Little Mario nestled quietly in Briony''s arms.


    He understood, really.


    Carol had told him long ago-his father was Stewart, and his mother was Briony.


    Though little Mario was small and hardly spoke, he understood more of the adults'' conversations than anyone realized.


    After the paternity results came back, Stewart had reached out to Carol in private, asking her to help prepare little Mario for the truth.


    Carol wanted what was best for the boy. Long before tonight, she''d been guiding andforting him, gently helping him ept the changes ahead.


    Stewart nced at Carol and gave her a nod of gratitude. "Thank you."


    Carol sniffled, watching Briony finally reunited with her son. Relief washed over her, the weight she''d carried for so long finally lifted.


    "Mr. Wentworth, you don''t need to thank me. I only did it out of love for little Mario. This wasn''t for you-it was for him, from the bottom of my heart."


    Garry, listening from across the room, let out a coldugh. "Well done, Stewart. Seems there''s nobody you can''t win over-not even my own people."


    Stewart''s dark eyes cut to Garry, cool and unflinching. "Garry, people''s hearts can''t be bought. That''s the hardest truth of all."


    He''d persuaded Carol not by force or money, but because she was a kind soul who truly cared for little Mario.


    Garry''s expression darkened, a scowl settling over his features.


    Stewart''s gaze flickered toward Briony, who was sobbing into her son''s hair, and for a momentpassion softened his eyes.


    But only for a moment. When he looked back at Garry, his gaze was ice. "Let them go."


    Garry stared at Stewart for a long beat, then curled his lips into a cold smile. "Fine. Have it your way."


    His secretary nced at him in surprise.


    Garry slumped back on the couch, narrowing his eyes. "Do I need to repeat myself?"


    "Understood," she replied crisply.


    She walked over to Briony and said gently, "Ms. Kensington, you''re free to leave."


    James knelt beside Briony, his voice low and soothing. "Bryn, let''s take little Mario home."


    Briony wiped the tears from her cheeks and nodded. "Alright."


    She clung to her son, refusing to let anyone else carry him—not even James.


    Carol, having helped Stewart, had effectively betrayed Garry. Stewart knew he owed her and insisted shee along too.


    Garry had already let little Mario go; he certainly wasn''t going to keep Carol.


    With a wave of his hand, he dismissed her. Carol exhaled in relief and hurried to join Briony and the others.


    As Briony passed Stewart, little Mario called out softly, "Dad." Briony hesitated.


    Stewart ruffled his son''s hair with gentle


    femile. "Be good for your mom, alright? I''lle for youel


    few days."


    Briony''s brow furrowed.


    So he didn''t n for their son to stay with her permanently.


    But there was no time to argue now-the only thing that mattered was getting little Mario safely away from here.


    Briony gripped her son tighter and walked out without looking back.


    James paused beside Stewart, a


    note


    are concern in his eyes. “Stewart,


    sure you''ll be alright on your own?"


    Stewart was a little surprised by the gesture. Take care of them," he said quietly When you get to


    Northborough, contact Cedriol.ne


    rke. Have him give little Mario a full check-up."


    James nodded curtly and left with the others.


    The secretary personally escorted Briony and herpanions to the airport.


    It was only when the ne finally took off that Briony''s taut nerves began to unwind.


    She looked down at little Mario, tracing his soft, innocent face with trembling hands.