Chapter 169
Stewart called Carl Wipe every piece of news about Julia off the internet. And while you’re at it, find out which accounts started those rumors about her,”
“Yes, sir.”
About half an hour later, Carl called back.
“Mr. Wentworth, we’ve taken care of all the stories about Julia. I also traced the rumor accounts–the same person is behind all of them. Garry.”
“I thought so,” Stewart replied coolly. “Keep a close eye on things online for the next few days. If anything happens, I want to know immediately”
“Understood.”
After the call ended, Stewart stood by the floor–to–ceiling window of his office. Beside him rested Briony’s unfinished portrait in ink and watercolor–a gift she’d started but never completed.
The night outside was quiet. Stewart gazed down at the blurred lines of the painting. Even though the features weren’t finished, he recognized himself right away.
He smiled, his deep voice blending with the darkness. “Briony, I have a surprise for you, too, I think you’re going to like it”
Briony hadn’t slept well last night, and when she woke up that morning, her head was still foggy. Several missed calls flashed across her phone screen–all from James.
She hesitated, then called him back.
He picked up instantly. “Finally! I was about to call Stella and ask her to check on you if you didn’t answer
soon!
“I must’ve fallen asleep by accident last night.” Briony tried to sound casual, but her voice was a little off. “Sorry for making you worry”
Tm just glad you’re okay. James paused, then added, “By the way, all those stories about you online–they’re gone
“Yeah.” Briony’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Stewart had them taken down.”
James was silent for a moment as it clicked. Then he swore under his breath. “Stewart is unbelievable. He even used Ms. Hudson to get his way!”
“James,” Briony closed her eyes, her tone serious and heavy, “I agreed to Stewart’s three conditions. In three days, I’m going with him and Irwin to Cloudcrest for a trip.”
James fell silent.
“I’m really sorry.” Briony continued quietly. “I let you down. I’m not as strong as I hoped I’d be.”
“What are you talking about?”
James sounded panicked. “You didn’t let me down! Sure, I’m mad–but I’m mad at Stewart, not you. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. You’re scaring me a little. You’re not getting depressed, are you?”
Briony blinked, then laughed weakly “No, nothing like that. I just feel bad, that’s all. You and Stella have been worrying about me so much lately.”
“If you said that to Dr. Joyner, she’d scold you for sure, you know that?”
Briony pressed her lips together in a reluctant smile.
1/2
Chapter 159
“Anyway.” James sighed, things are what they are now. All we can do is face them head–on.”
He brightened “Don’t just sit at home overthinking everything. Come by the studio today! Let’s meet Dr. Joyner for lunch, and the three of us can figure out the best way to handle this trip to Cloudcrest.”
Briony perked up, a little skeptical. “You have a plan?”
James gave a short laugh. “Of course! Stewart only said you had to go with him and Irwin, but he didn’t say your friends couldn’t tag along, did he?”
Briony’s eyes widened. Actually he hadn’t.
That afternoon, Briony met James and Stella for lunch. After a long discussion, they decided: when it came time for the Cloudcrest trip, James and Stella would join them as Briony’s support team.
Three days later, departure day for Cloudcrest.
Irwin had spent the last few nights with the Lockwood family. Early that morning, Stewart arrived at their house to pick him up.
Upstairs, Lauren was tucking a small box into Irwin’s backpack.
“Sweetheart, this is a present for your Mom Bryn, but you have to give it to her yourself, okay? And remember–don’t tell her Grandma picked it out for you, or she’ll never accept it!”
Irwin grinned and nodded hard. “Don’t worry, Grandma! I won’t say a word!”
