After she sent the message, Briony didn''t bother waiting for a reply. She made her way to the lounge, stretched out on the couch, and drifted off to sleep.


    When she woke up from her nap, it was already half past two.


    She washed her face, left her office, and headed back into the restoration room.


    It wasn''t until her work was done that Briony remembered to check if Stewart had replied.


    He had.


    *I''m on a business trip in Silveridge. I''ll be back in a couple of days-let''s set a time then.*


    Briony read his message and didn''t see any need to respond.


    As James was leaving for the day, he paused at her door. "Did Stewart say when he''ll be back?"


    Briony answered honestly. "He said he''s away for a couple of days, but we''ll talk when he''s back."


    James nodded, "I believe him. The professor mentioned yesterday that there''s an artifact overseas that''s about to get tied up in awsuit. The legal team is out there meeting with Professor Thornton to discuss strategy."


    "Alright, then we''ll just wait a couple more days," Briony said.


    "Come on, let me give you a ride home."


    "No need, you go ahead-I drove myself this morning."


    At that, James just shrugged. "Alright, then. Drive safe, okay? It''s only a mile or two, but still-watch the road! Our goddaughter''s counting on you, you know!"


    Briony couldn''t help but sigh. "You''re actually fussier than Star."


    James just waved her off, unfazed. "See you tomorrow."


    Briony gathered her things and headed downstairs.


    The moment she stepped out of the building, a sleek Rolls-Royce pulled up at the curb.


    Garry climbed out from behind the wheel.


    Briony spotted him, her brows pinching together in annoyance, but she kept walking toward her own car.


    He followed.


    She unlocked her door, just about to open it, when his voice came from behind


    her. "Why the rush, Ms. Kensington? Are you running away from me?"


    She stopped, pressed her lips together, and forced herself to keep her irritation in check before turning to face him.


    "Is there something you need, Mr. Ferguson?"


    Garry seemedpletely unfazed by her chilly reception.


    "Did you get the flowers I sent?"


    "Mr. Ferguson, please don''t send flowers again." Briony''s tone was frosty. "I never keep them. They just end up brightening the downstairs café instead."


    To her surprise, Garry actually grinned. "Well, at least they passed through your hands. That''s good enough for me."


    Briony could hardly stand his smug attitude.


    "Mr. Ferguson, we barely know each other," she replied icily. "And I have no intention of changing that."


    Garry just shrugged. "That''s a shame. I''d actually like to get to know you better, Ms. Kensington. Honestly, you''re exactly my type-looks, personality, the whole package. The flowers? They''re just my way of letting you know I''m interested."


    Briony''s expression hardened. "Sorry, Mr. Ferguson, but you''re not my type. Please respect that and stop sending me things. I don''t want them, and frankly, it''s an inconvenience."


    He raised an eyebrow, undeterred. "Come on, I''m not exactlycking in the looks or charm department. Or is this about Stewart?"


    Briony actuallyughed at that, exasperated. "Do I really need to be in love with someone else to turn you down?"


    He gave a half-smile. "What else could it be?"


    "So you''re ying dumb now?" Briony shot back, her voice t.


    She pulled her car door open and met his gaze with a cold stare. "Fine, I''ll spell it out-there''s nothing about you that interests me. Please stay away."


    ...


    Her white BMW merged into the flow of city traffic.


    Garry remained where he was, a knowing smirk on his lips. "Guess spending a little time abroad with Stewart gave her a new attitude," he mused to himself.