Briony''s Saturday was nothing if not productive.


    She started her day stopping by to check on the renovations at her new house, then headed over to her studio.


    Since she''de back to Northborough, old clients had begun to turn up again— most of them seeking her out personally.


    Restoring artifacts was Briony''s true passion; even though she now ran Starlight Entertainment single-handedly, she still prioritized the studio above all else.


    The building now belonged to her outright. With the studio''s business expanding, Briony was already nning ahead: once the lease upstairs expired after the New Year, she''d reim that floor and convert it into a gallery.


    But not a traditional one. She wanted tobine it with a training center, focusing on outreach-offering art education to people with special needs.


    It was a dream she''d carried for years.


    Little Mario had almost been diagnosed with autism, and the experience left a deep impression on her. Her son had been lucky, but she knew many children didn''t have the same good fortune.


    She understood her own abilities were limited, but with the opportunities and resources at her disposal, she feltpelled to do what she could-however much or little that might be.


    Motherhood had only deepened Briony''s belief that good deeds matter, and that by helping others, she was in some small way blessing her own two children.


    Justst week, the excavation team had unearthed several new artifacts-all porcin-which Carney promptly delivered to the studio for her and James Dney to restore.


    James''s skills had grown to match her own.


    Since giving birth to Little Nina, Briony no longer workedte into the night. With James as her partner, her workload had be much more manageable.


    At three in the afternoon, Briony got a phone call.


    It was the stuntwoman she''d met on set that day.


    They agreed to meet downstairs at the café.


    Her name was Karen Smith. Once, she''d been a celebrated star in Riverview''s action films—a professional through and through, both in skill and screen presence.


    In fact, Briony had recognized Karen the moment she saw her on set.


    She wasn''t one to follow celebrities, nor did she have much time for TV. The only reason Karen stood out in her memory was because of Crystal.


    Crystal had always excelled at martial arts, but her exaggerated stage presence never tranted well to the screen.


    When Briony first took over Starlight Entertainment, she''d considered signing Crystal to thepany.


    But Bill, after reviewing Crystal''s previous performances abroad, just shook his head and sighed—she wasn''t cut out for show business.


    It was hard enough for female action stars to make a name for themselves; for someone like Crystal, whose talenty solely in martial arts, breaking through was next to impossible.


    Still, Briony admired Crystal''s perseverance. Five years in the business-that had toe from genuine passion.


    She''d spoken to Crystal privately.


    To her surprise, Crystal had thrown her arms around her. "Boss, I''ll always be loyal to the littledy-please, don''t make me leave!"


    Briony could onlyugh. Once she was sure Crystal had no more ambitions in showbiz, she actually felt relieved-she wouldn''t need to find someone new to protect Little Nina.


    Karen looked nothing like the dazzling star she''d once been. In the café, she sat across from Briony, eyes dull and rimmed red. She must have been crying just before she arrived.


    Briony said softly, "I have a friend who really admires you. She trained for years to be an action star like you-even worked as a stunt double overseas for five years."


    Karen managed a wan smile. "That feels like a lifetime ago."


    She''d started her career at seventeen,ing from a single-parent home. Rising from anonymous stunt work a leadingdy hadn''t been just about talent-it took more than a little luck.


    Ten years ago, action films were all the rage in Riverview. Male stars shot to fame one after another, but the field was wide open for women-and Karen happened to be in the right ce at the right time.


    vet


    But luck neversts forever.


    Within just five years, the industry shifted; female action stars became a rarity.


    That year, Riverview was swept up in a craze for pce dramas, and her agency put her on ice.


    She stuck it out until her contract finally expired after eight years. Then Karen left for Northborough, bringing her mother along, taking bit parts in local productions and returning to stunt work.


    It was on set that she met her ex-husband. They fell in love and married within the year. There had been some sweet times-brief, but real.


    "I just want to find my child," Karen said atst, pulling herself from her memories. Her voice was thin and tired. "My ex-husband took my child and hid her from me. He has a history of violence, and I''m terrified helt hurt her."


    Briony''s expression darkened. "How many times did he hit you?"


    Karen thought back. "The first time was when I was about six months pregnant. After that, he hit me again right after I gave birth, and once more on our daughter''s first month. We argued over the christening, and he fashed out again. I was still holding our baby-he didn''t care. I tried to shield her, but he shoved me into the wall. I hit my head and ended up with a mild concussion. The baby''s cries brought the neighbors, and they called the police. At the station, he was all cooperation and apologies, even signed a written promise that he''d change. The police tried to mediate, and the baby was so little. I softened. I forgave him that time..."