Briony knew right away-those weren''t books. They had to be urgent documents thepany needed Stewart to sign.


    So, Stewart was working from home now.


    "Once Daddy finishes his work, he''lle y with me and little Mario. He draws with us, and sometimes we y board games together. Oh, and Daddy teaches us how to write, too! Mommy, he writes your name so beautifully!"


    Briony paused, her heart tightening.


    "But," Little Nina''s voice dropped a bit, "I think Daddy might be sick."


    Briony lowered her gaze, looking her daughter in the eyes. "How do you know that, sweetheart?"


    "He coughs a lot, and I noticed these little marks on the back of his hand-like he got poked with a needle. When I asked what they were, Daddy said they were mosquito bites." Little Nina pouted, crossing her arms. "Hmph, Daddy''s not telling the truth. He still thinks I''m a little kid who''ll believe anything!"


    Briony''s expression grewplicated.


    It certainly seemed like Stewart''s health was in trouble.


    But clearly, Stewart didn''t want anyone to know.


    And honestly, it wasn''t the sort of thing that should get out. Not with how shaky things were at The Wentworth Group. If word spread that Stewart was sick, he''d be surrounded by enemies before he could blink.


    "Mom?" Little Nina tilted her chin, gazing up at Briony with wide, searching eyes. "Why did you and Daddy fight and split up?"


    Children are always children-especially one as sharp and curious as Little Nina. She was innocent, but nobody''s fool.


    She couldn''t grasp the tangled world of adults, but she could see in as day that Daddy cared about Mommy.


    She could also sense that Mommy didn''t want anything to do with Daddy.


    Briony didn''t answer her daughter''s question.


    Instead, she pulled Little Nina into her arms, her voice gentle and warm. "Little Nina, you just need to remember this: Even if Daddy and I aren''t together anymore, we both love you and little Mario just the same. That will never, ever change."


    Little Nina blinked. "I know, Mommy. I love both you and Daddy, but... I love Mommy the most."


    Briony tweaked her soft little earlobe. "I know, sweetheart."


    "But sometimes, when Daddy looks at me and little Mario, he just sort of stares off into space. He looks kind of... sad."


    Briony closed her eyes for a moment and sighed, helpless. "Little Nina, it''ste. Time for bed."


    "Okay." Little Nina squeezed her eyes shut. "Mommy, can I sing you a luby tonight?"


    A warmth bloomed in Briony''s chest. "Of course. Tonight, you get to tuck Mommy


    in."


    "Yay!"


    Briony switched off the nightlight, plunging the room into darkness.


    In the quiet, Little Nina''s sweet, gentle voice carried through the room as she began to sing her luby.


    Three dayster, the Wentworth Group''s annual shareholder meeting.


    After dropping Little Nina off at preschool, Briony drove straight to the Wentworth Group''s headquarters.


    She arrived at 8:40 AM sharp.


    Presenting a copy of her stock


    certifica


    at the front desk, she


    waited while reception notice swelongs to


    executive office.


    The meeting''s oue hadn''t been decided yet. For now, Stewart was still in charge.


    Within five minutes, someone came to escort her.


    Carl approached with a respectful nod. “Ms. Kensington, I''ll take you upstairs.”


    Briony nodded politely and followed Carl.


    The doors of the executive elevator closed behind them, and the car began its smooth ascent.


    Standing side by side, neither spoke at first.


    Briony turned over her thoughts, then finally broke the silence. "Carl, is Stewart sick?"


    Carl hesitated for a split second, then quicklyposed himself. "Mr. Wentworth''s had a stubborn case ofryngitises and goes, never seems to fully clear up."


    Briony didn''t buy it. "Little Nina told me he''s been getting IV drips."


    Carl''s face tightened, just for a moment.


    He''d guarded the secret from everyone but he hadn''t ounted for the boss''s own daughter!


    As Carl fumbled for a new excuse, suddenly, the elevator jerked violently.


    With a harsh nk, the lights went out, plunging them into darkness.


    The elevator dropped with


    112 speed for several


    then mmed to a


    halt


    a bone-jarring bang.


    Briony gripped the railing, frozen in ce.


    Pitch ck all around, she steadied her nerves and called out, "Carl, are you


    alright?"


    "I''m okay, Ms. Kensington. Are you hurt?"


    "I''m fine. Was that a power outage?"


    Carl tried to keep his tone calm. “Don''t worry, Ms. Kensington. Probably just a mechanical glitch."


    But in the darkness, Carl''s face was grim.


    He knew all too well: for the elevator to fail at a moment this critical... it could only mean trouble.