Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Alivia's face was alight with glee, her eyes twinkling with barely concealed mirth.

She never would've guessed that Brielle's family background was so terribly lowbrow. It had become the talk of the town, a juicy piece of gossip that many couldn't resist sharing with her. They all hinted that Max would eventually grow weary of the disparity between them. Brielle's humble beginnings were seen as a ceiling to her potential. She was nothing but an accessory to Max's life, they said. And a man like Max would surely find the burden too heavy in time.

Of course, Alivia agreed wholeheartedly, which only bolstered her confidence that she was the one destined to walk down the aisle with Max.

"Martha, you just focus on getting your strength back," Alivia comforted her.

Martha's face was a dance of anger and humiliation - humiliation for her son being entangled with such a woman like Brielle.

She took a deep breath, as if preparing herself to make a monumental decision. "Alivia, do you remember what I told you? I'd lay down my very life to see you and Max together." "Martha, please, calm down."

"Ha! Those two will have a baby before we know it if I don't do something now. That bitch!"

Martha spat out the words, her chest heaving with emotion.

Alivia felt a surge of satisfaction. People like Brielle were beneath her, not even fit to polish her shoes. She didn't need to take Brielle seriously, just bide her time and let others deal with her.

Alivia soothed Martha with a few more platitudes, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and her expression turned serious. "Martha, excuse me,

she took a deep breath before answering, "Mr.

in the research world and one

was the financial titans who reigned supreme. The more prestigious the institution, the more formidable its backers. Infinity Brilliance was a household

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stood before an expansive floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at