Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

It seemed Michael never intended to let Brielle into the esteemed Dorsey family.

If Brielle didn’t agree to his terms tonight, Michael could freely go after her without restraint, since she would’ve refused first.

If she agreed, it was a task doomed to fail from the start. Obsessed with achieving the impossible, Brielle would inevitably neglect Max’s feelings. With their time together dwindling, conflicts would naturally arise.

And in the end, even if Brielle managed to accomplish this Herculean task, Stellar Stage Entertainment would fall entirely into the hands of Alivia. Michael had made it clear he wouldn’t let Alivia suffer, so anything Brielle fought tooth and nail for would just end up in Alivia’s hands, easing the bitterness in her heart.

The butler, listening from the sidelines, slowly lowered his lashes in contemplation of Michael’s machinations, which certainly didn’t end there.

The six–month timeline was, in fact, a countdown to Brielle’s downfall. Michael would not allow a woman who climbed the ladder through her looks to be by his most accomplished son’s side.

Picking up a fountain pen, Michael wrote down a word on a piece of paper, then decisively crossed it out with two swift strokes.

“If she happens to get pregnant with Max’s child during this ordeal, it’ll be a double tragedy. I won’t acknowledge her or the child. As for Max, I have my ways to deal with him.” His tone was casual, as if the lives of a woman and a child were no more than a disposable piece of

paper.

Once so proud, Everett had been broken and now meekly shadowed Victoria. His dignity was stripped to the point of reporting even the frequency of their sexual encounters, living like a mere tool.

If this was Michael’s approach with a man, how much more ruthless would he be with a woman trying to pull down his son?

Concerned that Michael’s tactics might lead to a fallout with Max, the butler ventured a word of caution. “But, sir, considering Max’s temperament-”

“I have an ace up my sleeve. Max couldn’t possibly remain enamored with Brielle for more than six months.”

No one knew what this ace was, but Michael’s confidence seemed to indicate he was holding a winning hand. With that, the butler said no more.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the city, in Premier Palace. Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Brielle and Max had just entered the grand hall. Wesley, with cheeks flushed with excitement, hurried over. “Sir, Ms. Brielle, dinner will be ready in ten minutes.”

15:15

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Max released Brielle’s hand and headed upstairs. “I’m going to take a shower” He felt the lingering scent of tobacco on his clothes from smoking earlier that evening.

Brielle nodded, smiling, and picked up the partially knitted scarf, continuing her work.

Wesley, seeing the couple reconciled, quickly instructed the staff to finish hanging the decorations throughout Premier Palace. In a short time, the yard was adorned with dozens of fairy lights.

Brielle looked around at the vibrant colors filling the yard, and her face lit up with joy. Who would have thought that one day, Premier Palace would look like this?

Standing behind her, Wesley spoke with a touch of wonder in his voice. “This is the first time Premier Palace has been filled with such life and color. Ms. Brielle, I am truly grateful for your presence in the master’s life. You’re his finest choice.”

Because she’d changed him.

But Brielle thought that wasn’t quite right; it wasn’t that she was Max’s best choice, but rather that the best man had chosen her.

She headed upstairs, pushed open the bedroom door, and found Max, a towel wrapped. around his waist, emerging from the steamy bathroom. His tall frame was perfectly proportioned; droplets of water traced paths down his shoulders..

However, amidst the mist, Brielle saw dark, purplish marks on his skin.

Her heart skipped a beat, her mind racing back to the day she found lipstick on his shirt.

collar. This was different, though. That could have been an accident, but how she

explain these marks?

Her spirits plummeted as she considered leaving before Max noticed her.

could

She needed to stay calm; Max wouldn’t betray her. But what was really going on? No wonder he’d been acting so strange at the Dorsey family gathering earlier that night when she tried to: get close.

Brielle’s complexion paled as her thoughts spun out of control.

Unaware of Brielle at the door, Max dried his hair and walked toward the bed. His back was also marred with bruises. Brielle felt as if she’d been punched in the heart.

Max tossed the towel aside and picked up the hairdryer, his peripheral vision finally catching sight of her. “Brielle?”

Her face was strained, but she managed a weak smile. “Tonight’s dinner is quite the feast. I heard the kitchen got a king crab shipped in from abroad first thing this morning. Just that one dish costs a fortune, and the crab is so huge they barely found a pot to fit it.”

She was deliberately changing the subject, her gaze carefully avoiding his body.

Chaple: 542