Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

The atmosphere in the room turned rather eerie as he spoke.

In the Dorsey household, Michael’s authority was unchallenged, towering above everyone. else’s. So when trouble knocked on his door, the whole family gathered, fearing the worst. NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.

The only person who might have had a fighting chance at keeping Max in check was Michael

himself.

Without Michael, the rest of the Dorseys were like dolls in Max’s presence. Even William felt a twinge of worry with the sudden turn of events.

Now that Michael was just beginning to recover, Max’s words were startlingly blunt.

Victoria, who was helping Michael to the sofa in the living room, shot Max a glare. “Max, Dad’s just getting better. Tone it down a bit, will you?”

As Michael settled on the couch, he waved off their concern with the ease of long habit. “This old body of mine has seen better days. What worries me most, Max, is not being around to see you settled.” He might as well have come right out and told Max to marry Alivia.

“Father, I’ve made it perfectly clear to Alivia years ago. Our families have been friends for generations, but that’s all she and I can be,” Max stated.

Michael gave him a quiet look, followed by a cough. “Didn’t you say that if you didn’t find. someone you liked, you’d marry Alivia? So, have you found that someone now?”

The question hung in the air like a soft–spoken challenge. If Max said yes, Brielle would find herself in the crosshairs of the Dorsey family’s considerable influence, no matter where she hid. No one knew for sure what cards Michael still held.

“No, but I’m not looking to marry just yet.”

A flicker of satisfaction graced Michael’s eyes as he smiled faintly. Just as he was about to speak again, the living room door swung open, and in came Spencer, looking haggard and

worn.

Michael’s brow furrowed at the sight of him; what had the boy been up to lately? He appeared significantly thinner than the last time he was brought home after that kidnapping fiasco..

Caught off guard by the crowd, Spencer paused before greeting his grandfather. Then, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, he took a seat opposite Max. His eyes, bloodshot and weary. were unable to stop darting back to Max.

Spencer had been tirelessly searching for any evidence of a liaison between Brielle and his uncle, Max. But every lead and every piece of surveillance footage he pursued had vanished without a trace. The more elusive the evidence, the deeper his suspicions grew.

Just last night, he’d approached the Hatfield family, hoping they would release the footage from the night of the party, but they had politely refused, citing the privacy of their guests.

15-08

Frustration gnawed at Spencer as he clenched his fists until they seemed to draw blood.

He had intended to look for clues at Brielle’s old apartment, but after the fire, all the tenants had moved out. Several had died in the blaze, and the building had become a ghost town.

Unwilling to give up, Spencer had been doggedly questioning former residents, even showing them a picture of Max to see if anyone recognized him, but to no avail.

He couldn’t quite pin down why he was so determined to press on. Perhaps he was driven by a terrifying intuition–an intuition that made him want to tear everything apart.

If Brielle and Max were involved, where had Brielle been on those nights when Max had just returned to the country? Was she with some gigolo, as she claimed, or with Max?

Spencer could not contemplate the thought, for just the speculation alone threatened to unravel him.

Something tumultuous churned within him. With a tight–lipped sneer, he lifted his gaze to meet Michael’s and spoke with feigned sincerity. “Grandfather, there’s something I need to talk to you about. Given your ill health, why don’t we have a celebration to lift the spirits? Uncle Max may not be eager to marry just yet, but I am, and I’ve got someone in mind. I was foolish before, but I’ve seen clearly through my recent trials. I must marry her and no other.”

Chapter 326||||