Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

After Jason fired off his message, the group chat went quiet. No one replied. Jason: [Seriously? It's barely eleven, and you're all ghosting me?]

A few seconds ticked by...

Rosita: [Jason, can you not always take shots at Ms. Kensington like that?]noveldrama

Jason: [What did I say that was so wrong? I literally saw her last night at Moonlight with Mack and his spoiled buddies, and the next minute she's out grabbing a late-night bite with James!]

Rosita: [That's Ms. Kensington's private life. She can do what she wants. Talking behind her back like this isn't right.]

Jason rolled his eyes at his phone.

Jason: [Rosita, you've been sheltered by Stewart for too long. You have no idea- some women will stoop to anything to climb the ladder. If it gets them what they want, nothing's off limits!]

Rosita: [If you keep talking like this, Jason, I'm seriously going to get mad.] Jason: "..."

Was he really in the wrong here?

Briony had literally been photographed with Stewart, and Rosita still managed to say something so naïve? It drove Jason up the wall-she was just too innocent for her own good.

Did she really think he cared about Briony for his own sake? Sure, Briony was gorgeous, but she wasn't remotely his type. The only reason he bothered paying attention was for Rosita's sake. Otherwise, he wouldn't waste a second on Briony.

Too bad Rosita was so easily taken in by Stewart, she didn't have the slightest sense of self-preservation.

Jason glanced across the room at Briony.

He caught a glimpse of her lips curling in a soft, reserved smile at something James had said. There was something captivating about her-her features were gentle, beautiful in a way that was striking without being the least bit intimidating. Jason stared, caught off guard, his throat bobbing unconsciously.

"What are you looking at?" his girlfriend snapped, following his gaze. The moment she saw Briony, her face soured.

"Seriously, Jason? I'm sitting right here and you're gawking at another woman?"

Jason scowled, irritation flashing in his eyes. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Jason!" She slammed her fork down, her voice rising. "What's with the attitude? I just called you out, you can't even handle that? Apologize, or I'm going to get angry."

"So what if you do? I'm not here to baby you," Jason shot back, standing up with a sneer. "I'm bored. We're done."

His girlfriend stared at him, stunned. "What did you just say?"

"I don't like drama queens." He lit a cigarette, smirking as he spoke around it. "Honestly, I thought you'd keep my interest for at least a month. Clearly, I overestimated you."

She was speechless.

"If you want the breakup compensation, talk to my assistant. He'll wire it to you."

With that, Jason waved her off and strode away without a backward glance.

His girlfriend just stood there, frozen in disbelief before abruptly snapping out of it and running after him.

"Jason! Jason, please, I don't want to break up—!”

Other diners turned to stare at the unfolding breakup scene-including Briony and James.

James, always curious and a bit green, leaned over. "Jason? As in, Jason Prescott? Don't tell me he's from the Prescott family-one of Northborough's top four old-money houses?"

Briony swallowed a bite of fish cake and nodded. "That's the one."

James blinked. "My grandfather's on good terms with Jason's grandfather. When I came to Northborough, Grandpa even told me to stop by and pay my respects to the elder Mr. Prescott if I got the chance."

Briony looked over, mildly intrigued. "Who's your grandfather?"

"Jewell Delaney."

Briony's eyebrows shot up. "You mean Jewell Delaney, the national porcelain master?"

James grinned, chin lifted in pride. "That's him. But for the record, Professor Winslow took me on as his last disciple because of my own talent, not just my family connections!"

Briony's expression softened again, her voice calm. "I know."

James, caught off guard, frowned at her. "Hey, are you brushing me off?"

"Not at all." Briony took a sip of her lemon water, her tone even. "I trust the professor's judgment."

James blinked, then bit down on a smile he was trying to hide. "Yeah, well, Professor Winslow's always had an eye for talent!"

Briony set her glass down and stood up. "I'll go pay the bill."

James quickly rose to block her. "No way, I can't let you pay-"

"Don't be polite." Her words were gentle but firm. "I said I'd treat, and you always

say a person should keep their promises."

James: "..."

Briony simply stepped around him and headed to the register.

James watched her go, raising an eyebrow to himself.

His senior really was...something special.

When they left the restaurant, James offered to give Briony a ride home.