Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony never imagined that at thirty, she would become the prime target of every gold-digger and social climber in town.

She slipped out alone onto the balcony, craving a breath of fresh air.

Peter followed her out, balancing a plate with a slice of frosted cake.

He wasn't exactly new to show business-three years in, a handful of forgettable lead roles in period dramas, but nothing that ever made waves. By now, his agency had all but pushed him to the sidelines.

He'd pulled every string he could just to get an invite to tonight's party, all for a chance to make an impression on Briony.

"Ms. Kensington, it's matcha cream cake. I remember you said you liked it."

His voice was gentle behind her. Briony turned, glancing indifferently at the cake he offered before meeting Peter's eyes.

He was handsome enough, even by Hollywood standards-tall, soulful eyes, the kind of looks casting directors loved for brooding second leads.

Briony swirled the champagne in her glass. "Sorry, I don't eat sweets."

"But in your last interview, you said matcha cake was your favorite..."

"I was just making conversation." Briony looked him in the eye, her tone cool. "I know what you're after, but I'm afraid I'm not in the market for a boy toy. You'd better look elsewhere."

Peter's smile faltered.

polite nod, Briony turned and strolled back into

soon as she'd dodged one

Kensington, you're a hard

was none other than Maynard, CEO of

one of the city's most eligible bachelors. Thirty-five, single, strikingly

so for the sake of the partnership, Briony couldn't afford

glanced over

in from the balcony. "Ms. Kensington, you don't seriously go for those pretty boy

was a headache, Maynard was a

the subtlety of a

Briony had gotten a pretty good read on him:

a type," she replied lightly. "If there's chemistry, that's all that

of chemistry are you looking for? Whatever it is, I'll

flatter me, Mr. Maynard. I rushed here and haven't eaten yet.

straight for the buffet, helping herself to whatever looked good, ignoring Maynard shadowing

she went, he followed. A few wealthy guests tried to approach

react. One persistent man