Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Miranda was on the verge of throwing a fit, but remembering she still needed the old coot, she swallowed her anger.

Such a pain, that old cool!

During the drive, Julian couldn’t help but ask about Brielle and Spencer’s relationship.

“Are Bri and Spencer getting hitched soon? Spencer’s a solid guy, sure to treat his lady right. Bri’s tough, but she can be taken advantage of. That kid’s had it rough before.”

Sarcasm flickered in Miranda’s eyes as she continued to tarnish Brielle’s reputation. “Getting married? Please, Brielle’s got a string of men on the side, and it’s the talk of Beaconsfield. Plus, she’s now cozying up to Spencer’s uncle Max. That Max, you’ve heard of him, right? With Max backing her, she’s out there causing trouble, a real tramp, hopping from one man to the next.

“That shameless slut even admitted to us that she’s kept men on the side. Poor Spencer. It’s a just shame for our Lillian; she’s genuinely fond of Spencer but can’t be with him.”

As she finished, heavy breathing could be heard from the side. Julian’s face was turning red with the effort to breathe, his hands spasming and curling up.

That kid Bri, she was a good girl; she wouldn’t do these things. He was desperate to object, but felt powerless. “Miranda, stop, stop the car, I need to go back for my medicine, I need my pills.”

Miranda, already irritable, grew more impatient. “Brielle’s at the hospital. You can hold on for another half hour, and I can drop you off there. We can check you in at their medical center. Julian, the Haywood family needs you right now, and Brielle only listens to you. Hang in there. If we turn back now, we’ll lose another half hour.”

Julian’s lips parted, his cheeks flushed. “No…I forget the meds… Gotta go

back…”

“You always make things so complicated. I told you we’re on the way to the hospital, and they have doctors there too. Just bear with it. Lillian’s lost three fingers, and she’s in a far more critical condition than you. Every minute we delay is another minute of danger for her.”

Miranda didn’t give Julian another glance but pressed down on the accelerator.

Julian’s fingers twitched for a while before his entire body began to convulse, and his eyes. started to roll back.

“Miranda, I need to see Bri.”

“I need to see Bri…” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

He muttered deliriously, his consciousness fading, his voice slowly diminishing. He remembered the little stash he’d set aside for Bri in a box at the nursing home. It wasn’t much, but just shy of two hundred thousand, meant as a gift for her. When she and Spencer tied the knot, he could give it to her to buy some jewelry.

Julian had handed over the Haywood family assets to Robert a long time ago, keeping nothing for himself. His mind was sometimes clear, sometimes foggy. “Miranda, please, let’s go back.”

Miranda couldn’t be bothered to respond and just floored it. An old man, running out of steam, was never going to be as important as her daughter.

The struggle beside her gradually subsided until it stilled completely.

Miranda’s eyes were fixed straight ahead; every time she thought of Brielle, her eyes filled with resentment. She had lived with Brielle for years and knew her well. Brielle would never abandon Julian. As long as Julian was around, the Haywood family could weather this storm.

More than an hour later, the car pulled up at the hospital where Brielle was. Miranda unbuckled her seatbelt and glanced at the quiet old man beside her, snickering, “Well, you made it. Here we are. Get out. Brielle is upstairs.”

But Julian didn’t react.

Out of patience, Miranda shoved him, “We’re here. Go talk to Brielle about the Haywood family’s issues, then I’ll get you a doctor.”

However, Julian, nudged by her push, slowly slid down.

Surprise flickered in Miranda’s eyes, followed by panic. She raised her hand and placed her fingertips under Julian’s nose. His breath was faint. If Julian died, the Haywood family would have no chance of recovery.

Startled, Miranda hurriedly called for a doctor.

The doctors rushed out with a stretcher, performing CPR on Julian as they wheeled him into the

emergency room.

Miranda’s heart was racing as if the CPR was being performed on her. She had to do something. A light flickered in her eyes, and she promptly asked a nurse to notify Brielle.

She had to make Brielle feel guilty, remorseful, anguished. Yes! Brielle had to know that this was all her fault.

The nurse was quick to inform, and Brielle hurriedly arrived just in time to see the emergency room doors nearly shut. She paused for a few seconds, then hobbled after them. “Doctor, what happened?”

But the doctors were too preoccupied to explain, simply blocking her from entering. “Family members, please wait outside.” With that, they closed the doors behind them.