Within a week, the scandal of Mary giving birth overseas faded quickly.

During that time, Starlight Entertainment's new faces took advantage of the situation, grabbing the spotlight and building up a fresh wave of buzz.

Mary's personal drama did impact Starlight's reputation, but the newcomers' momentum all but neutralized it.

Starlight Entertainment remained securely in the industry's top ten.

Since that day, Ferdinand hadn't made another appearance.

Briony assumed he'd be staying in Nortia for a while, what with Mary's pregnancy and everything.

***

By mid-February, the snow in Northborough had finally stopped.

The weather was still bitterly cold.

After work one day, Briony received a text from Mary.

Mary: [Briony, I'm back in the country. Can we meet?]

Briony was caught off guard.

Why would Mary risk flying back while pregnant?

Briony: [If this is about terminating your contract, you can just talk to Bill directly.]

heading back to Nortia tomorrow, and honestly, I probably won't ever

Mary's mother's funeral?

knew a bit

in a poor rural

village was steeped in old-fashioned

were born to be sacrificed for the

only reason Mary ever escaped was

who secretly scraped together enough money to buy Mary a visa and a plane ticket out-money

used every penny she had to get her daughter out of that backward, suffocating place. She wanted Mary to have a

Mary was throwing all her hard-won freedom and career

there's nothing more dangerous

these days, she couldn't help

end, she

morning, Blair drove

getting out, Briony glanced over at Blair. "Has anyone ever

do you think

"My late husband."

Blair fell silent.

you took off your mask, I didn't really get a good look. Why don't you take it off now and let

I... I have scars. I'm not comfortable showing my face in public. Please don't

just going up to see a friend. Wait for me here and take your time to prepare yourself.

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

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