Chapter 194

Brielle knew he was angry, so she quickly fastened her seatbelt securely. “It’s the pain talking.

nonsense, that’s all.”

Max had a bit of booze tonight, a subtle scent of whiskey lingering about him, and after Dustin got under his skin, he felt the rush of blood making the buzz hit harder. At her words, he just arched an eyebrow slightly.

Gripping the steering wheel Brielle wanted to say something more, to sort of patch things up, but then Max’s phone started to ring. He didn’t respond, closing his eyes with a cold and indifferent expression.

“Mr. Dorsey, your phone’s ringing.” Brielle reminded, breaking the icy silence.

Max’s eyelashes fluttered as he took out his phone and pressed the answer button.

Brielle couldn’t make out what was said on the other end, but Max’s face turned to stone, and the air seemed to freeze over even more. She felt like she might get frostbite, her lips involuntarily starting to quiver.

She heard Max let out a sardonic chuckle. “He can’t sit still, can he?” The sarcasm was thick in his voice.

Just as Brielle was about to take a turn, she saw him end the call, his voice cold as ice. “Forget Premier Palace. Head to the hotel.”

Brielle was taken aback, unclear about what had just happened, but then she heard herself ask, “You went to the police station?”

She hadn’t planned to bring it up, just mentioned postponing her business trip. Now, with him asking, she simply nodded.

“Yeah, ran into some trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“Got a threatening text, and someone broke into my place. The cops were all around my apartment, but I don’t dare stay there alone right now. Thankfully. Patrick’s waiting for me downstairs.”

followed by the break–in–she couldn’t for the life of her piece it all together. Aside from their past grievances, there didn’t seem to be any entanglement between her and Sophia. So what was the game plan of the person behind all this?

First Sophia’s disappearance, then the threatening message “Next time something like this happens, tell me earlier.”

There was warmth in Brielle’s heart. “Sure, which hotel?”

Before she could finish, she noticed in the rearview mirror some flashes of light. Her brow 14:15 furrowed–were they being followed?

Max noticed too, a slight smirk playing on his lips, “Someone’s well–prepared.”

Brielle didn’t grasp his meaning but played along, “So, we’re still heading to the hotel?”

Max rubbed his forehead, “I’ll have to swing back to Premier Palace later. Can’t let the show go on without me.”

Brielle frowned, “What’s going on?”

“William’s probably caught wind of our connection.”

Brielle tensed up. She always knew William was no simple character, but how had he found out about this? Even Spencer was in the dark.

Her confusion deepened, but then she heard Max, “I’ll have some people keep an eye on you. Stay vigilant these days.”

Was she getting entangled in the Dorsey family feud?

“What did William do?”

“My father’s waiting at Premier Palace right now.”

It clicked for Brielle. If they went to Premier Palace now, it would be walking right into a trap. But how would William know she’d be heading back there tonight, especially this late? And for what reason would Michael join him in this night–time escapade?

This was Dorsey family drama, and Brielle didn’t want to pry further. “I’ll just go to the hotel.

then.”

“I’ll take you to a hotel under Dorsey International. I’ve got a suite there, and you’ll be well looked after.”

It was the first time Brielle truly sensed the internal strife of Dorsey International, and she wanted no part in it. If William really knew about her entanglement with Max, she feared her days ahead would be anything but calm.

Max personally dropped her off at the hotel, and just before he left, he suddenly turned to ask. “What’s the deal with the photos of you and Spencer?”