Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 564

Ferdinand gave Mary a gentlemanly smile. “I studied abroad for a while. When the right opportunity came along, I took out a loan and started my own business. Just got back last week.”

Mary nodded and asked, “Are you planning on going abroad again?”

Ferdinand glanced at Briony. “No, I’m staying here for good. Northborough is home now.”

Briony finished the last bite of her cake, set the empty plate aside, and stood up. “You two carry on. I’ve got to get going.”

As soon as Mary heard Briony was leaving, she sprang up to follow. “Briony, wait for me—ah!”

Briony paused at the sound, but Mary, rushing too fast, couldn’t stop in time. She collided right into Briony, let out a shriek, and tumbled straight toward Ferdinand, who was still sitting at the table.

Briony managed to steady herself by grabbing the table just in time.

“Bryn!”

“Ms. Kensington!”

Ferdinand and Maynard both called out in alarm.

Maynard was the first to reach her. He bent down, concern in his eyes. “Are you all right? Did you hurt yourself?”

Briony had twisted her ankle.

And it was bad—when she tried to put weight on her right foot, a sharp pain shot through her.

Before she could protest, Maynard simply swept her up in his arms. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“Maynard, put me down—”

“Relax. I’ll leave as soon as a doctor says you’re fine.”

He carried her out of the hall, not giving Briony a chance to argue.

Ferdinand pushed Mary aside, his gaze fixed coldly on Maynard’s retreating figure as he carried Briony away.

Somewhere in the crowd, a paparazzo caught the whole scene—Maynard carrying Briony out of the ballroom.

Before Briony even made it to the hospital, rumors about her and Maynard had already flooded the internet.

Stella called just as Briony finished her check-up.

Her ankle was badly sprained. She’d need at least a week to recover.

Maynard borrowed a wheelchair and gently lifted Briony into it.

Briony knew exactly what game he was playing, but a favor was a favor—she couldn’t just ignore it.

“All right. I’ll get in touch when I’m better.”

“Then I wish you a speedy recovery, Ms. Kensington.” Maynard gave her a wave and strode off.

…

On the drive back to Skybreeze Retreat, Cedric glanced over. “So, what’s going on between you and this Mr. Maynard?”

“Nothing. Strictly business partners.”

“He doesn’t look at you like it’s just business.”

“That’s his problem.” Briony’s expression didn’t change. “These days, a lot of guys see dollar signs when they look at me—they’re all hoping to leech off my success. I’ve learned to tune it out.”

Cedric gave a soft laugh. “You’re a lot more straightforward than you used to be.”

Briony let a faint, cool smile touch her lips and said nothing more.

Cedric eyed her, a pang of sadness in his chest. She really had grown stronger… but somewhere along the way, she’d built a wall around her heart.