Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 168

After hanging up, Briony set her phone aside and went to take a shower.

About fifteen minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom in her pajamas. Her phone was buzzing on the bed.

It was James calling.

Briony answered, "Did you get it done?"

"Something's wrong."

James sounded serious on the other end. "I contacted several news outlets, even reached out to some PR accounts, but the moment they heard Stewart's name, they all refused."

Briony frowned. "Not even if we pay extra?"

"They didn't even ask about the price. Stewart clearly got to them first."

Briony had expected it wouldn't be easy to leak anything online, but she hadn't anticipated this level of resistance.

She'd assumed, at worst, it would play out like before—she'd expose Stewart, and he'd scramble to bury the trending news, erasing every trace.

She'd been counting on that brief window before he managed to cover it up.

But Stewart had already sealed off every avenue. He hadn't left her a single chance.

a story about Ms.

beat, a wave of dread washing over

spreading the rumor that your mom killed your

rose, panic edging her words. "My mom suffered years

just think it's odd. Ms. Hudson wasn't a

for years. Suddenly, this story pops up and starts trending- someone's definitely trying to

Briony froze.

it have

on James

times before he picked

to speak. Her tone was cold, accusing. "Is that story about my

Stewart didn't answer.

silence said

would you do this? Stewart, my mother is dead! Are you so heartless you'd use

to accuse

to

it," Stewart said, unfazed. "But you after I gave you three days to think, you come home and try to buy a hit piece on me? Briony, you're so naïve. Do you really

her lips

letting out a low, humorless laugh. “And I warned you-you can't outplay me

to teach me a lesson, you decided to drag my mother through

quickly as it popped up. All you have to do is agree to my terms, and I'll make everything