Briony''s brow furrowed as she watched Ferdinand, waiting for him to continue.


    "After my mother passed away, my father changedpletely. He said he wanted to erase Fiona from the Wentworth family records, then bury my mother in the Wentworth family mausoleum. He also hoped I would take Stewart''s ce as the heir to the Wentworth Group. He always saw Fiona as an interloper-he hated her, and by extension, Stewart too."


    Briony let out a coldugh. "Your father must have truly loved your mother."


    Ferdinand caught the sarcasm in her tone as he looked at her. "My parents met in college-they genuinely loved each other. It was Fiona who schemed her way in. She got pregnant and used every trick she could to force my father into marrying her. When my mother found out Fiona was pregnant, she was so furious she left the country. Only after she was abroad did she discover she was pregnant too... So, I''m actually two months older than Stewart."


    He paused for a moment before continuing, "The year Fiona gave birth to Stewart, my mother had me alone in a foreign country. Yearster, during a business trip, my father ran into her by chance and finally learned about me. He never loved Fiona, and she never loved him-their marriage was constant fighting. Eventually, my father faked his death in a ne crash to escape both the Wentworth family and Fiona. My mother''s name was Malvina Ellsworth. My father even changed hisst name to Ellsworth for her-he truly loved her."


    Briony pieced the story together in her mind.


    So, Fiona was the woman who came between them, using her child to seize the title of Mrs. Wentworth. Through it all, Fred''s heart belonged to Malvina. For her, he abandoned all the privileges and wealth of the Wentworth family-he even faked his own death to break free.


    Now, with Malvina gone, Fred med Stewart for not saving her when he could have.


    That''s why Fred now wanted Ferdinand to reim his ce in the Wentworth family-even to help him push Stewart out of the Wentworth Group.


    This was Fred''s revenge against Stewart.


    "These are your family''s issues, so it''s not really my ce to say much." Briony collected her thoughts and


    said, her voice calm, "But


    [n


    Fred''s


    devotion is clear. He once gave up everything for your mother, and now he''s willing to pave the way for you to return to the family. Ferdinand, in a way, you''re luckier than Stewart. At least you know both your parents truly loved you."


    Ferdinand''s face tightened, herst words striking a nerve. "Bryn, are you taking Stewart''s side?"


    "I''m not defending Stewart," Briony replied, a bitter smile touching her lips. "It''s just... I guess I understand, because I never had my father''s love either."


    People are like that—no matter how much they''ve suffered themselves, they can''t


    help but feel for others who''ve known the same pain.


    Briony picked up her cup and took a sip of coffee.


    Setting it down, she looked at Ferdinand. "In any case, thank you for telling me all


    of this. At least now I know the Wentworth family is heading for a storm."


    Seeing her reaction, Ferdinand


    hurried to reassure her, "Whatever


    happens in the Wentworth family, I


    promise it won''t affect Mario''s


    interests. You have my word."