SORRY

Chapter 22. Smart and Cunning

Briana POV

I felt the intensity of Noah’s gaze and clamped harder on my brother’s arm.

“He’s here,” I whispered in Marcus‘ ear.

“I got you,” He whispered back in assurance.

When I looked in the direction where I had last seen Noah

standing, he was no longer there, making me heave a huge sigh of relief.

We started walking. I held onto Marcus’s arm, and he patted me reassuringly.

“Chin up,” Marcus commanded, reminding me of all the years of training I embarked on to possess that air of confidence befitting the CEO of Rosewood Hotels.

At the sight of the entrance, I felt a sense of yearning.

This was the hotel I had known all my life. The hotel I worked hard for. Noah and I worked tirelessly during our three–year marriage to make Hunter Hotels one of the best hotels worldwide.

When we got inside, we drew attention.

It did not come as a surprise to me. My brothers were equally fit, tall, and handsome, but Marcus had the training. He was able to project himself well.

And because he was my escort tonight, I do not want to fail him. I stood tall and proud in his arms.

Marcus guided me along corridors until we reached a vast hall that was the party venue.

–

All the while, my eyes roamed around taking in the changes in the hotel.

It still looked majestic, but it felt like a stran r to me now.

As we glided into the venue, all eyes riveted to us.

“Is that Marcus Ford?”

“He looks so dreamy.”

“Who is that beauty in his arms?”

“Oh my! They looked good together.”

I tried to stifle a smile when I heard people whisper among themselves as they speculated on the relationship between my brother and me.

Though I took our family surname, my brothers did not make it clear to everyone who I was. They wanted my relationship with them to remain ambiguous to protect my children from unnecessary gossip.

My children are Fords, end of discussion.

My brother turned to me and tucked the loose tendrils that escaped my braid, and heard gasps of surprise from the crowd. when the organizer announced our arrival.

“Marcus and Briana Ford of the Ford Empire.”

Matt Bryant’s eyes widened in shock when he recognized me.

Chapter 22 Smart and Ciroind

He was welcoming our guests, and it was our turn.

“Well. Well. Well. If it isn’t our very own Briana Johnson.” Matt Bryant drawled when he was able to regain his initial shock.

His eyes gleamed with malice.

He was looking at me like I was some piece of meat he wanted to sample without any intention of buying.

It made my insides squirm.

Marcus drew himself to his full height in a protective manner. Because we were so near, I could sense the tension in him. But before he could come to my defense, I was already ahead of him.

Matt Bryant had always shown his disgust to me since the Hunters took me in. He never liked me and would often embarrass me in public.

“In case you failed to notice, Mr. Bryant. The name is not Briana Johnson, but Briana Ford.” I retorted in my most sugary voice.

It gave me immense satisfaction to see Matt Bryant with his mouth hanging open in shock.

I loved the way his eyes flickered in confusion.

But because he was adept at manipulation, he was quick to gather himself and grinned maliciously at me.

“What can I say? You have always been a smart and cunning girl, Briana. Imagine getting yourself another wealthy husband to take care of you.” Matt Bryant followed it with a sarcastic laugh, drawing the crowd’s interest in us.

mum and Curring

It is not hard for anyone within earshot to get what Matt Bryant was suggesting. I was a gold–digger who had taken a new wealthy conquest after my divorce.

I could feel my temper flare. Who wouldn’t be angry when you were being insulted in your face?

Before I could lash out at the annoying man who used to make my life in the Hunters hell, Marcus patted my hand reassuringly as a gentle reminder to maintain my cool.

It seemed to calm my somewhat frayed nerves, and I began to relax and look Matt Bryant in the eye. I was about to make a counter–retort when my brother beat me to it.

“I could agree with you on that, Mr. Bryant.” Marcus smiled, showing perfectly white teeth..

Matt Bryant looked around us mockingly. Glad that even Marcus admits that he got himself a gold–digger.

But my brother’s words stunned him.

“You see, my Briana is smart and cunning a deadly combination in business. She is an asset to any man lucky enough to get her to his side. She is hardworking, too. Imagine that in four years she single–handedly turns Rosewood Hotel into every man’s definition of class.”

That ought to shut Matt Bryant’s mouth. He looked around, floundering for words to retaliate, but Marcus was already bored with the word play.

“If you’ll excuse us?” He asked our host and guided me inside the hall amidst envious looks.