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.

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

backgrou everyone suspected nepotism or worse, that

within it often develop an inflated sense

one. In the three years she’d been there, Lucinda was the only one she

phone with a casual tone, “Several companies have sent their bids to Integral Elements Inc. The president previously discussed a price of 130 million with you, but they’re now hoping

mark.”

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had even checked multiple simulation models; 130 million was the sweet spot. The sudden jump to 200 million was

Elements Inc., but instead of the president, his assistant picked

Brielle, we’ve yet to receive your bid. It seems you’re not

tomorrow morning. However, your new asking price is a departure from our previous discussions, and I’d like to discuss this in person

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

no doubt. Tanner was probably

up, signaling three of her team members, including Lucinda, “Book

colleagues, were none too pleased to be bossed around by a woman they considered to be a backdoor hire. Graduates from prestigious schools,

or seeking help in a damsel-in-distress manner, always maintaining a cool demeanor that

the point of a woman being so assertive, they thought, when

as the manager and Spencer currently absent, she was the

small components manufacturer waiting to go public, was nestled in a

preparing for months with her team to acquire Integral Elements Inc. Now with the bid proposal stalled by Spencer, she had

and her team boarded the plane, Max was wrapping

his laptop as Patrick brought him a cup of coffee, “Mr. Doesey, Ms. Brielle stopped by

inbox. Aside from the email from the previous night,

sent Brielle a message – just a question mark. As the international conference call started,