Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Just as she was about to strike at his belly, a mocking voice echoed from not too far away. "Slut!"

Brielle froze, her gaze shifting toward the entrance.

The whole area was a wellness retreat with picturesque views, and at that moment, Martha, sitting in a wheelchair, was being pushed around for a stroll in the vicinity.

There was a riverside walkway meant exclusively for the retreat and the surrounding villa community. Brielle hadn't expected to run into Martha here.

Martha's eyes blazed with an intense hatred as she glared at Brielle.

Brielle frowned upon hearing Martha's unfiltered tirade continue.

"You whore! You think you've won my son over with your bedroom tricks? The guy next to you must be your lover, huh? You sure have a way with men, seducing Max with your cheap tricks. Now that Max isn't around, you're already on the prowl for someone else, aren't you?

"Word is your dad's a doorman, your mom's a lowly maid, and your brother's a no-good thug. How can someone of your low birth lack such self-awareness and cling to Max like that? Don't you feel inferior in front of him?!

"You're not worthy of my son, and that brute next to you, he looks like an uneducated lout. Brielle, oh Brielle, I bet you're with Max just for the money, right? Probably learned all your tricks from your mom. I heard she was quite the little tart in her day. The whole neighborhood knew how cheap she was."

Martha had been seething with fury lately, and she hadn't expected to be caught off guard by a run-in with Brielle.

pent-up rage exploded in an instant, and she could barely contain her desire to throttle Brielle right there. However, she had just finished her medication and was still feeling weak, so all she could do was

James, who had been restraining her, slowly let go and bellowed, "Shut your damn mouth, you old hag!

unaccustomed to being spoken to in such a way, turned a ghastly shade of pale and let out a sinister chuckle. "Oh, hit a nerve, did

marched forward with imposing strides. His towering figure was intimidating enough to send

collar and snarled, "Keep talking, you old

for their respect

hadn't visited her, and the crushing news Alivia had brought made she wish everything related to Brielle

en

whatever I want about you and Brielle. You're both trash, birds

James shoved Martha back into her wheelchair and kicked

"James! Stop!"

James was beyond listening. The wheelchair, with Martha in it, tumbled

heart suddenly turned cold, and at this moment, she

the slope, and Martha,

hit the ground, Martha's head striking the sharp edge

pooking around her inso