Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 85

Brielle woke up at eleven, the familiar ceiling above her coaxing her into reality. It wasn’t a dream. Max hadn’t left on a business trip–he had shown up at the police station last night. Was it because of her?

She swung her legs out of bed, wincing as her feet touched the cold floor. The sting from her cuts reminded her of the night’s events. She spotted a cane nearby, left there just for her, and gratefully grabbed it to support her unsteady steps.

The house was quiet as she hobbled to the study. Max was there, as she knew he would be, deep in a virtual meeting.

Brielle gently pushed the door open and heard a voice from the meeting.

“The new documents have been sent down. We’ve incorporated Ms. Haywood’s 8120 principle and the 2N rule into our management system. The first draft has been emailed to you, sir.”

Max was silent, his microphone off. Sensing her presence, he paused but didn’t turn around, as if he knew it was her.

Brielle limped closer. “Uncle Max, were you planning to discuss a takeover deal last night?”

“Mhm.”

the emails, nodding in approval at the

the stuff at the police station on my own.” She tried to sound casual,

Max’s voice was laced with concern. If he hadn’t arrived

in her chest and avoided his gaze. “I didn’t feel

turmoil, the loneliness of being abandoned by the whole world, grinding

she asked, her long lashes fluttering like the wings of a bird,

in his heart, keeping his eyes on the screen as he wrapped

meeting.

had peaked last night, but not to that

was a knock on the

for support, and started towards the door. Máx, seeing she didn’t intend to lean on him, left the room with a quick stride, leaving her

downstairs to find Andrew nursing

he teased as Brielle settled into

the Rowland family

to Tessa, who asked me to come see

it’s not just the Rowland family involved,

that the Hatfield family played a