Chapter 431
Alivia thought for sure that Brielle would be a bundle of nerves, maybe even shoot Max some subtle, desperate looks. But from start to finish, Brielle was the picture of composure.
The cooler she remained, the more Alivia felt like a jester, juggling her emotions for naught.
A flash of bitterness crossed Alivia’s eyes as she tilted her head up to Max and said, “Since you’ve brought Ms. Brielle along. I’ll skip going in. You must want her to meet your mum, right? I’d just be a third wheel. I’ll swing by this afternoon.”
H
To any guy, it sounded like the epitome of understanding – faultlessly so. It was at this moment that Brielle realized Alivia could play the game far better than she had expected.
Such a woman was truly formidable.
Hearing Alivia’s words, Max simply nodded. Alivia flashed a smile at Brielle, a cursory greeting of sorts, before making a swift exit.
The moment she turned away, her face twisted slightly. The thought of Brielle carrying a child and the possibility of Max finding out any minute now, had her on pins and needles.
She bowed her head and shot a text to Martha. [Aunt Martha, Max has brought that woman to see you. I think I’ll stay away to avoid being a burden. If you need someone to chat with, just holler.]
Just moments ago, she’d been all magnanimity, but in her message to Martha, she played the pity card to the hilt. Since Max was with another woman, it was best for Alivia to lie low.
Martha trembled with fury upon reading the message. Alivia wasn’t concerned about Marthal actually getting sick. A meltdown would play right into her hands, perhaps even lead to Martha dealing with Brielle’s “problem” personally.
Max and Brielle stood at the door. Max pushed it open and saw Martha by the window, phone in
hand.
Strolling over, Max asked, “Mother, feeling any better today?”
Martha’s gaze
was sharp, slicing past him to land squarely on Brielle, but it was fleeting, and her expression quickly softened. “Better, thanks to Alivia. She found some caretakers to keep me company. They’re quite the chatterboxes.”
Then, her eyes slid over to Brielle, giving her a thorough once–over. Brielle frowned, sensing a distinct discomfort, as if she’d been appraised inside and out and judged quite unfavorably.
“Max, who might this be?” Martha asked, delicately sipping tea from a nearby cup.
“She’s a director at Dorsey International. Thought I’d bring her by to see you,” Max replied.
Martha felt a wave of scorn well up inside her. Was this the seductress who had bewitched Max? Sure, she was attractive enough up close, but she paled in comparison to Alivia. Martha
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Chapter 431
was certain that Max had been tricked by her allure. Her heart twisted uncomfortably at the thought of the text she’d received from Alivia, displaying her fake distress.
Alivia was the daughter–in–law Martha had picked out, and there was no way she should step aside for some nobody.
Knowing her son, Martha realized that the more she resisted, the likelier Max was to ignore her completely. He’d always been independent, with his own way of thinking and doing things. Any misstep now could make things worse.
So Martha nodded. “If you’re by his side, you must be quite capable. Max, the doctor had a word with me this morning about some new medication. He said to have a word with you when you arrived.”
Knowing the importance of the medication, Max got up, instinctively ready to whisk Brielle away with him, when Martha interjected, “Leave the young lady here, Max. With Alivia absent, I could use the company.”
Oblivious to Martha’s full grasp of his relationship with Brielle, Max turned to see if Brielle was okay with staying. She nodded slowly, sensing Martha had something to say to her alone.
Once Max was gone, Martha dropped the facade, her gaze returning to that uncomfortable scrutiny. Despite feeling slighted, Brielle, as the younger person in the presence of an elder. chose to remain silent.
“Ms. Brielle, which Beaconfield clan do you hail from?”
“None. I was raised in an orphanage,” Brielle replied.
A dangerous glint passed through Martha’s eyes. An orphan upstart had climbed her way into her son’s life? It was laughable.
“Have you been done it with Max?”
The question hung heavy in the air, the silence between them thick and suffocating. Brielle felt the cold of Martha’s indifference seep into her fingertips.
Martha knew everything.
