Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Chapter 16

The words carried with them a sting of mockery, and even the glances that swept over her felt like the hissing of a venomous snake.

Max had only briefly embraced her before letting go, as if the momentary tenderness had never existed. Maybe Brielle had just seen it wrong.

The manager of Tequila Sunset approached with a deference that bordered on reverence, "Mr. Dorsey, Mr. Clements, your drinks have been delivered to the private booth, if your please."

Andrew's lips curled into a smirk, "Max, why not bring your little canary along?"

They were close to the entrance of Tequila Sunset, but the private booth they were headed to was a world apart from the crowd.

Tequila Sunset, though a glittering den of indulgence, had its hierarchies. People like Max and Andrew belonged to a more secluded building out back. Unlike the wild dance floor, the atmosphere there was refined, more suited for romantic escapades or plotting.

corporate conquests.

Brielle knew she shouldn't go. She started to retreat but then caught sight of two men entering through the main door: Spencer and Cameron.

Cameron was Brielle's older brother, but since Brielle had only joined the Haywood family at ten, their relationship was distant. And like Miranda, Cameron had shown a considerable fondness for Lillian.

Now that the Haywood family's reins were in Cameron's hands, every time he returned from a trip, he would bring Lillian a carefully selected gift, whereas for Brielle, it was merely something a sales assistant had offhandedly recommended.

Cameron spent little time at the Haywood family home, preferring his own villa and the company of his regular companions, but Brielle always suspected that his affections lay with Lillian, for she had once seen them kiss. Presumably, he was just another man that

Lillian had charmed.

Brielle took a step back, quickly turning her back to them, and buried herself in Max's

embrace.

Spencer caught sight of Max and his demeanor shifted to one of respect, "Uncle Max." Anxiety tinged his face because Lillian had found herself in trouble here. After exchanging pleasantries, he looked ready to leave.

Cameron, however, nodded in acknowledgment and said, "Mr. Dorsey, I've long admired. your reputation."

Then his gaze shifted to Andrew, his brows knitting slightly, "Mr. Clements, I didn't expect

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to see you here.

Cameron had spent the last year abroad and had crossed swords with Andrew in a

takeover battle. Andrew's name carried weight in Beaconsfield for he was known to show no mercy to his adversaries. Unlike Max's cold aloofness, Andrew did everything with a fierce edge.

He was fire, bold and brutal, while Max was the coolness of water.

Fire burns bright, and water runs deep

Fire is showy, and water is understated.

When Max and Andrew first met over a decade ago, Andrew had declared he would set Antarctica ablaze.

Antarctica, a land of ice, represented the essence of water, which typically extinguishes fire, but Andrew's bold claim implied that with enough ferocity, he could evaporate all the water. The two never came to blows, as Max had headed to Wall Street. Now standing together, their relationship seemed extraordinary,

Brielle finally snapped back to reality, realizing this must be Aubree's brother. Lost in thought, she felt a cool fingertip pinch and rub her earlobe. Her whole body shivered, her ear instantly flushed red, the heat climbing, leaving her parched and breathless.

Max's action drew the attention of the three other men to Brielle. Spencer was the first to speak, "Ms. Alivia is back in the country?"

The mention of Ms. Alivia drained the color from Brielle's cheeks. In high society, everyone knew of that celebrated young socialite. Brilliant and stunning, she was dedicated to her research, reportedly having a close relationship with the elder Dorseys.

Years ago, the Dorsey family had proposed a marriage alliance with her, which she had declined, opting instead to study abroad, a decision that had become the subject of much admiration. Could it be that the marriage she rejected was with Max?