Cedric rke fell silent, at a loss for words.


    Stewart cast a cool nce at Ste, then turned to Cedric. "Let''s go."


    Cedric pressed his lips together, shooting Stewart a look that said, "Hey, man, I tried." He watched as Stewart strode away.


    The Maybach had barely pulled out of the Skybreeze Retreat''s driveway when, just secondster, a Bentley rolled in.


    Briony was about to take her daughter upstairs for a bath when she caught sight of Ferdinand Ellsworth through the car window. Her brow furrowed slightly.


    Ferdinand stepped out of the car.


    Under the evening sky, the man''s crisp white shirt and tailored ck cks,bined with his refined demeanor, made him look every bit like he had stepped out of a painting-sharp features, gentle eyes, and an effortless elegance.


    Ste''s eyes lit up. She immediately raised her camera, snapping away in rapid session.


    "Wow, he''s gorgeous!" she gushed, hugging her camera. "Who is that? Absolutely first-rate. Mr. Dney, is he a friend of yours?"


    James cleared his throat, shing an awkward smile. "That''s Ferdinand-he''s a renowned doctor in the old town."


    "Oh, so you''re Ferdinand!" Ste stepped forward, eyes sparkling. "No wonder you''re top pick for Little Nina''s stepdad-what a waste if you don''t end up in Hollywood. I mean, just look at you—"


    Cedric rke couldn''t take it anymore. Face darkening, he marched over to the cradle and pulled his son''s tiny hand out of his mouth.


    "Waaah-!"


    Aster immediately erupted into a piercing wail.


    Cedric, triumphant, scooped his son up and did his best to soothe him. "Oh, don''t cry, little guy... Honey, the baby''s hungry-see how hard he''s crying?"


    “Huh? He just ate an hour ago. That can''t be right," Ste said, torn between her love for eye candy and her motherly instincts.


    She hurried over, put the camera down, and took Aster from Cedric''s arms. "You little rascal-Mommy was trying to admire a handsome man and you just had to act up, didn''t you?"


    Aster stopped crying, his teary eyes locked on his mom. But after a few seconds, he started bawling again-louder than ever.


    "Alright, alright! Mommy was joking. Hungry, huh? Let''s get you back to your room."


    Ste shot Cedric a re, then turned and carried their son inside.


    Cedric''s n had worked, and he was feeling pretty pleased with himself.


    He looked over at Ferdinand and waved him over. "Mr. Ellsworth,e have some tea!"


    Ferdinand gave Cedric a polite


    his


    CVoice calm and warm. "Sorry, Dr


    I''d like to have a w


    in private."


    As he spoke, Ferdinand walked toward Briony.


    Briony watched him approach, her expression frosty.


    Little Nina, on the other hand, was delighted to see Ferdinand. She stretched her


    arms out toward him. "Mr. Ellsworth!"


    Ferdinand smiled and reached down to scoop her up.


    Briony gazed at her daughter''s beaming face, her brow creasing with worry.


    Ferdinand had kept his past from her, and it was likely that his closeness with her these four years hadn''t been a coincidence. But the truth was, he had healed her daughter. If it weren''t for Ferdinand, Little Nina wouldn''t be as healthy as she was now.


    That alone made it impossible for Briony to shut him outpletely.


    Still, she had a feeling she knew why he''de at such ate hour-it


    had to be about the up our-ite


    meeting.


    Wentworth Group shelf


    Clearly, Ferdinand hadn''t given up on persuading her.


    "Little Nina, these are hawthorn candies I made for you. Next time you see Mario, remember to share them with him, alright?"


    "Wow! Thank you, Mr. Ellsworth!" Little Nina took the homemade candy, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she grinned.