Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 490

Max was keenly aware that if this continued, Brielle’s situation would become dangerous once Michael turned his back. Max didn’t refuse, slowly stood up, and gently took Brielle’s hand, without any hint of shame. “Brielle doesn’t really know anyone here, and she’s quite reserved. Dad, we’re going to head out.”

Reserved?

Those in attendance nearly choked on their own disbelief. The girl who had the guts to walk in here solo, was reserved?

But Michael just gave Austin a casual glance, his smile unfading. “In that case, let’s consider Spencer and Sophia’s engagement settled. We’ll send someone to arrange the venue.” It was a classic deflection, shifting the spotlight back to the evening’s protagonists.

The others quickly jumped on the bandwagon, as if Brielle was but a brief interlude, quickly forgotten. But everyone knew that wasn’t the case.

Max had rejected a strategic alliance with the Barnes family, choosing instead Spencer’s ex–fiancée. A real–life fairy tale!

No matter how turbulent the thoughts of those present, they had no choice but to suppress them and see the play through to its end.

The original leads of this drama, Spencer and Sophia, looked anything but the star–crossed lovers; one was as pale as a ghost, and the other wore a smile not reaching their eyes, neither sparing a glance for the other. They were preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Brielle and Max had already

the warmth of his fingers, Brielle walked as if on air, as though stepping on clouds of cotton candy. In truth, from the moment Max intertwined his fingers with hers, she was out of sorts. It wasn’t until they left the banquet hall and encountered the Barnes

a mask of contorted humiliation, felt the urge to bite

her body, to no avail. Without turning,

that Michael knew of Max’s relationship with Brielle,

trembled even more, struggling to contain

that pushed her over the edge.

thud, like something hitting the wall, reached her ears. She

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Chapter 490

covered her

Brielle against the wall by the

and Rowland families might appear. But Max seemed

her earlier poise. Now, shy and unsure, she cautiously placed her hands on his waist, timidly grasping the hem of his shirt like a child. They