Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 1483

Hearing about that guy's background again, it was no wonder her daughter was so taken with him. A rich man with killer looks was way out of reach for a country girl like her. Today, she nearly embarrassed herself trying to keep up. "Emma, you were spot on. We can make it on our own. I'll get dinner started, and from now on, I'm not going to worry about this anymore."

Emma had been a real lifesaver, constantly reminding Peyton of the importance of self-reliance these past few weeks. Finally, Peyton's mindset had broken free from the small-town mentality.

Emma breathed a sigh of relief, feeling content with their life as it was.

Meanwhile, Dustin got a last-minute meeting invite from Infinity Brilliance, requiring him to head back to North America the very next day. He caught a flight that night, and without any time to shake off the jet lag, was thrown into back-to-back meetings for two days. The hectic schedule left him with a cold.

It had been forever since he last got sick, his voice reduced to a hoarse whisper, prompting him to share the news on social media. "First cold in years," he posted.

Almost instantly, his exes flooded the comments, offering to come over and asking where he was. Dustin couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and slight regret for sharing his status.

His posts always stirred up a buzz among his North American friends, not so much for the content but for the spectacle of his exes showing their concern in their unique ways. As he set his phone down, Dustin sighed, gazing out at the North American night view from the Sky Lounge the continent's priciest bar he owned. It sat atop the tallest building, offering breathtaking views of the cityscape below.

Tonight, the bar was closed to the public; Dustin wanted to drink in peace. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, drink in hand, a staff member informed him that Clare had arrived.

Clare, a striking biracial model with an ethereal beauty, had been trying to win Dustin over for years, though she wasn't one of his exes. Setting his drink aside, Dustin hesitated, aware that his past relationships had dulled his appreciation for beauty. Yet Clare's allure was undeniable, always capable of catching the eye.

in,"

Dustin like a sprite, wrapping him in a full embrace. "Dustin, you finally

once voted the most beautiful in the world, pleaded with an irresistible vulnerability. No man could

her waist, "You've

Don't you Aussies have a saying, 'Wish you'd gather more,' this thing being the greatest reminder of

releasing her to lean against the nearby desk, his

ét

turned a deeper shade of red. "I forgot, only memorized that part. Dustin, it's been over a year since your last relationship, is it my turnyet? I've been chasing you

closer, her eyes hinting at something special, slowly unveiling

set, bold enough to set

complete with a tastefume

a at her neck.

on her bow, "This

Dustin's touch was gentle but firm, choosing not to untie the bow. His mind remained

I gave in

to commit to you, Clare. Being with me is exhausting. If I fall for temptation now, what's to stop me when the