NovelGoldChapter 459 After several days of soul-searching, Briony Kensington finally decided to stay in Northborough.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't right to keep living at Skybreeze Retreat with James Delaney. Sooner or later, James would get married and start his own family-her staying there could easily be misunderstood by outsiders. They were close as siblings, yes, but without any blood ties, it was all too easy for people to jump to the wrong conclusions.
She didn't want to complicate James's future, especially when it cto finding a partner. The solution was clear: Briony needed a place of her own.
She'd bought that riverside villa in Pearbrook four years ago, but it had sat empty ever since. The location was perfect-close to her design studio, and just a short drive from Little Nina's preschool. School drop-offs and pick- ups would be so much easier.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWith her mind made up, Briony started making arrangements for renovations. It was already June; if she pushed the schedule a bit, the work could be finished within six months. By next September, she and Nina would be all settled in.
When James heard about her plan, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Still, he understood her reasons and didn't try to argue. In fact, he took it upon himself to help Briony find a trustworthy interior designer and a solid construction team.
The Pearbrook house was huge, five stories including the basement. Renovating all that space wouldn't be cheap. Luckily, Briony hardly needed to worry about money. When her marriage ended, Stewart Wentworth had given her a billion dollars in cash, plus the deed to her entire stubuilding. With those assets, and all she'd earned in recent years, Briony was, by any measure, a wealthy woman.
Having a child to raise made her even more driven. Like most parents, she found herself caught in the endless cycle of working harder and harder, trying to earn more because raising a child was expensive, and she wanted to give Nina the best.
The entertainment company she'd acquired with Mr. Seven had recently taken a hit, thanks to the Rosita Lockwood and Ottilie Kensington scandal. Still, the penalty fees Rosita and Ottilie were forced to pay more than covered the losses. The company used the opportunity to sign a new wave of talent, and the signing bonuses were neatly offset by those spenalty payments.
Meanwhile, Mary had becthe company's rising star. Her quick wit and candor on the reality show "Timeless Treasures" especially her comeback to Rosita- had made her an instant hit. Briony decided to shift Rosita's former projects and resources to Mary, investing in her as the company's new leading lady.
Briony had been impressed by Mary ever since the last taping of the show. She was sharp, honest, and quick on her feet. After the filming ended, Mary had cover to ask for Briony's number, and the two had exchanged contacts. Briony, however, chose not to reveal that she was one of the company's major shareholders.
Since then, they'd kept in touch, chatting often. Mary was clever, perceptive, and a natural actress. As long as she stayed grounded and didn't get swept up in the chaos of the industry, Briony was sure she'd beca true star someday.
One afternoon, just as Briony was leaving the villa, she glanced at her phone and saw a message from Mary: Mary: [Briony, have you been in touch with Mr. Ellsworth lately?] Briony typed back as she walked to her car: [Mr. Ellsworth went back to the old town. Why?] Mary sent a frustrated emoji. [I've messaged him, and he's completely ignoring me!] Briony paused.
Was Mary interested in Ferdinand Ellsworth? Cto think of it, Briony and Ferdinand hardly ever chatted unless there was something specific to discuss. But during the last show, she'd noticed that he and Mary got along surprisingly well. Their personalities were opposites-one calm, the other lively-but maybe that was what made them click.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmFerdinand's family was always setting him up on blind dates; if things worked out with Mary, Briony 2ght, that wouldn't be a bad thing at all.
IMS She messaged Mary: [Wantto ask him for you?] Mary: [Yes, please! Briony, you're the best!] Smiling, Briony opened Ferdinand's contact.
[Mr. Ellsworth, are you busy?] He replied within seconds: [Not at all. Did you need something?]
[Not really,] she wrote back. [Just wanted to check in and see how e you've been.] Almost immediately, her phone buzzed-Ferdinand was calling.
She hesitated for a moment, then answered. "Mr. Ellsworth." His voice was warm, gentle. "Bryn, I'm happy you thought to check on me."
She blinked, a little surprised.
Ferdinand's tone was different from was usual-mare personal.
Before she could reply, he spoke again. "I heard that on the day of your divorce Names sent you flowers." He paused, then added, "I wonder if it's too late to say congratulations." "It was for the best," Briony said, her lips curving into a small smile, "So novations are in wont belongs to swing
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