Briony had just about reached her limit. “I don’t have an aunt, and I certainly don’t have a sister. Please leave. If you don’t go now, I’ll have to call security to escort you out.”
Vivian’s face flushed with anger, and for a moment, she looked ready to snap back. But remembering why she’d come, she forced herself to swallow her temper and managed a brittle smile.
“Bryn, I know you’re still upset about your mother. I admit, what your uncle and I did back then was wrong. But we had no choice–the Kensington family was putting all sorts of pressure on us, and your mother… well, she did kill someone. You can’t really blame us for that, can you?”
Briony’s gaze was icy as she looked at Vivian.
She’d seen through everyone in the Hudson family years ago.
It didn’t take much to guess why Vivian had suddenly appeared today.
Whatever their reasons, Briony’s attitude toward them was never going to change,
“Hannah, please show this lady out.”
“Of course,” Hannah replied, stepping forward. “Ma’am, I’m afraid our boss doesn’t wish to see you. I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Vivian frowned at Briony, her tone tinged with indignation. “Bryn, I’m still your elder. Isn’t this a bit much?”
Briony didn’t even look at her. “Frankly, I think I’m being more civilized than you deserve. Hannah, please.”
Hannah reached out to guide Vivian toward the door.
“I can walk myself! Such disrespect for your elders,” Vivian grumbled, shaking Hannah’s hand off and storming out of the office.
Hannah sighed and followed her out.
Briony barely noticed the interruption.
Moments later, James returned from his phone call, his expression troubled.
Briony could already guess the outcome. “No luck, I take it?”
He shook his head. “As soon as they hear Stewart’s name, not a single lawyer’s willing to take the case. I knew Stewart was influential, but this is on a whole other level.”
Briony frowned, silent.
Five years ago, Stewart had already been a force to be reckoned with in the legal and political world.
Now, not just in Northborough–he’d become so powerful, there probably wasn’t a single lawyer in the entire country who’d dare stand against him.
“We’ll figure something out. Don’t worry,” James said reassuringly.
Briony nodded, though she knew in her heart that hiring a lawyer to file for divorce was a dead end.
“If it comes to it, I’ll expose him with a burner account. Clear my name first, then file for divorce. He cares so much about Rosita and Irwin–if the public turns on him, I doubt he’ll let them take the fall with him.”
James considered that. “It’s risky–if you go nuclear, you’ll hurt yourself as much as him. But if it gets you out, it might be worth a shot.”
A burner account? Briony turned the idea over in her mind. Desperate times, desperate measures.
Meanwhile, in a private hospital suite-
1/2
17:02
Chapter 142
Rosita had just been moved from the emergency room. She was still unconscious.
At noon, a housekeeper had found her after she’d swallowed a whole bottle of sleeping pills. They’d rushed her to the hospital for an emergency stomach pump.
Now she lay pale and motionless in bed, Stewart standing watch at her side.
A psychiatrist stood at the foot of the bed, delivering his report. “Ms. Lockwood has attempted to take her own life three times this week. Her depression is manifesting with physical symptoms now, and if this continues, I’m afraid things may get even worse.”
Stewart’s face was grim. “Hypnotherapy isn’t helping anymore?”
The doctor shook his head. “Her underlying issues remain unresolved. Even the best hypnotherapy can only provide brief relief.”
After a pause, the psychiatrist continued, “Mr. Wentworth, you might try speaking with Ms. Lockwood directly. During our sessions, I noticed she seems to have a deep longing for a wedding–something she’s fixated on.”
Stewart’s brows drew together.
A wedding?
He closed his eyes and clenched his fists in silence.
