Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 306

and Brielle spotted her cane lying just within reach, propped against the elevator’s handrail. She leaned in to grab it.

Max couldn’t help but let out a chuckle mixed with a hint of exasperation. “Ms. Haywood, you’re quite the trooper,” he said, his voice tinged with sarcasm.

Brielle tensed, fully aware he was mocking her, and her temper flared. “Nothing compared to you, Mr. Dorsey. You’re busy as a bee, as always,” she retorted. It was a clear jab at him for his habit of not answering calls.

Anyone else would think twice before speaking to Max in such a manner, but Max didn’t get angry. Instead, he felt an odd sense of helplessness, even a bit of bewilderment, about how to respond to her.

Amidst his silence, Brielle finally got hold of her cane and stood there in the corner, stiff as a board. After a long while, she feigned composure and asked, “I know it might be redundant to ask, but are you planning to call it quits, Mr. Dorsey?”

For Brielle, mustering the courage to ask such a question was monumental. Max’s actions had made his intentions clear; he wanted to set boundaries between them. She had always found herself too timid and too reserved in the face of attraction. Her past was far from glamorous, riddled with rejections and romantic tumbles, not to mention a family life in shambles. Yet she had never shied away from any of it; she embraced it all, including the faint stirrings of her heart for Max.

It was her one source of pride.

Max didn’t answer right away. The closed elevator was quiet. The seconds were ticking by, and their heartbeats were almost audible in the silence. Just as Brielle thought he wouldn’t respond, she heard a decisive, “Yeah.”

a different outcome until the very end. That nascent flicker of attraction was snuffed out with

nothing more, avoided looking at her as if he was holding

then, I wish you all the best in getting what you want, Mr. Dorsey.” Max’s Adam’s apple bobbed; his hand discreetly brushed over his

bit, but it was bearable. When breaking an addiction, one had to be resolute from the start. Any hesitation was

emotions in a lost cause. She should have remembered

Chapter 306

love. It was all a dopamine–induced

gripped her cane tightly, realizing that even if Max harbored a small affection for her, his formidable brain would immediately take action to correct any

to one kind of pleasure. And the only thing that could combat dopamine

few seconds, having come to

the elevator malfunction. She

out Patrick’s

How long until the elevator

minutes, we’re making it a priority,”

choosing not to

had promised Alivia to win Brielle over within a week. and yet, ironically, time had passed, and he had only met her