After they got in the car, Stella unscrewed her insulated bottle and handed it to Briony. “Here, drink some warm water. With that injury on your head and another sleepless night behind you, your body’s going to give out if you don’t take care of yourself.”
Briony kept her gaze down and shook her head slightly, almost as if talking to herself. “Where do you think my mom could’ve gone?”
Stella pressed her lips together, at a loss for an answer.
From the back seat, Gina suddenly slapped her thigh. “Why don’t we just ask Attorney Wentworth?”
Stewart?
Stella turned to look at Gina. “Why would we talk to him?”
“We went to Attorney Wentworth’s office together yesterday morning,”
“What?” Stella was stunned. “Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”
“You guys… never asked.”
Briony looked over at Gina. “Why did my mom go to his office?”
“She was just bringing a New Year’s gift. But when we got there, Ms. Lockwood happened to be meeting with Attorney Wentworth, too. After a while, your mom told me to wait outside. I don’t know what they talked about after that…”
Briony clenched her hands. “Star, let’s go to the law office and find Stewart.”
“On it!” Stella started the car without hesitation.
The past few days had been hectic for Stewart–late nights at the office had become routine.
Rosita had just wrapped up filming her series, so with her schedule suddenly clear, she’d taken to dropping by the law firm almost every day.
That morning, she arrived bright and early, carrying a homemade breakfast. As she stepped out of her car, she caught sight of a white BMW parked by the curb. Rosita paused for a second, then looked away and strode gracefully into the building, heels clicking against the floor.
Rosita knocked on Stewart’s office door.
He was buried in paperwork, eyes fixed on the pages. Without looking up, he said flatly, “Come in.”
Rosita entered, walking straight to his desk.
She glanced at the intimidating stack of files, her brows drawing together. Her tone was gentle but carried a hint of reproach. “Another all–nighter?”
Stewart murmured a noncommittal response.
Rosita set the breakfast down in front of him. “Stewart, I know how much this case means to you, need to eat and keep a normal routine. At least pause for breakfast, okay?”
but you
still
“Just leave it there. I’ll eat after I finish these.”
Without waiting for permission, Rosita slipped the files from his hands and nudged the breakfast closer. “Eat first.”
Stewart’s brows knit in irritation as he finally looked up at Rosita.
14:24
Shopics UU
His face was as cool and impassive as ever, but there was an unmistakable flicker of impatience in his dark eyes. Interruptions during work were his least favorite thing.
But Rosita just smiled sweetly, tucking the files behind her back and tilting her chin up in mock defiance. “If you don’t eat, I’m calling Irwin to tell him you’re being a workaholic again. He specifically asked me to make sure you took care of yourself!”
At the mention of Irwin, Stewart gave in.
Massaging his brow, he let out a quiet sigh. “Fine. I get it.”
He picked up the breakfast and was just about to open it when there was a knock at the door.
Rosita glanced back and called out naturally, “Come in.”
Carl stepped inside. “Mr. Wentworth, Ms. Kensington would like to see you.”
Stewart paused, setting the breakfast aside, his tone immediately cool. “Let her in.”
Carl moved aside, holding the door for Briony and Stella. “Ladies, this way.”
Briony and Stella entered.
Stella shot Rosita a look, rolling her eyes so hard it was almost theatrical.
Briony, on the other hand, completely ignored Rosita. Her cold, steely gaze settled right on Stewart.
“Stewart, what did you say to my mom yesterday?”
Stewart’s eyes shifted to Briony, and for a split second, he froze when he saw her face.
She looked even worse than yesterday–so bad that any stranger passing by would instinctively feel a pang of sympathy.
A strange tightness gripped Stewart’s chest. He stood and moved over to Briony, his gaze dropping to meet her pale, withdrawn face.
Usually so distant and assertive, his voice softened unexpectedly. “What happened?”
Chapter 89
