Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Patrick glanced at him through the rearview mirror, noting how his breathing was shaky from distress. He nodded swiftly in acknowledgment. "Alright, boss."

Patrick floored the accelerator, but his first call wasn't to track down Brielle's whereabouts. Instead, he rang the family doctor to meet them at Premier Palace before making another call to initiate the search for Brielle.

By the time Max arrived at Premier Palace, the doctor was already there, a look of surprise evident on his face. Over the years, Max had faced his share of underhanded tactics, but this was the first time he seemed so tormented by a drug's effects, indicating a potent dose. For an ordinary man, confusion would have already blurred the lines between friend and foe. The family doctor, seasoned by various crises, recalled a drug that had once made a well-mannered gentleman nearly attack his own brother in public. Shuddering at the memory, the doctor hastily administered an antidote to Max.

Max kept his eyes closed, darkness swirling inside them like a vortex, threatening to drag him deeper. He leaned back against the couch, his Adam's apple bobbing as he asked Patrick.

"Have you found her location?"

Patrick was about to say they hadn't received any updates when his phone rang. He pressed the answer button without hesitation.

"Patrick, we've located Ms. Brielle. But it's not good news-the car the boss sent for her is abandoned on the outskirts of town. There's been a lot of activity out there tonight, and it's likely that Ms. Brielle..."

A shiver ran down Patrick's spine as he relayed the information to Max.

Max's eyelashes quivered violently, and from somewhere, he summoned the strength to stand.

"Let's go."

you're

on, troubled. Given the drug's effect on Max, the dosage must have been massive, perhaps a

striding out the door, leaving Patrick with no

frost. Patrick felt chilled

to where Brielle's car was abandoned. Evening had fallen, and the dim streetlights made the area look like a prime spot for foul play. Max saw his men searching for Brielle but was not reassured.

fearing Max might collapse

in his heart, overpowering

Brielle...

her hand perfectly. Max squatted down to pick up the gun,

The

a long search, Max found a narrow path. But the recent spring rain had made it slippery, and his dress shoes lost their grip. He slipped

"Sir!"

after him when a beam of light revealed Max picking up the flashlight from the