Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

The moment the news broke, it instantly set the internet ablaze.

Within minutes, new gossip threads appeared online.

This time, it was photos of Briony and Maynard carrying baby Lori into a hospital.

A striking couple, arms full with a newborn-though Lori's face was turned away, the image was unmistakably that of a picture-perfect family.

Based on these photos, internet sleuths started piecing together a timeline: half a year ago, Briony had abruptly handed over management of Starlight Entertainment to Maynard, selling him five percent of the shares at a heavily discounted "favor price." Not long after, she'd vanished from the public eye. Now she'd returned to the company, baby in tow and Maynard constantly at her side. The mounting "evidence" left the public with only one conclusion: Briony and Maynard's relationship was all but officially confirmed.

Briony barely slept a wink that night. She was finally drifting off around five in the morning when her phone started ringing insistently.

It was Carey.

"Ms. Kensington, there's trouble!"

Briony's eyes snapped open. "What happened?"

"You and Mr. Maynard are trending online!"

Briony sat up in bed, but before she could respond, someone knocked at her door.

"It's me."

Kicking off the covers, Briony padded toward the door, phone pressed to her ear. "What's going on?" she asked Carey.

"You and Mr. Maynard were photographed together last night. The internet is convinced you're a couple now, and some are even saying Lori is your daughter!" Briony paused for a split second, then turned the doorknob.

Standing outside was Maynard, dressed immaculately in a suit, his expression grave.

He caught sight of her on the phone and frowned. "You've seen it?"

"Yeah." Briony spoke quietly into the phone. "Carey, I'll call you back in a bit." "Alright."

She hung up and took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Let me get changed. Wait for me outside," she said to Maynard.

He nodded and stepped back to give her privacy.

After closing the door, Briony quickly pulled up the news on her phone.

She didn't even need to search. Every headline, every trending topic was about her and Maynard.

Someone had clearly been stalking them—and this was no accident. It was a meticulously planned leak.

Briony's expression darkened. The first name that came to mind was Xenia Cooper.

She set down her phone, grabbed fresh clothes from her wardrobe, and changed. Five minutes later, she emerged, dressed and ready, having washed up quickly.

Maynard was pacing the suite, phone to his ear. "I don't care what it costs-get those trending topics taken down."

Briony approached him. "Maynard."

He stopped and looked up.

Her face was calm. "Don't bother trying to get the headlines removed."

"What?" Maynard ended the call,

standing up to face her. "Do you realize what this means if we leave it

up? Those gossip sites will spin

?.ne

anything for clicks. Now they're saying Lori is our child. I can handle it, but you're a woman. Your

reputation matters. Unmarried mother-if they decide to go after

you with that..."

"Lori's identity can't go public." Briony's eyes were steady. "Maynard, Lori is my daughter."

Maynard froze.

After a long moment, he wiped a hand over his face. “You mean you're accepting all of this?"

"Lori's mother is me. As for her

father,

make a statement-savet

road and had her via aeP

donor. I won't drag you into this..." noveldrama

"Don't be ridiculous!" Maynard cut her off. "If you're claiming Lori as your

daughter, then you're claiming me, too!"

Briony frowned. "She's not your child. Why would you do that?"

He shrugged, a crooked smile playing at his lips. "If you don't let me, I'll probably never find another woman care about. I'll stay single forever Might as well claim Lofas my own-at least when I'm old, I'll have a daughter to take care of me."

Briony didn't approve of his reasoning.

"Mr. Maynard, you're only thirty-six. You've got a long life ahead of you don't talk

like it's all set in stone."