Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Rosita blurted out, "Ottilie gave me all those scores-she was the mastermind!"

But on the other side, Ottilie insisted that while she'd found the music, it was Rosita who'd come up with the idea and supplied the means to enter the competition.

No matter how they tried to shift the blame, the facts wouldn't change.

Ottilie and Rosita had, without question, stolen intellectual property and made millions from it. The severity of their actions met the threshold for criminal detention.

Briony was determined to press charges. She handed everything over to her lawyer and her agent, Bill, to handle.

But theft wasn't the only thing Rosita and Ottilie were facing. Buried in their contracts was a clause: if their personal actions led to an irreparable collapse of their public image and caused significant loss to the company, they were liable for triple liquidated damages.

Back when they signed, Rosita and Ottilie had only had eyes for the hefty signing bonus-the fine print was the last thing on their minds.

Only now did the trap become obvious. The company had been waiting for them to fall in from the very start.

The case went to court. As the plaintiff, Briony refused any sort of private settlement.

If no one posted bail for Rosita and Ottilie before the trial, they would remain in custody at the police station.

The incriminating video of Lauren had been arranged by Briony, who'd paid her five million for the recording.

Of course, Mr. Seven's help was indispensable-his people were the ones to make contact with Lauren.

Briony reviewed the footage in advance. While it exposed Rosita, it also revealed that her relationship with Stewart had been broken for years, fanning the flames of public opinion.

But the final risqué segment was something Briony hadn't anticipated. That, apparently, was Mr. Seven's little "bonus."

This time, Mr. Seven had hired an elite international hacker to take over the control room's system. No matter how much clout Stewart had, there was no way to stop the video from spreading.

After all, the talent show was the talk of the nation.

about. "Rosita," "Stewart," "Ottilie," and "Mrs. Wentworth"-these names dominated trending lists on

house, and

daughter holed up at Skybreeze

time, little Mario and Marlene stayed with them. Little Nina missed school, but she had little Mario

days in carefree happiness, oblivious to the tangled betrayals of the adult

week later, Garry Ferguson

he saw Briony, he gave a

son. My work here is finished, so I'll be

little Mario, feeling a

is he? What did Dr.

doing very well," Garry replied with an easy smile. "You seem to care about my son

sweet and thoughtful boy." She hesitated, then asked, "Have you heard about what

eyebrow. "Are you asking if I'll protect

"Will you?"

No

finished packing and came down with her

Little Nina

to little Mario, hugging

Mario didn't say a word

eyes grew

picked up little Mario and headed for the door. As

at her and, out of nowhere, asked, "Is there any chance you and Stewart will get back

the question. But her answer

satisfaction in his eyes.

watched Garry carry little Mario to the car, a strange, indescribable sadness began

pulled away from Skybreeze

and tugged at