"It's the same as what I said on the phone," Briony replied coolly.

She honestly had zero desire to see Stewart ever again.

But Stewart was insistent. "I've had a few drinks tonight, so I won't be going out. If you want to talk, come back to Southcreek Manor."

With that, the call ended.

Briony's grip on her phone tightened, her knuckles turning white.

Stella leaned over, concerned. "What did he say?"

"He wants me to go see him at Southcreek Manor. Face to face."

"What a jerk!" Stella scowled. "He's doing this on purpose, isn't he? You told him last time you'd never set foot in Southcreek Manor again, and now he's insisting you go there to negotiate? Could he be any more infuriating?"

Briony closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady herself.

The last time she'd been at Southcreek Manor, things had ended badly.

Right in front of Stewart, she'd told Irwin she would never come back.

Of course Stewart remembered. He was the type to keep a grudge.

Now he was forcing her to swallow every word she'd ever said to take it all back, one painful syllable at a time.

That was Stewart's real game.

"Bryn, are you... going?"

am." A hint of resolve flickered in Briony's eyes. "I've played the fool for five years already.

He only

"Alright."

settled the bill and left

the door of the next

bounced a small figure-Irwin, hopping and

Stella froze in

here was the

dashed ahead, waving his action figure in the air, not noticing the waiter pushing a cart

and shouted, panicked, "Careful, kid!

about to collide with the cart, Briony and Stella reached out at the same time-each grabbing one

Crash!

the floor, scattering

shock, motionless. It took him a moment to process what had happened. Then, seeing his

action figure! Mom bought it

hurried out from the

and Stella had already

moment Irwin saw Lauren, he ran straight

arms, sobbing. "Mom bought me that action figure

the scattered plastic on the floor.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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