Ferdinand gently patted the little girl's head, his voice warm. "You're welcome."
Then he turned to Briony. "Could we talk for a moment?"
Before Briony could answer, James slid over with a grin.
"Come on, Mr. Ellsworth, that's not fair. We're all friends here--what could you possibly have to say to Bryn that we can't hear?"
Ferdinand's gaze settled on James. "Sorry. It's a private matter."
James glanced at Briony for confirmation.
She pressed her lips together, letting out a quiet sigh. Looking at James, she said, "Why don't you take Little Nina upstairs? Crystal should be home soon, ask her to help Nina with a bath."
The mood had clearly shifted.
James looked annoyed but knew better than to push at a time like this. He scooped up Little Nina and headed inside.
Cedric Clarke, Briony, and Ferdinand remained in the
eyes landed
hand froze mid-movement as
obvious he was the
you to your conversation-I should get back to my wife and
thank you, then walked to the garden pavilion and sat down at the tea table, looking across at Ferdinand.
over and took the seat opposite
was whistling softly, steam curling from
looked Ferdinand
longer trusted him—and he knew it was
point where he had no
Group's shareholder meeting is
said, his tone grave. "Bryn, your vote is
eyes remained cool. "Ferdinand, we've known each
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!