Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

As Brielle's palms pressed together, a pool of nervous perspiration had formed. It was that old feeling - the nearer to home, the greater the trepidation.

In just an hour, the charity gala would commence, and she had to change into her evening gown and head over with her invitation in hand. Due to the rush, her makeup was minimal, a simple elegance.

Although Max had been quite the amorous companion the previous night, he had been considerate enough not to leave any marks that would be visible with her gown. The only telltale sign was a faint mark on her earlobe, easily concealed.

Even with light makeup, Brielle's striking presence drew many an admiring glance. The gala was a noteworthy event in the North American social scene, and, with Infinity Brilliance in attendance, it had drawn the crème de la crème of the community - from the most distinguished Chinese Americans to a smattering of European aristocracy.

The buzz around Owen's return to the business world had been incessant, and royal backing was there ostensibly to bolster Infinity Brilliance's position. Not that the company needed it, given its global dominance over the years, but this gesture of support was one that Infinity Brilliance would not forget.

Brielle, not well-acquainted with the North American elite, found a quiet corner to settle down upon entering with her invitation. The Chinese Americans who had made it big were numerous, but the Lynches were in a league of their own at the pinnacle of Infinity Brilliance. The crowd was a mosaic of racial elegance - white, Asian, and a handful of black attendees, all exuding grace under the brilliant chandeliers. The heady scent of fine wine, the allure of gourmet desserts, and the walls adorned with priceless art - it all mirrored the opulence she first experienced attending an international auction with Max.

Brielle had strategically chosen a spot near the entrance for quick glimpses of the incoming guests. Her anxiety was palpable, fingers clenched around her wine glass, lips pursed in anticipation.

The entrance saw a steady trickle of arrivals, but none that eased her tension. It grew with every passing minute.

She had never met Owen of Infinity Brilliance. By the time she'd entered the finance world, his peak had passed before her birth. By the time she started paying attention to the business news, the titans had retreated from the public eye. In her era, Max was the name everyone knew, hence his access to the inner

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circles of North America.

As she lowered her lashes, contemplating a sip of her wine, a commotion at the door caught her attention.

A group entered, leisurely,

commanding the room's focus.

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Amidst the entourage, the middle-aged man at the center shone the brightest. A bespoke suit adorned his well-maintained figure, a single watch on his wrist, his eyes reminiscent of Dustin's the same charm, the same youthful allure of a man in his thirties, but with an air of refined sophistication. He greeted those around him with a smile that was both warm and distant.

The lights seemed to bend towards him, yet it was his presence that outshone them. He was like a vintage wihe, growing more exquisite with time, his path thro the crowd marked by a rarefied grace.

The eyes of the room followed him, yet few dared to approach. The young lacked the standing, the established hesitated given the crowd around him. Most were content to watch from afar. Brielle watched intently, nearly spilling her wine in her captivation. Her throat tightened, words failed her.

For a fleeting moment, their eyes might have met in the crowd, but his smile was brief, customary for a stranger, and he moved on.

Her heart raced. She stood, thinking to greet him later, but anxiety turned her fingertips white.

Then she saw her - Annie, at Raymond's side, smiling and engaging with the guests. Raymond spoke to her with a tenderness that revealed a close, familiar bond.

The sight of Annie, so close to Raymond, dissolved Brielle's nerves into an icy stiffness, and any prior anxiety faded into the background as she watched, her gaze locked onto Annie.