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

been massive, perhaps a complex blend of

striding out the

solidifying into frost. Patrick

area look like a prime spot for foul play. Max

him, followed closely, fearing Max might collapse

surrounded them, and Max felt a growing chill in his heart, overpowering the drug's effects until all he could feel was an endless

Brielle...

custom-made for her by Jaired to fit her hand perfectly. Max squatted down to pick up the gun, noting

clutched the firearm tightly. The ravine was steep, and finding a way down

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 and

"Sir!"

was about to leap after him when a beam of light revealed Max picking up the flashlight from the ground.