James fixed his gaze on Ferdinand and asked, "What exactly is your rtionship with Mr. Seven?"


    He could see the suspicion in James''s eyes as in as day.


    Ferdinand offered a calm, gentle smile. "The important figure who brought me to Northborough as a doctor recently-that''s Mr. Seven."


    James frowned. "Mr. Seven''s not well?"


    "Right. It''s not cancer, but over the years he let his health slide, so he''s got all kinds of chronic issues."


    James''s frown deepened. "So what do you think of him as a person?"


    Ferdinand hesitated, then countered, "Mr. Dney, do you find Mr. Seven untrustworthy?"


    James was caught off guard. "Not exactly. It''s just that Dr. rke mentioned something about Mr. Seven in Astara the other day."


    "My rtionship with Mr. Seven is strictly professional. I don''t know much about his private affairs." Ferdinand paused, then added, "But I have heard he values talent, and apparently he doesn''t have much family-most of the money he makes goes straight into charity work."


    That much was true: Mr. Seven had an eye for talent.


    In fact, it was Briony''s painting that had caught his attention in the first ce; that


    was why his people had reached out with a business card.


    James felt his doubts ease, rubbing his brow as if physically dispelling the tension.


    Just then, his phone rang-Cedric rke.


    James answered, "Dr. rke."


    "How''s Briony?"


    "She''s got a minor lung infection. She''ll need to stay in the hospital for


    observation, but she''s going to be fine."


    Cedric let out a weary sigh. "I''m d to hear it."


    James didn''t feel relieved at all.


    "Dr. rke, Stewart took Bryn against her will during the divorce proceedings. That''s kidnapping, in and simple. I''ve already called the police-what Stewart''s done is a crime!"


    "I know he''s gone too far this time. But there''s more to this than you know. Stewart-he actually—"


    "Dr. rke, if you keep defending Stewart, then the next time we see each other, let''s just pretend we''re strangers. I always thought you had a good head on your shoulders, but after what Stewart''s done, I can''t believe you''re still making excuses for him."


    Cedric was silent for a moment. "I''m sorry. I know it''s toote to say anything now, but there''s something you need to pass on to Briony: Stewart promised her he''d go


    through with the divorce, and he will. He''s just not out of intensive care yet. The earliest he could be discharged is Tuesday."


    James scoffed coldly. "You expect me to believe that? If he''s so sick he needs intensive care, how did he manage to kidnap Bryn and run off to the coast?" "Briony stabbed Stewart."


    James froze.


    It took him a long moment to blink, still refusing to believe it. "Don''t be ridiculous. Bryn would never-"


    "It''s true," Cedric said, his tone grave.


    "She stabbed him square in the


    spleen. By the time he got to the hospital, he''d lost so much blood he went into shock. They had to remove his spleen. But the knife had been left in too long, and now he''s fighting a severe infection. He''s in bad shape."


    James fell silent.


    If Stewart died, then Briony...


    Suddenly, James realized just how serious things were.


    "Mr. Dney, I know what you''re worried about. But you can rest assured—no matter what happens to Stewart, Ms. Kensington won''t be held responsible. This will remain a secret, forever. That''s what Stewart wants, too."