As soon as Stewart appeared, the Kensingtons instantly wilted.
Five years ago, Stewart had personally taken on Julia’s defense in court, and the Kensingtons had lost so badly they were still haunted by it to this day.
Mack shot Briony and Julia a vicious glare before turning on his heel.
“Grandmother, there’s plenty of time. We don’t have to settle this right now,” he said.
Madeline and the rest of the Kensingtons were clearly unwilling to back down, but in truth, they were all wary of Stewart.
“Let’s just consider today a warning for that ungrateful mother and daughter,” Madeline spat. “We’ll have plenty of chances to deal with them later!”
The other Kensingtons eagerly echoed the matriarch’s words.
With Mack steadying Madeline, the Kensingtons made their exit, slipping away down the other hallway.
Watching them retreat in such a hurry, Stella let out an incredulous laugh. “What a bunch of cowards–they only pick on people weaker than themselves!”
In fact, from the moment Stewart had entered, he hadn’t said a single word to the Kensingtons–not even a glance in their direction.
To Stewart, the Kensingtons simply weren’t worth his attention.
He merely gave Briony a brief, indifferent look before turning to Cedric Clarke. “Do you know them?”
Cedric gestured toward Stella, a friendly smile on his face. “Just ran into someone I know.”
and Cedric worked at the same hospital, though in different departments.
Cedric Clarke was a leading oncologist–renowned, respected, the sort of man every woman at the hospital (Stella very much included) admired from afar. Stella herself was a much newer face, having just passed her probation in the OB–GYN department last year.
Still, Cedric was always warm and gentlemanly, with refined features that made him the resident heartthrob. Stella had volunteered on a few outreach trips with him–enough to count as acquaintances.
She’d never guessed, though, that Cedric and Stewart actually knew each other, and seemed to get along quite
well.
Stella glanced over at Briony.
Briony was watching Stewart, her face calm on the surface, but her tightly pressed lips betrayed the storm
inside her.
She’d made up her mind to let Stewart go, but of course, it wasn’t that simple. Feelings didn’t just vanish because you willed them away.
The moment Stewart appeared, Briony’s gaze was drawn to him, as if she couldn’t help herself.
Stella sighed quietly to herself.
Love really is… lethal.
Julia recognized Stewart at once.
“Mr. Wentworth.”
At the sound of her voice, Stewart looked over, and for a moment, his gaze lingered–almost idly–on Briony
beside her.
15.12
Chapter 2
The instant his eyes met hers, Briony’s lashes fluttered and her whole body tensed,
Julia hadn’t expected to see her benefactor on the very day she was released from prison. Overcome with emotion, she stepped forward and offered Stewart a deep, grateful bow,
“I never had a chance to thank you all these years, Mr. Wentworth. If not for you, there wouldn’t be this reunion between my daughter and me!”
Stewart regarded Julia with a reserved, unreadable expression.
“You’re too kind, Ms. Hudson. I was only doing my duty.” His voice was low and distant, all formality.
Briony’s hand, hanging at her side, curled into a tight fist.
The words “Ms. Hudson” stung like needles, the ache in her chest far worse than the burning pain on her bruised hand.
“Stewart?”
Rosita stepped out from the private dining room, taking in the scene before tilting her chin up to look at Stewart, her expression innocent. “Is something going on?”
The moment Rosita appeared, every trace of color drained from Briony’s face.
Julia, noticing how utterly well–matched Rosita seemed to be with Stewart–both in looks and bearing–smiled and said, “You must be Mrs. Wentworth. Mr. Wentworth is accomplished, and clearly he has excellent taste in choosing his wife!”
