"Dr. rke."


    "Do you have a moment?" Cedric rke''s voice was low and steady. "Stewart asked me to bring you some documents."


    "I was just about to head back to Skybreeze Retreat."


    "It''s better if we handle this privately, just between us."


    Briony thought for a moment. "Then meet me at the café downstairs from my studio. I''m leaving from Orion House now."


    "All right."


    On her way back to the studio, Briony''s phone rang several times-Ferdinand again. She ignored the calls, letting each one go to voicemail, then added his numbers to her blocked list.


    She couldn''t shake the image of him at The Wentworth Group that day. The way heshed out was nothing like the Ferdinand she thought she knew. It made her wonder if the gentle, polished exterior he wore was only ever a mask.


    Maybe, beneath it all, he was just as vtile as his father, Fred. After all, the apple rarely falls far from the tree.


    As for the ten percent share, Briony was certain Fred had no intention of letting Little Nina inherit it. She had no desire to get caught in the crossfire of another family feud. She''d have to find the right moment to discuss what to do about those shares with Stewart.


    ...


    Briony parked on the street outside her studio and walked into the café


    downstairs. Cedric rke was already there, early by a few minutes. When he noticed her, he stood and gave a small wave.


    She crossed over and took the seat opposite him.


    "Would you like something to drink?" Cedric asked.


    "Just a lemon water, thanks."


    Cedric signaled a waiter and ordered an iced Americano for himself and a lemon water for her.


    When their drinks arrived, Cedric slid a man folder across the table to her. "Take a look."


    Briony opened it. There was quite a bit inside: two trusts Stewart had set up for the children, deeds for private property, cars, even the paperwork for a private jet and a yacht.


    Tucked in among them was a supplementary agreement.


    "This is a supplement Stewart drafted himself," Cedric exined. "He said there was an attached there


    use in your divorce agreement that doesn''t feel right anymore. He''s signed off on this-it cancels out the use. Once you sign and notarize it, it''ll be effective."


    Briony scanned the document. Just as she''d expected, Stewart had decided to remove the additional condition from their divorce settlement.


    She closed the folder. "Understood. I''ll have mywyer look it over, and if everything''s in order, I''ll get it notarized."


    "There are a few overseas properties as well-Stewart left them all to the children. Since they''re still young, you''ll need to manage everything for now. fit gets to be too much, Re said you can always entrust someone you trust to handle the sales."


    Briony gazed at the stack of paperwork, her expression unreadable.


    After a moment, she asked, "None of these assets are connected to The Wentworth Group, right?"


    "Rest assured," Cedric replied, "everything here is separate, all


    properly documented and nota


    There''s no link to The Wentworth


    ."


    Briony looked up, her eyes meeting his. "Where is Stewart now?"


    Cedric hesitated, surprised by how calm she seemed.


    Does she already know?


    He ventured, "Are you worried about him?"


    "I need to get in touch with him," Briony replied evenly. "I want to discuss Little


    Nina''s shares with him."


    Cedric paused, then said, "You can call him."


    "I don''t have his number." She wasn''t lying-Stewart''s number had never been in her contacts.


    "...Let me call him now. You can speak to him."


    "Okay."


    Right there at the table, Cedric dialed Stewart''s number and handed Briony the phone.