Chapter 313
Briony glanced at the clock–already half past nine.
The kids really should be getting to bed.
She walked over, eyeing the three empty bottles of whiskey on the dining table. She wasn’t worried about them out of kindness; but if something happened while they were drinking in her house, she’d be the one in trouble.
“Gentlemen, it’s getting late. Time to head home,” Briony said, her voice crisp and no–nonsense.
At her words, Stewart arched a dark brow, his eyes slightly glazed and tinged red from the alcohol as he looked at Garry. With a faint, teasing smile he said, “Garry, you heard her. Time to go.”
“Me?” Garry chuckled. “Stewart, Ms. Kensington isn’t just sending me away, you know.”
Stewart’s lips curled. “We’re married–how could she possibly send me away?”
Garry let out a dry laugh and turned to Briony. “Ms. Kensington, do you agree with that?”
Briony had no patience for their drunken banter–especially since both men were clearly three sheets to the wind. She called Carl in directly.
When Carl saw Stewart, he was stunned. After working with Stewart for so many years, he’d never seen him drink this much. Stewart’s whole face was flushed red, and the bloodshot look
in his eyes was almost alarming.
Carl’s gaze flicked to the empty bottles on the table. He sucked in a breath–if anyone with a weaker constitution had drunk this much, they’d be on their way to the ER for a stomach pump. He walked over to Stewart, bent down, and spoke softly, “Mr. Wentworth, it’s late. Let me drive you home?”
Stewart didn’t move. He sat tall and still, long fingers idly turning an empty glass. He didn’t speak, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
Carl was at a loss.
Briony said flatly, “Drag him out if you have to.”
Carl hesitated. “…I really can’t.”
Seeing how unwelcome Stewart was, Garry let out a low laugh. “Stewart, never thought I’d see the day.”
Stewart didn’t reply, nor did he show any intention of leaving.
Briony closed her eyes, sighed, and gave up on dealing with them. She turned and walked to the living room, where Carol was sitting. “They’re both drunk and probably won’t be leaving anytime soon. Little Mario’s still sick–he can’t be staying up late. Do you want me to have a driver take
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you home, or would you both rather stay the night? There’s a guest room upstairs.”
Carol hesitated. “Wouldn’t it be too much trouble?”
“Not at all. I just need to put on fresh sheets and it’s ready.”
“Um…”
“Ms. Carol, you and little Mario should stay!” Little Nina chimed in from the side. “Tomorrow’s Saturday–I want to play with him!”
Hearing this, little Mario’s eyes lit up as well. He hurried over and tugged Carol’s hand.
She looked down at him, knowing exactly what he was thinking. “Little Mario, do you want to say something?” Carol knelt and gently rubbed his head. “Tell me, or I won’t know.”
Little Mario pointed to Little Nina.
“No, sweetheart–use your words.” Carol tapped his lips, patiently encouraging him. “Can you tell me what you want?”
Little Mario’s mouth opened and closed as he thought it over, then finally, slowly, he said, word by word, “I want… to sleep… at… Little Nina’s house… tonight!”
“Wonderful!” Carol’s eyes shone with excitement as she stroked his hair. “You’re amazing, little Mario! Then we’ll stay at Little Nina’s tonight!”
“Yay! Yay!” Little Nina clapped her hands in delight.
Little Mario joined her, giggling and clapping along, his dark eyes curving with joy, a spark of life shining through that made him look brighter than ever before.
Carol’s eyes reddened as she watched him.
She stood up, wiped her eyes, and turned to Briony. “I’ve been with him for so long, and I never thought he could make such progress in just a few days. Ms. Kensington, you and Little Nina really are little Mario’s lucky stars.”
“I can tell you care about him,” Briony replied, her impression of Carol growing even warmer. Carol always looked at little Mario with genuine love and concern.
Garry might have picked a shaky stepmom for the boy, but at least he’d found the right nanny.
Just then, Garry and Stewart suddenly stood up from the dining table.
Carl hurried over to help Stewart, but Stewart waved him off. Instead, Stewart and Garry threw their arms around each other’s shoulders, staggering out toward the front door.
Briony and Carol stared in surprise.
Weren’t they just at each other’s throats? How did they suddenly become drinking buddies?
Afraid the two would start fighting the moment he turned his back, Carl rushed after them.
A few minutes later, Carl returned, heading back into the living room.
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Chapter 313
Briony frowned. “They left?”
Carl gave a sheepish grin. “Not exactly.”
“What do you mean, ‘not exactly‘?”
“Mr. Wentworth and Mr. Ferguson decided to have tea in the garden. They want to sit outside and watch the moon.”
Briony was speechless.
“Sorry. They may be drunk, but he’s still my boss…” Carl hunched over, gathering up the tea set, and gave Briony an apologetic smile. “No matter how crazy the request, I’m just the hired help–I have to do as I’m told.”
Briony just shook her head.
Carol couldn’t help laughing. “I never imagined my boss had this side to him. He and Mr. Wentworth actually seem pretty close, don’t they?”
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