Briony arrived at the studio first and waited for half an hour, but Ferdinand still hadn't shown up.

A knot of worry tightened in her chest.

What if Ferdinand had changed his mind and gone to Skybreeze Retreat to see the children on his own again?

The thought made her uneasy, so she quickly dialed Ferdinand's number.

He answered, explaining that a last-minute crisis at work needed his attention and

he'd have to cancel their meeting.

Briony let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Maybe it was for the best-she didn't have to put on an act today.

The days slipped by in relative calm for the next two weeks.

On the last day of January, Briony traveled to Havenport on business.

A new actress from her company was starring in her first leading role and was buckling under the pressure. Several shaky performances had left the young woman on the verge of a breakdown.

As the boss, Briony didn't hesitate to rush to the set in Havenport.

Once there, she spoke with the rookie herself, guiding her with the gentle firmness of an older sister.

Encouraged by Briony's words, the newcomer regained her composure.

the young actress found her stride, and Briony's

she was preparing to head back

when Briony realized the investor was

they

to refuse, but Ferdinand gave her a

replied coolly. "I just

to

things too

a Western

Ferdinand was prepared-painfully so.

about his sudden appearance in Havenport, his investment in

was slipping further and further from his grasp. Today, Ferdinand had no intention of hiding his

drifted through the

had rented out the entire place, hired a violinist, and

scene,

is

at her,

I can't hold

want to

you for the rest of

ring and, in the next instant, dropped to

that Briony's mind went blank for

she shot to her feet and took a step back-too quickly, the chair scraped harshly across the

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