Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

If Patrick were here, he’d probably secretly mutter that Max wore that mock disgust so well, even when he was secretly pleased.

Brielle, leaning on a cane, moved at a leisurely pace, which gave her ample time to notice the newcomer striding through the gates.

What was he doing tagging along?

Pearl Estate boasted a refined neighborhood ambiance that even the lobby’s polished floors could reflect. Their shadows grew closer on the gleaming surface.

“Mr. Dorsey?” she called out politely, catching sight of Max now standing before her.

“There’s a matter concerning Bradley that I need to discuss with you.” He was all business as if his hurried approach had nothing to do with personal interest.

Brielle was momentarily baffled by this tactic, and when she gathered her wits, she found the whole thing ludicrous. “Mr. Dorsey. I’m on the injured list.”

“Your brain isn’t what’s hurt.”

Brielle was no stranger to Max’s biting wit, and his remark now sent a wave of heat coursing through her. It seemed to stoke the fever she’d been battling all night. NôvelDrama.Org © content.

“Then go ahead, Mr. Dorsey. Dock my pay.”

She barely finished speaking when the elevator arrived. Without a second glance, she stepped inside and crisply pressed the close button.

Max caught just a snippet of her words. “After all, that card you gave me should be enough to keep me cozy for the rest of my days, Mr. Dorsey.”

Left standing there, Max hadn’t quite processed Brielle’s parting shot. By the time he snapped back to reality, the elevator had already departed. She had left him behind.

The realization didn’t embarrass him; after all, there was nothing Brielle could do that he couldn’t rationalize.

He didn’t follow her up but instead walked back to his car. Once seated inside, he pulled out his phone and saw a new message from Andrew, pressing for an update.

Ignoring it, he tapped on Brielle’s contact instead. What could he say?

Rubbing his temple, he chuckled at his own sequence of reactions. What was he doing? Perhaps it was time to cool off and get a grip on his emotions.

After sitting in the car for ten minutes, he finally drove back to Premier Palace.

Andrew was lounging on the couch at Premier Palace, idly flipping his phone in his hand. Spotting Wesley still bustling about, he drawled, “When’s the last time Brielle popped in?”

Wesley, unsure why Mr. Clements was inquiring about Ms. Brielle, responded conservatively. “Ms. Brielle seldom visits.”

Andrew scoffed. Seldom? Now that he knew Max had taken an interest in her, he figured Max would want her glued to his side around the clock.

Women were such a hassle.

Half an hour later, Max’s car pulled up outside Premier Palace. He strolled into the lobby to find a flamboyant–looking man sitting there.

Andrew paused his phone tossing at the sight of Max. “Where are you coming from?”

Max didn’t bother to answer; instead, he gave Andrew a once–over and settled on another

couch.

“Did you know Brielle’s calls are getting rerouted to Kenzo? She also asked Aubree to ring me up; everyone’s been looking for you.” A smirk played across Andrew’s face, a hint of schadenfreude in his voice. “Max, don’t tell me you’re finally tired and thinking of ditching her.”

Wesley approached with two cups of coffee, ready to interject, but a look from Max told him to hold his tongue.

Max wrapped his fingers around the cup; his brows lifted slightly, “What if I am?”

Andrew nearly choked on his coffee, taken aback by what he thought must’ve been a hallucination.

Was Max actually suggesting he was tired of Brielle?

Andrew’s eyes widened before he let out a light chuckle. “Figures, the Dorsey family doesn’t produce lovesick fools. That’s more like it. You had me worried for a bit there. I can’t for the life of me see what’s so appealing about Brielle. She’s so utterly average, save for a decent face.”

The comment struck a nerve with Max, causing him discomfort. “Still better than Tessa.”

Andrew felt a jolt at the mention of Tessa, realizing Max was still defending Brielle. He softened his tone. “Yeah, yeah. So what’s this about being sick of her?”

Even in front of Max, Andrew reined in his temper. “As you can see, the Dorsey family doesn’t entertain weaknesses.”

A dark glint passed through Andrew’s eyes. Was this not about eradicating a potential vulnerability once and for all?