glare at Stewart.
“Mr. Wentworth, are you alright?” Carl asked anxiously, his own eyes rimmed with red.
Stewart steadied himself, gently brushing Carl’s hand away. He lifted a hand to his lips, stifling a cough, swallowing the metallic taste of blood that rose in his throat.
At a distance, Briony’s gaze never left Stewart. She stood as if carved from stone, her face a blank mask.
Stewart wiped a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth. “I’m fine. Just a scratch.”
Carl glanced down at Stewart’s clenched fists, hanging at his sides and trembling ever so slightly, worry etched deep on his face.
Mr. Wentworth was already pushing himself too hard—now he’d taken a punch from Ferdinand as well.
Carl had clearly seen Stewart cough up blood just now, but Stewart had forced it back, desperate to keep anyone from noticing.
Stewart turned to Barrie. “Those videos and photos of Rosita—how much does Mr. Lockwood want for them?”
Barrie couldn’t help but sneer when he heard Stewart was trying to buy up Rosita’s scandalous footage. “Still hopelessly in love with Rosita, are you, Mr. Wentworth? Even now, after she’s ruined her reputation and run off to Ferguson, you’re still trying to protect her? I guess some people can never let go of their first love—amazing, isn’t it?”
It was obvious Barrie meant every word for Briony’s benefit.
Stewart ignored him. “Tell Mr. Lockwood to contact me when he decides on a price.”
With that, he straightened his suit jacket, squared his shoulders, and strode toward the elevator.
As he passed by Briony, he heard her speak quietly. “Little Nina asked me to vote in her place.”
“How dull.” Stewart tossed the bloodied handkerchief at Briony’s feet. “How can you be so pathetic, Briony? Do you love me that much? It’s a shame, really. I despise stupid women the most. Do you even understand what dignity is?”
“Stewart!” Ferdinand shouted, lunging forward, but Briony caught him by the arm just in time.
Ferdinand frowned, looking at her in disbelief. “Bryn, you’re still defending him? After how he’s humiliated you—”
“He’s right,” Briony said coldly, staring hard at Stewart. “I am pathetic. I am stupid. Even now, I was still thinking of supporting you for the sake of the child.”
Stewart pressed his lips together, his dark eyes fixed on her.
“But you think I love you?” Briony let out a bitter laugh. “Stewart, a man like you doesn’t deserve to be loved by anyone.” She took a step back, meeting his gaze, her words clear and steady: “I hope you live a long, long life—lonely and unloved to the very end.”
With that, Briony turned on her heel and strode toward the elevator.
Stewart watched her retreating figure, pain tightening in his chest, but all he could do was clench his eyes shut and bear it in silence.
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Where's the updates. Almost a week now...
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