A handsome man and a beautiful woman-together, they were a sight that could make anyone stop and stare.
Joe stood on stage, microphone in hand, giving Briony a grand introduction to the crowd.
As the majority shareholder and founder of Novalith Industries, Briony drew every eye as she made her way up to the stage with calm, measured steps.
She and Joe stood at the center, exchanging pleasantries and polite banter for the audience. Throughout it all, Briony maintained a gentle smile, her striking eyes asionally sweeping across the crowd. She never seemed to be looking at anyone in particr, but everyone felt as if she''d nced right at them.
That was when Stewart and Lorna arrived.
Stewart stopped abruptly, his gaze fixed on the poised woman speaking on stage. Lorna shot him a sideways nce, arching a brow with a sly smile. She leaned in, voice low and teasing, "Your ex-wife looks positively radiant after the divorce. Guess a bad marriage really does take its toll, huh?"
Stewart narrowed his eyes and shot her a cold look.
Lorna just whistled, unfazed. "Look at that-some tall, handsome guy is even helping her off the stage. Damn, those legs. That''s exactly my type."
Stewart gave a sharp, derisiveugh. "He''s into men."
"Oh, feeling a little threatened?" Lorna grinned. "I met him at Skybreeze Retreat, and trust me, he''s straight. The way he looks at your ex? Not exactly subtle."
Stewart said nothing.
Onstage, James offered his arm and escorted Briony down the steps with impable manners.
Briony exhaled quietly in relief and leaned closer to James, murmuring, "I didn''t make a fool of myself, did I?"
James grinned. "Rx. You were rock-solid up there, Bryn."
Only then did Briony truly rx.
James led her over to the buffet to find something to eat. Stewart and Lorna''s gaze followed them all the way.
When James went to get her a drink, someone else approached Briony.
It was Barrie brought over by Joe himself.
"Briony, let me introduce Mr. Lockwood from the Lockwood Group in Northborough," Joe announced.
Barrie offered Briony a ss of champagne. "Ms. Kensington, I''m a great admirer of yours. May I?"
Briony hesitated, meeting his eyes. The Lockwoods were people she''d rather avoid. But seeing Barrie here with Joe genuinely took her by surprise.
She offered a polite smile. "Sorry, I''m allergic to alcohol. My boyfriend went to get me some juice."
No sooner had she spoken than James returned, carrying two sses.
"All they had was watermelon juice and orange juice," he said, handing
her the orange. "The Walon''s a
bit
too cold-better stick with orange."
Briony epted the ss and smiled up at James.
James turned to Barrie, giving him a quick once-over. "And you are?"
"Mr. Lockwood from the Lockwood Group," Briony supplied.
James extended a hand. "Ah, Mr. Lockwood. Nice to meet you.”
Barrie shook his hand, a pleasant smile behind his sses. "I never would have guessed Ms. Kensington''s boyfriend was Mr. Dney. You two make quite the pair."
James gave a practiced, polite smile. "Thanks for thepliment, Mr. Lockwood. Hope you enjoy the evening."
Briony turned to Joe. "Joe, can you look after Mr. Lockwood? We''ll be heading out now."
Joe blinked in surprise. "Leaving already?"
"We''ve made our appearance. That''s enough," Briony replied, turning to James. "Let''s go."
"Sure." James ced a reassuring hand at her waist, steering her toward the exit. Behind them, Barrie watched their retreat, idly swirling the wine in his ss, his eyes cold and calcting.
Across the room, Stewart''s gaze fixed on James''s arm around Briony as they walked away. His jaw
tightened, the look in his evvel
growing darker by the second.
Then, with a sharp crack, the stem of the winess in Stewart''s hand snapped.
Lorna stared. “Just a friendly reminder-that''s your ex-wife. She''s single now, and dating isn''t a crime... Hey! Where are you going?!"