Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Max's pupils constricted, his fingers halting mid-air.

Michael had already spotted the hand at the door, and a smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. "Figured it out? You finally decided to rescue James?"

Brielle cast her gaze down, forcibly swallowing the taste of copper in her mouth as anger swept through her, compelling her. In this moment, she had to compromise. She couldn't beat the Dorsey family, nor could she beat Michael.

"Yes, just like you said, Mr. Dorsey, me being with Max was just to get back at the Dorseys. Spencer held me back for a decade, and his mother only saw me as a stepping stone for Spencer to secure his place at Dorsey International. My fling with Max was a jab at the Dorsey's pride, but now I see clearly. So, please, Michael, show some mercy."

"Weren't you in love with Max before? You even humiliated yourself in the lounge, trying to wreck his wedding with Alivia."

Brielle's lashes fluttered, her emotional defenses nearly crumbling.

Max was her forbidden fruit, the one she had to stand on her toes to pluck, thinking she'd never let go. But who else could bear the burden of the Fox family's tragedy? Who else could carry Mark's fate?

He was defying the Dorseys to be with her, defying his mother's expectations to be with her. Max was so perfect it left her speechless.

But what could she do when someone had already sacrificed so much for her? She couldn't let the entire Fox family pay the price, could she?

The debt she owed the Foxes was already too vast. Even her life couldn't balance the scales.

thought Max was out of my league, and if he chose me, everyone who looked down on me would be green

James and his entire family, but are you sure you won't regret this? What if Max can't let go of

up, meeting Michael's gaze with a bitter twist of her lips. "It was just a game. He wouldn't

Michael's face as he turned to the doorway.

his stare burning into Brielle's back as if to see right through her. Her words were like steel pins hammered into his brain, tugging at his nerves painfully.

both sweet as honey

a sadness like

the

sensed Max's presence, her back tensed, but now she began to relax, turning to

"Brielle!"

on her wrist. Had

It must've all been a

eyes were a tumult of disbelief, sorrow, and loss. She had never seen such a storm of emotions in Max's eyes, as if

wished he could go back to

IMS

too deep, pushing him away