Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 457

Once they stepped out of the ballroom, James immediately let go of her hand.

He tugged off his bow tie with a dramatic sigh.

"God, I'll never get used to dressing up like this. That bow tie was strangling me, you know?"

Briony looked at him with a fond smile, the way one might look at a younger brother.

"You reacted pretty quickly back there."

She'd only claimed James was her boyfriend on a whim, mostly because Barrie's gaze had become far too predatory for comfort.

"That Barrie guy is trouble, you could tell right away!" James scoffed, "I noticed the way he was looking at you even when you were giving your speech! Guy's a total creep. What, does he think those glasses hide what he really is? Please."

He added, almost spitting the words, "Honestly, the whole Lockwood family gives me the creeps."

Briony nodded in agreement.

"I was just surprised he knows Joe," she said, her expression turning serious. "I need to find some time to ask Joe how they met."

"Definitely," James said. "And you should warn him—not to get involved with Barrie, business or otherwise."

Briony nodded again.

They walked toward the elevators together.

It was late, and they'd already booked rooms upstairs; they planned to stay the night and head back to Northborough in the morning.

the elevator doors opened, Briony stepped in first, James following

ballroom, the elevator doors had already

rushed after him, grabbing

Barrie's still

staring at the closed elevator, his

"She's with James now..."

her side for over four years. Now she's divorced, it's only natural he'd finally have

slumping as

was almost pitiful, the way despair seemed to drain the life

eyes

was kidding. They booked two separate rooms for the night-l

her a look sharp

rolled her

planning to haunt Briony from beyond the

lips together, silent. His lack of response said it

shook her head. "You're worse

know I don't deserve her,"

said, voice hoarse, eyes

her with another man

can't control myself." But

and

"I dropped a multimillion-dollar deal overseas to come back here, I'm not here to watch you pine. Come on, let's go have

drew a slow, steadying breath and straightened

he opened his eyes again, they were cold and

looping her arm through his and playing the