Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

The moment the news broke, it instantly set the internet ablaze.

Within minutes, new gossip threads appeared online.

This time, it was photos of Briony and Maynard carrying baby Lori into a hospital.

A striking couple, arms full with a newborn-though Lori's face was turned away, the image was unmistakably that of a picture-perfect family.

Based on these photos, internet sleuths started piecing together a timeline: half a year ago, Briony had abruptly handed over management of Starlight Entertainment to Maynard, selling him five percent of the shares at a heavily discounted "favor price." Not long after, she'd vanished from the public eye. Now she'd returned to the company, baby in tow and Maynard constantly at her side. The mounting "evidence" left the public with only one conclusion: Briony and Maynard's relationship was all but officially confirmed.

Briony barely slept a wink that night. She was finally drifting off around five in the morning when her phone started ringing insistently.

It was Carey.

"Ms. Kensington, there's trouble!"

Briony's eyes snapped open. "What happened?"

"You and Mr. Maynard are trending online!"

Briony sat up in bed, but before she could respond, someone knocked at her door.

"It's me."

Kicking off the covers, Briony padded toward the door, phone pressed to her ear. "What's going on?" she asked Carey.

Maynard were photographed together last night. The internet is convinced you're a couple now, and some are

immaculately in

of her on the phone and

phone. "Carey, I'll call you back in

took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Let me get changed. Wait for me outside,"

nodded and stepped back to give

the door, Briony quickly pulled up the news on

to search. Every headline, every trending topic

been stalking them—and this was no accident.

The first name that came to mind was

and changed. Five minutes later, she

the suite, phone to his ear. "I don't care what

Briony approached him. "Maynard."

and

face was calm. "Don't bother

ended

her. "Do you realize what this means if

Those gossip sites

?.ne

they're saying Lori is our child. I can handle it, but

Unmarried mother-if they decide to

you with that..."

public." Briony's eyes were steady. "Maynard, Lori