Chapter 769

Her parents had died young, and it was her older brother who shouldered all the pressure, protecting her with all his might so she could grow into the proud, passionate young woman of the Cooper family. Though the Coopers were a family with a long history, Neonova Syndicate had started to decline after her parents' death. It was only when her brother took over that things began to improve. If not for the car accident, his name would certainly be renowned in the business world today. But after the accident, the internal strife within the Cooper family erupted. Factions fought for control, panic spread, and the company's stock became volatile. Xenia couldn't bear to see Neonova Syndicate carved up and devoured by those selfish vultures. She had to protect it-to protect her parents' and her brother's life's work.

As parents themselves, Briony and Stewart could understand Xenia's considerations. After hanging up, Briony sighed softly. "Xenia has had it rough. Her assertiveness and pride were probably forced on her by her circumstances."

"She's smart and strong, she's just always been too ruled by her heart."

Briony paused and looked up at him. Being watched by her like that, Stewart suddenly felt something was off. Briony stood up, her gaze soft as she looked at him. "Youthful love is often fiery and pure, and young women are prone to sacrificing everything for it. But after you've been through it..."

Stewart's back stiffened as he stared at the woman before him. A strange sense of unease washed over him.

Briony was still looking at him, a faint smile on her lips. "...you realize that love is just okay."

Stewart was speechless.

Briony covered her mouth with her hand and yawned. "I'm heading to bed. You should get some rest soon, too."

Stewart stood and grabbed her hand. His voice was low, tinged with a hint of grievance. “But didn't we agree to sleep with the children tonight?"

Briony paused, as if just remembering. "Oh," she said lightly. "In that case, go take a shower and come back down."

Stewart's brow furrowed. He wanted to say more, but Briony had already gently pulled her hand away and reached up to smooth

smooth his collar. Im

tired. Be quiet when you come in so

you don't wake the kids."

Stewart was left speechless again.

Briony returned to the room and took a quick shower. Since she didn't wash her hair, it didn't take

long. After applying her skincarenet

products, she lifted the covers and lay down. The door opened sof and Stewart tiptoed in. Only a small night-light was on in the room. Briony was lying on her side, her eyes closed as if she were already asleep. Stewart walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and leaned down to kiss her delicate cheek. Briony pushed him away. "Don't mess around. I'm exhausted."

Stewart fell silent.

"My side of the bed doesn't have a guardrail. You sleep next to Mario, so the kids don't roll off in the middle of the night."

That was a given. Seeing how truly tired she was, Stewart didn't have the heart to disturb her further. He pulled the covers up for her, then got up and lay down on the other side of the bed. The night-light in the room went out. In the darkness the mar wrapped his arm around his son's small body and closed his eyes. Although he was itching with desire, it was the first time the four of them had shared a bed like this. A different kind of contentment filled his heart. However, just before he drifted off, the words she had said earlier that evening echoed in his mind—'...you realize that love is just okay.'

His eyes snapped open. In the dark, the man's brow was tightly furrowed, his heart beating unevenly. He didn't know it then, but that pure, fiery love would become the unfulfilled wish of the rest of his life.