Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

The disdain in the room was almost palpable as eyes rolled and whispers grew louder. Brielle, unfazed, gracefully took her seat on the chair Mason had pulled out for her. “Ms. Tessa’s reputation isn’t any better than mine. Last I saw her, she was leaving a hotel with not one, but two gentlemen. Seems you’re quite the free spirit yourself.

She spoke with a straight face, picked up her cup of water from the table for a sip, and casually offered Mason a cup as well.

A hint of a smirk tugged at Mason’s lips. He’d seen Brielle’s live streams before; it was only by chance, but the fact that she could hold her own with Mr. Hartley was no small feat. When Brielle first struck up a conversation with him, he didn’t respond, even contemplating feigning ignorance of her, but her persistence piqued his interest.

Mason and Tessa were classmates back in high school. Tessa was often absent due to her frail health. Yet, wherever she was, she seemed to be the center of attention. Everyone tiptoed around her, lest they be blamed if her health took a turn for the worse.

Mason didn’t care for Tessa. Even though she hadn’t said a word and merely basked in the adoration and caution of those around her, the vibe she gave off was unsettling. Those who rallied behind her flourished; those who went against her met their doom. So even years after graduation, when they all gathered again, people still instinctively sought Tessa’s favor.

But Brielle was different. At least, she was the first person bold enough to be so unrestrained in front of Tessa.

Tessa’s’eyes bulged in disbelief. Her face turned pale with rage, her chest heaving, “What did you say?”

Sophia, standing behind her, patted her back soothingly, “Tessa, don’t get worked up. Please yake your medication first.” She tenderly offered the medication, but Tessa slapped it away. No one had ever seen Tessa this furious. Her pale complexion was now flushed as she glared at Brielle.

Sophia, pushed aside, took a step back, and in a spot hidden from the others, her lips curled into a subtle grin. She would love nothing more than for Brielle to push Tessa over the edge. today. The Rowland family would never forgive Brielle, and neither would Andrew. Even if Andrew did have a fling with that wretch Aubree, he truly doted on Tessa. Brielle messing with Tessa was akin to courting death. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Brielle raised an eyebrow, noting Tessa’s teetering composure, and chuckled softly. “I’m merely giving back what’s been dished out to me, Ms. Tessa. You spread rumors about my private life in public, so why shouldn’t I return the favor? Surely, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”

The others, unaccustomed to such a blatant lack of deference to Tessa, saw an opportunity to curry favor with her.

14:22

“How dare you, woman? Do you know who she is? She’s a lady of the Rowland family.”

“Mason, next time you bring a friend, at least bring someone who fits in, alright? We can do without the embarrassment from the likes of her.”

Mason pretended to be engrossed in his tea, “My apologies, I’m not really that close with Ms. Brielle.”

He distanced himself cleanly. Brielle glanced at him, not realizing until then the extent of Mason’s cunning.

Hearing his words, the others couldn’t very well continue to berate Mason, so they redirected their fire at Brielle.

“Apologize to Tessa! If she suffers because of you, can you bear the responsibility?”

Tessa did look terribly unwell, as if she might faint at any moment. Normally, at such moments. those who had upset her would be thrown into a panic. Her illness sometimes served as her

shield.

Brielle just sat there, casually lifting her gaze to Tessa. “If I had a condition like Ms. Tessa’s, I’d stay home and take care of my body, rather than going to great lengths to show up at a gathering. Wouldn’t want to risk an incident, right, Ms. Tessa?”

Tessa struggled to breathe, her nails digging into her palms, “You… you bitch.”

As soon as she spat out the words, she slumped back into her chair, clutching her chest in

agony.

Sophia, who could have quickly taken out the medication, instead just stood by Tessa, holding her shoulder, “Tessa, don’t be upset, I’ll get you to the hospital.” Triumph shone in her eyes. knowing Brielle had stirred up trouble.

Brielle frowned, seeing right through Sophia’s ploy. “Give her the medicine. What good does holding her do?”

Sophia’s face froze, and with a pitiful look, she scanned the room. “The medicine is gone. That was the last of it.”