Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 373

Max slumped into his office chair, the weight of the world seemingly on his shoulders.

Patrick tiptoed behind him. Max was probably steaming mad, fuming at Ms. Brielle for not letting Max get out of the car and at himself for actually listening to her.

Max wasn’t the type to laugh much on a good day, and when he was mad, hysteria was the last thing you’d see. His eyes just got darker, his presence more hushed.

But the quieter he got, the more danger seemed to linger in the air.

Patrick instinctively tried to make himself as small as possible.

The office fell into a deathly silence, the air thinning with tension.

Buzz.

Max’s phone vibrated on the desk. He glanced at it, a text from Brielle.

[Can I try to handle this on my own first?]

The anger in his chest popped like a balloon, but discomfort still simmered. He texted back.

[How long?]

lean on you for

but

and autonomy, where it’s not. Only then could she be

a sure way

truth she had grasped in their brief encounters.

[Don’t get hurt.]

didn’t stop her; he knew Brielle was different.

warmed, a softness flashing in her eyes, but she quickly forced herself to set aside personal matters and focus on the crisis at

had gone to the hospital, the online storm hadn’t calmed.

from behind the scenes, his real target

to corner her, force Max to act, and then use

do was to grab

11:02

many years, it was unlikely he’d slip up

in her fingers. How would

it clicked. In business, when you’re short on leverage and need to close the gap with a rival you either

chips were Simon and his wife.

pawns useless.

curled Brielle’s lips as she