Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

"Antonio, what's on your mind?" Alivia asked, her voice steady despite the tension in the room.

Antonio lounged on the couch, tilting his head back to meet her gaze. He rubbed the back of his neck, playing up the act.

Alivia felt like a fish on a cutting board, ready to be filleted by anyone who pleased. Swallowing her pride, she sat beside him on the sofa. Antonio gave her a sly grin. "Why were you looking for Victoria?"

A wave of anxiety washed over Alivia, sweat pooling in her palms. How did he know about her visit to Victoria?

Victoria had turned her away coldly, even confronting her. It was clear Victoria wanted Max to stay as the CEO of Dorsey International.

Reflecting on it with a cooler head, Alivia realized just how foolish her approach had been. Max was Victoria's brother, and his leadership would ensure her lavish lifestyle continued.

When Victoria had been entangled with Everett, she had spared no expense, siphoning funds from Max's private accounts when Michael refused to support her. Max never fussed over money, so he hardly blinked at Victoria's extravagant spending. But if someone else took over, Victoria's spendthrift ways would undoubtedly come under fire. With this realization, Alivia let out a derisive snort.

Victoria had mastered the Dorsey family's cold-hearted ways.

Antonio's chuckle broke her thoughts. "You're trying to oust Max with Victoria's help, blind to how much she's milked from his accounts over the years. Max is her personal gold mine. Do you really think she'd let that go?"

No wonder Victoria had panicked at the possibility of Max not being a true Dorsey.

Alivia grasped Antonio's intentions. He was angling to recruit her as

if it came out that Max wasn't a real Dorsey, his reputation would be in ruins. As for Brielle, what

Max isn't a Dorsey,

am, but the rest of the Dorseys are still

the family would be in complete

Alivia admired Antonio's restraint in keeping such

potted plant beside him. "My father still dreams of the CEO seat at Dorsey

you need

peak of public scrutiny, all you need to do

Alivia had the guts,

approached Victoria first. Revealing this secret would certainly the social circles of Beaconsfield to their core. But it would also put

media frenzy

busy putting out fires,

trying to

with illness? What I can

solid. Even if her name was sullied at home, nothing stopped