Chapter 496
Panic seized him, and fear knotted in his stomach. Spencer had known Brielle for over a decade, and the thought of her belonging wholly to someone else sent a sharp pain through his heart.
Brielle’s disdain for him was as clear as day, just as her fondness for Max was unmistakably apparent.
It dawned on him that his affection had been one–sided all along. He had thought Brielle was coming to see him last night, and for a fleeting moment, he had envisioned a thousand ways to make her happy in the future. He had thought, perhaps naively, that he held some place in her heart after all these years, considering how kind she used to be to him. But now, looking back, all he felt was regret and an unwillingness to let go.
Spencer was desperate, a man grasping at straws. He slowly stood up, but his legs, numb from kneeling too long, gave way, and he was forced to kneel again.
A smirk flashed across William’s eyes as he kindly offered a helping hand. “Max reigns supreme in the Dorsey family; you can’t touch him. But with your status, taking Brielle down should be easy. Didn’t I teach you before? Destroy her career and her social circle, and she’ll have no choice but to follow your lead.”
Spencer’s fingers clenched suddenly. If Brielle was destined to hate him, he might as well deepen that hatred. At least then, she would never forget him for as long as she lived! He wanted her to feel a stab of pain every time she thought of the name Spencer!
A touch of madness crept onto Spencer’s face. “Uncle, I’ve got it.”
William raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
All William had to do was sit back and watch the drama unfold. Since last night, Max and Brielle had positioned themselves against the Dorsey and Barnes families, and all William had to do was fan the flames at the right moment. Max’s greatest blunder was letting a woman cause such disappointment in his father.
Both the Dorsey and Barnes families were restless, watching each other with bated breath. Yet, for Brielle and Max, life seemed tranquil.
After breakfast, she wanted to ask Max about everything that had happened in recent days. Seeing the faint dark circles under his eyes, she guessed he hadn’t had an easy time either. If he hadn’t forgotten their memories, then he must have had a reason for his deliberate actions.
Had her impulsive visit disrupted his own plans? With so many witnesses last night, the social. circles were probably buzzing about their affair now.
Brielle lowered her lashes, sitting on the bed. She couldn’t help but lift her hand to wrap around Max’s waist.
Max was standing at the bedside, so this gesture only caused her head to rest against his side.
17:59
Brielle closed her eyes, silent. In everyone’s eyes, Max had always been an untouchable idol. But now he was involved with his junior’s former flancée and had forgone an alliance with the Barnes family. It was as if his pedestal was quaking, and his walls were about to crumble.
People reveled in his high–flying status and equally relished the prospect of his fall. She didn’t know how many in Beaconsfield were waiting to see him stumble. At this moment, all she wanted was to grow stronger so that his reputation wouldn’t suffer, and ensure he had no weaknesses.
She was filled with a burning determination to call Mason right then and draft a few hundred. pages of proposals, but skyscrapers weren’t built overnight. Without a solid foundation, such structures couldn’t withstand even the slightest breeze.
She looked at Max, and he was already gazing down at her. His eyelashes were long, casting deep shadows over his eyelids.
Brielle’s heart melted. She had so many questions, but the fact that he had done everything for her was enough. Whether their future held moonlight or high altitudes, she was willing to stand. by him. Even if it meant crossing eighty–one trials, she didn’t want to let go of Max. This man was the kindest to her in all the world and asked for nothing in return.
Their eyes met, and both, almost embarrassingly, looked away first. Despite their history, this was the first time they recognized each other clearly as partners, as boyfriend and girlfriend.
From now on, they could walk out hand in hand without anyone labeling Brielle as Spencer’s former fiancée. She was finally free of that tag. They could do all the things couples did – watch movies, dine out, or even invite a few friends for a barbecue in the great outdoors. All these romantic experiences were something they had yet to cherish.
Max felt a bit out of his depth. He had finally claimed Brielle as his own, but what now? What was dating supposed to be like? He didn’t really understand.
Brielle let go of his waist. “You never had amnesia?”
“Hmm.”
“Then why pretend to have it?”
Amused, Max found their current situation somewhat comical. They were now seated in the car, him in the backseat, Brielle facing him. Patrick, in the driver’s seat, discreetly lowered the partition.
“I didn’t.”
He had never claimed to have lost his memory; it was merely everyone else’s assumption.
