Chapter 406 Rosita blurted out, "Ottilie gaveall those scores-she was the mastermind!" But on the other side, Ottilie insisted that while she'd found the music, it was Rosita who'd cup with the idea and supplied the means to enter the competition.
No matter how they tried to shift the blame, the facts wouldn't change.
Ottilie and Rosita had, without question, stolen intellectual property and made millions from it. The severity of their actions met the threshold for criminal detention.
Briony was determined to press charges. She handed everything over to her lawyer and her agent, Bill, to handle.
But theft wasn't the only thing Rosita and Ottilie were facing. Buried in their contracts was a clause: if their personal actions led to an irreparable collapse of their public image and caused significant loss to the company, they were liable for triple liquidated damages.
Back when they signed, Rosita and Ottilie had only had eyes for the hefty signing bonus-the fine print was the last thing on their minds.
Only now did the trap becobvious. The company had been waiting for them to fall in from the very start. The case went to court. As the plaintiff, Briony refused any sort of private settlement.
If no one posted bail for Rosita and Ottilie before the trial, they would remain in custody at the police station. The incriminating video of Lauren had been arranged by Briony, who'd paid her five million for the recording. Of course, Mr. Seven's help was indispensable-his people were the ones to make contact with Lauren. Briony reviewed the footage in advance. While it exposed Rosita, it also revealed that her relationship with Stewart had been broken for years, fanning the flames of public opinion.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut the final risqué segment was something Briony hadn't anticipated. That, apparently, was Mr. Seven's little "bonus." This time, Mr. Seven had hired an elite international hacker to take over the control room's system. No matter how much clout Stewart had, there was no way to stop the video from spreading.
After all, the talent show was the talk of the nation.
For three days straight, the scandal was all anyone could talk about. "Rosita," "Stewart," "Ottilie," and "Mrs. Wentworth"-these names dominated trending lists on every major platform.
In the days that followed, Briony barely left the house, and even arranged for Little Nina to take toff from school.
Mother and daughter holed up at Skybreeze Retreat, waiting for the storm to pass.
During this time, little Maand Marlene stayed with them. Little Nina missed school, but she had little Mafor company.
The two children spent their days in carefree happiness, oblivious to the tangled betrayals of the adult world.
A week later, Garry Ferguson arrived unexpectedly.
When he saw Briony, he gave a faint smile. "Ms. Kensington, I'm sorry for imposing on you all this time. Thank you for looking after my son. My work here is finished, so I'll be taking little Maback to Westenmar today." Briony glanced at little Mario, feeling a pang of reluctance.
"How is he? What did Dr. Ellsworth say?" she asked.
"He's doing very well," Garry replied with an easy smile. "You seem to care about my son quite a bit, Ms. Kensington." "No mother likes to see a child suffer. Besides, little Mareally is a sweet and thoughtful boy." She hesitated, then asked, "Have you heard about what happened with Rosita?" Garry arched an eyebrow. "Are you asking if I'll protect her?" "Will you?" "That's a family matter, Ms. Kensington. No need for you to worry." Briony frowned.
Upstairs, Marlene finished packing and cdown with her suitcase.
Little Maand Little Nina said their goodbyes.
Little Nina clung to little Mario, hugging him for a long time, silent.
Little Madidn't say a word either.
Both children's eyes grew red.
Garry picked up little Maand headed for the door. As he passed Briony, he stopped abruptly.
He looked at her and, out of nowhere, asked, "Is there any chance you and Stewart will get back together?" Briony was caught off guard by the question. But her answer was immediate. "No." Garry smiled, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes. "Good. That's exactly what Stewart deserves." As Briony watched Garry carry little Mato the car, a strange, indescribable sadness began to spread in her chest.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe car pulled away from Skybreeze Retreat.
Little Nina cover and tugged at Briony's sleeve. "Mom?" Briony knelt down and scooped her daughter up, stroking her cheek. "Little Mario's just gone home, Geetheart. He'll visit again when he can." Little Nina said nothing, resting her head quietly on Briony's shoulder.
Briony sighed softly and carried her daughter back inside.
Life soon returned to its usual rhythm.
The case was in good hands-Lawyer Hughes and Bill kept a close eye on every detail.
Rosita was almost certain to serve
time. As for Ottilie, if the Kensington family decided to intervene, shem might just have to pay a hefty fine and avoid criminal charges altogether. Meanwhile, Stewart had vanished from sight as if he'd evfrom Northborough. It was completely out of character.
Briony and James stayed vigilant, convinced Stewart was plotting! something in m the shadows.
Then, one day, Briony received an express delivery.
Inside was a divorce agreement.
At the bottom was Stewart's signature, written in his own hand.