Chapter 762

In the end, Briony did as Xenia asked.

It was eight-thirty in the evening when Maynard arrived.

Stewart was standing outside the hospital room, while Briony stayed inside with Xenia.

Maynard saw him and made no effort to hide his poor attitude. In a way, they were rivals for Briony's affection, even though Maynard had long been out of the running.

Maynard walked over, glanced at the closed door of the hospital room, and sneered, "Stewart, I really underestimated you."

Stewart gave a faint smile. “Losing to me is no great shame, Mr. Maynard."

"You're just using those two kids to keep Briony tied to you!" Maynard jeered. "Stewart, gratitude isn't the same as love. Even if Briony chose to get back together with you, don't get too cocky. In her heart, you're nothing but her devoted lapdog!"

Stewart raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "So what? At least Briony lets me be her lapdog. What about you?"

Maynard gritted his teeth.

"You say I'm using my children, but what about you?" Stewart's gaze sharpened on Maynard. "Didn't you use that child, Lori, to your own advantage? Little Nina and Mario are my and Bryn's flesh and blood. It's only natural for us as parents to consider them. But you? You exploited Xenia Cooper's jealousy of Bryn and Bryn's compassion for Lori."

Maynard frowned, about to retort, when the hospital room door suddenly opened.

Briony looked at the two men, the tension between them palpable.

"Mr. Maynard, since you're here, please go in," Briony said as she walked toward him. "This is a private matter between you two, so Stewart and I will step out."

Maynard's eyes were fixed on

Briony. He hadn't seen her in nearly two weeks. She had been busy, and though he had visited Starlight.

Entertainment a few times, hol ne

demeanor toward him had become even more professional than before. He was convinced she was deliberately keeping her distance for Stewart's sake Feeling resentful he hadn't wanted to keep making friendly overtures only to be snubbed. The one time he'd tried, he had ordered dessert and used it as an excuse to see her, but she had immediately brought up Xenia Cooper. Unwilling to get involved with Xenia, their conversation had ended on a sour note.

And now, tonight, she had called him herself. Even though it was still about Xenia, he had come.

He couldn't understand it. Xenia had repeatedly targeted Briony, yet after one suicide attempt, Briony seemed to have forgotten everything and was even acting as Xenia's advocate.

Looking at the woman before him, her expression calm and gentle, Maynard, for the first time in his thirty-six years, felt a sense of defeat and bitterness.

“Briony, you're always so soft-hearted with everyone else. Why are you so cruel to me?"

Briony offered him a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Mr. Maynard, Ms. Cooper is still very weak. Please be gentle with her. I'll be going now."

Maynard clenched his jaw, unwilling to let her go but powerless to do anything but watch as she and Stewart walked away side by side. Stewart did it on purpose, too just before the elevator doors closed he wrapped an arm around Briony's slender waist. The doors slid shut, cutting off Maynard's view.

Maynard raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. After a moment to compose himself, he pushed open the door to the hospital room and walked in.

Xenia was propped up in bed, the female caregiver feeding her some thin porridge. She had already managed half a small bowl.

Seeing Maynard, Xenia told the caregiver, "I'm done eating."

"Alright, I'll clear this up then." The caregiver was perceptive enough to see they had things to discuss. She quickly and efficiently packed up the tray and dishes making a swift exit from the room. The door closed, and the room fell silent.