Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

“What a silver–tongued devil you are!”

“I’m telling you, this lady must’ve pulled some shady tricks to catch Max’s eye in the first place.”

“Sweet talker. Would you have fallen for Max if he wasn’t the CEO of Dorsey International?”

The accusers were distant relatives, their eyes ablaze with indignation as they stared at

Brielle.

Brielle chuckled softly, a tinge of exasperation in her voice. “What can I say? When I met him, he was already the CEO of Dorsey International.”

Her retort was indisputable, and even Max looked down, his lips curving into a subtle smile.

The relative who had spoken was left speechless, huffing in frustration before turning to Michael.

Michael was the picture of composure, setting down his glass of bourbon. “Brielle, now that you’ve been let go by Dorsey International and other companies aren’t willing to hire you, even if you have the talent, you’ve got no stage to shine on. If you say you love Max, you’ve got to show some real commitment.”

He shifted the conversation away from personal feelings. Those who had once ruled the business world weren’t to be trifled with by youngsters. From the moment Brielle and Max had entered, Michael had been plotting how to manipulate the situation to his advantage.

“I

Can offer you a chance, though. Ever heard of Stellar Stage Entertainment? It’s a subsidiary

of Dorsey International that’s been mismanaged since the new CEO took over three years ago. Dorsey International isn’t too concerned with this little venture, but what if I were to make you the executive CEO there? Would that interest you?”

Before Brielle could respond, the relatives were in an uproar. Sending Brielle to run another company as the executive CEO? Why should she get such a lucky break?

“Michael, Brielle isn’t one of us Dorsey folk. Is it really okay to hand her such a sweet deal on a silver platter? Surely we can’t just do her favors because she’s dating Max.”

“Yeah, she’s an outsider, after all. Why should she get to be an executive CEO?”

“And she claims it’s not about the Dorsey fortune, but I bet she’s already scheming on how to carve up our family assets.”

They dared not criticize Michael’s decision too fiercely, instead casting gloomy glances at Brielle, as if she had stolen their piece of pie.

But what nobody expected was for Max to outright reject the proposal. “I disagree, Father.”

Michael’s expression remained impassive as he toyed with a piece of mint on his drink, “If you disagree, then you’re free to leave. There’s no point in discussing this further. She’ll never

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enter our doors again with her head held high.”

Max stood up, ready to pull Brielle away with him, but Brielle stayed put, her gaze steady on Michael. “Michael, if I take the job as executive CEO of Stellar Stage Entertainment, what level of success do

you require before you’re satisfied?”

“A fifty–fold increase in performance.”

He said it casually as if such a monumental increase was as light as a feather. Anyone familiar with finance knew that such a figure was a Herculean task, reserved only for the titans of business. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Father!”

Max’s face grew cold, but Brielle continued, “And if I achieve that, you won’t stand in the way of me and Max anymore, correct?”

Michael paused, peering at Brielle as if measuring her courage. “You’ve got guts, taking on Stellar Stage Entertainment without even knowing the mess it’s in,” he chuckled. “Yes, I won’t object.”

A smile spread across Brielle’s face. “Then I accept.”

“Six months. If you don’t deliver, you and Max are through.”

“Agreed.”

As Brielle uttered that word, she felt Max tense beside her. He looked down at her, a flicker of hurt crossing his eyes.

Brielle couldn’t meet his gaze. “Michael is a man of his word. I trust you’ll keep your promise.” No sooner had she spoken than Max released her hand and strode towards the door, clearly

infuriated.

A smirk crossed Michael’s face. Brielle was still too young. No matter how strong or confident she was, her readiness to accept the challenge so swiftly in Max’s eyes translated to taking their relationship

lightly. It suggested that she wasn’t afraid to lose it, and that was precisely the problem.

He had always said that once the seed of doubt was planted, it was only a matter of time. before it took root.