Chapter 177

The reporter nodded with satisfaction, pulling out his smartphone to display his account.

A hefty sum of ten thousand dollars swiftly landed in his account. He dove into a few online forums and, true to his word, shared the photos far and wide.

Meanwhile, Spencer sat numbly in his car, staring blankly at the palm of his hand where he could still feel the lingering warmth of Brielle’s touch.

Over the years, Spencer and Brielle hadn’t been close. There were no hugs, no kisses, none of the usual couple’s intimacies had passed between them.

When he had pinned her down earlier, he was struck by the vividness of her expression.

But the thought of her showing that face to other men made Spencer’s stomach turn.

Brielle’s performance at the banquet embarrassed him greatly, and he was determined to retaliate.

That was why he deliberately orchestrated this scene.

Brielle’s eagerness to sever ties only made Spencer more determined to keep her entangled in his life.

As for Lillian, a little sweet–talk would smooth things over.

His mother was right: Lillian’s reputation was tarnished, and his grandfather wouldn’t allow him to be entangled with a woman of her standing. He just couldn’t let her go.

If he could keep Lillian, why couldn’t he do the same for Brielle?

With Brielle’s history with men, what was one more to her? And after all these years without any real intimacy between them, he felt owed.

He was sure Brielle would come crawling back to him in tears.

Back at her apartment, Brielle bolted her door with shaking hands, her head pounding with rage and distress.

She hadn’t eaten much at the banquet last night and had missed breakfast this morning. Spencer’s outburst left her stomach in knots, and she rushed to the bathroom.

All she could bring up was bile, and cold sweat broke out across her forehead. She stumbled back to the couch, the room spinning before her eyes.

She felt like she was paying for some past–life debt to Spencer.

Clutching her phone, she tried to dial for an ambulance, but her vision blurred, and her hands shook too much to see whom she was calling. Overcome with pain, she passed out.

The Dorsey family home was bustling with excitement. Michael and Jose had returned from their vacation, and it was the perfect occasion for a family dinner, a gathering of generations.

Max was pulled away from overtime at the office by a call from Michael.

14:11 With Jose staying for dinner, it was only proper for the younger family members, including Max. to join.

Other relatives rushed to the residence, even including Ryan, recently stripped of his position, who hoped to leave a good impression on the family elder..

Max, finishing a work call, was about to step into the hall when his phone buzzed again.

Inside the house, the voices of the two old gentlemen conversing could be heard, along with the compliments from the younger generation. He heard someone call his name and reflexively attempted to hang up the phone.

However, the screen flashed Brielle’s name.

Pausing. Max stepped aside. “What’s up?”

There was no response, just an intermittent breathing and a muffled groan of distress.

Without a second thought, Max headed out, the servant who had opened the door for him only catching a glimpse of his retreating back and calling out, “Where are you off to, sir?”

But by then. Max was gone.

He p got into the car and had someone locate Brielle’s phone. When he found out she was at her apartment, he sighed in relief and stepped on the gas.

Max rarely drove himself, but this time, he pushed the speed to the maximum. After reaching. the building, he saw the neighboring lady again in the corridor.

Seeing him, her eyes lit up.

“Oh, it’s you! Still caught up with Brielle, huh? Remember that kid I told you about? I’ve got a picture, she’s a real cutie.”