Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 9

The moment she stepped into the office, all eyes were drawn to her like magnets. They felt like sharp, judgmental knives, ready to peel away the facade she had so carefully

constructed

Whispers swirled around her

“Must be off to see Mr. Dorsey again. Some people have all the luck. Marrying into wealth sure has its perks”

“Marrying into wealth? Please, there’s not even a ring on her finger. Didn’t Mr. Spencer publicly deny any engagement?”

“Besides, word has it Mr. Spencer deliberately delayed the bid proposal because he’s got

issues with her.”

“But I heard that Brielle’s family is quite wealthy. Otherwise, how could she get engaged to Mr. Spencer? Don’t prestigious families emphasize matching social status?”

“Ha! Since when do rich people drive cars worth only tens of thousands? No chauffeur even. She just happened to be Mr. Spencer’s classmate, which is how she even got a foot in the door.”

“No wonder. Taking advantage of Mr. Spencer’s naiveté, she probably hoodwinked him into an engagement.”

After what Spencer had said yesterday, everyone was even more convinced of their

theories.

outlier in the department, landing a manager pos Mergers and Acquisitions division

and her modest backgrou everyone suspected nepotism or worse, that she traded her body to get ahead. To self-proclaimed elite, she was no different

hierarchies, and those within it often develop an inflated sense of self due to the

her natural allure, had been unwelcome from day one. In the three years she’d been there, Lucinda was

Elements Inc. The president previously discussed a price of 130 million with you, but they’re now

mark.”

13

16.04

homework on Integral Elements Inc., poring over annual reports and other investment banks’ research. She had even checked multiple simulation models;

Integral Elements Inc., but instead of the

we’ve yet to receive your bid. It seems you’re

price is a departure from our previous discussions, and I’d like to discuss

Brielle, Mr. Tanner is very busy,” came the curt

doubt. Tanner was

including Lucinda, “Book the next flight out. You’re coming with me to Integral

pleased to be bossed around by a woman they considered to be a backdoor hire. Graduates from prestigious schools, they all had

had been decisive in her role, never showing weakness or seeking help in a damsel-in-distress manner, always maintaining a cool demeanor that seemed to threaten their sense of male

being so assertive, they thought,

with Brielle as the manager and Spencer currently absent, she was the one in

waiting to go public, was nestled in a neighboring town, providing over 3,000 jobs to the

had been preparing for months with her team to acquire Integral Elements Inc. Now with the bid

plane, Max was wrapping up a meeting on

him a cup of coffee, “Mr. Doesey, Ms. Brielle

the email from the previous night, there was nothing new from her. She must be upset, he

As the international conference call started, there was still no word from