Chapter 200

The words struck Brielle like a needle, piercing deep into the core of her heart. Yet she didn’t show a flicker of emotion on her face, even daring to look up and meet his gaze head–on.

“Spencer’s treatment of me over the years is no secret, Mr. William. You of all people should be well aware. My connection to him was nothing more than a broken engagement. I never had the privilege of meeting Max’s mother. As for Mr. Dorsey and Alivia, they’re a match made in heaven, aren’t they? A perfect pair if ever there was one.”

She was so focused on her words that she didn’t even notice the elevator doors opening. Max and several executives stood there, having caught every word she said.

William raised an eyebrow, glancing behind Brielle with a smirk. “So, Brielle, you’re here to congratulate Max and Alivia too? Perfect, you can tell Max yourself.”

A chill seemed to creep up from behind her, cold enough to seep into her very bones. She turned around and, sure enough, there was Max, his face impassive as if her words hadn’t touched him at all.

It was the executive elevator. Running into them was to be expected.

Brielle’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively avoided meeting his gaze. The other executives seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere. The head of Human Resources quickly interjected to smooth things over, “Ms. Haywood, the meeting’s been moved downstairs.”

Brielle’s hand at her side twitched slightly. “Alright,” she whispered.

Standing to the side, her heart pounding, she heard William chatting with Max, but Max was always a man of few words, hardly ever responding with more than two.

The meeting room had been moved to her department’s floor. She had earlier ordered someone to remove the flowers she received, but they, thinking it wasteful to throw them away, placed a sign by them instead-“Flowers Free to a Good Home.”

One of the executives commented, “Nice atmosphere on this floor.”

Someone from her department was fetching flowers, replying respectfully. “They were originally for Ms.

Haywood.”

All at once, the executives‘ gazes turned to Brielle. “Didn’t know you were so popular, Ms. Haywood,”

they teased.

Brielle forced a bitter smile.

Max approached the flowers, his fingers deftly plucking one. His fingers were long and attractive, the red petals stark against his skin, and to Brielle, it felt as if he was squeezing the life out of her throat.

She swallowed hard, only to see him silently head to the adjacent room, prepared for the meeting.

14:16 Throughout the meeting, she was on edge, until an exécutive asked about her travel plans. Standing, she responded. “There’s been a situation. I’ve taken a few days off. Once that’s sorted, I’ll be ready to travel.”

“Ms. Haywood, that’s where you’re wrong. What personal issue could possibly be more important than company business?”

“Mr. Noah is already chatting with Ms. Alivia, and here you are, still in the country. You don’t seem to be busy with anything urgent.”

Amidst the murmurs, William spoke up. “Brielle, when you say ‘a situation,‘ you don’t mean mending fences with Spencer, do you? If it’s a matter of the heart, we might understand. After all, you and Mr.

Noah are competitors. Whether you win or Mr. Noah does, the company benefits. Right, Max?”

Brielle mentally cursed William a thousand times, wishing he’d shut up.

Max played with his pen, his lashes casting cold shadows. “The meeting is not a place for personal matters.”

The room went silent, no one daring to tease any further.

Some flattered Alivia, others stated the new investment was bound to succeed, merely steps away from wishing Max and Alivia a lifelong happiness.

Max remained aloof, and as the meeting ended, he left with the other executives.

Brielle sat still, watching William rise and offer her a warm smile. She clenched her teeth in silent rage, standing to chase after him, only to see Spencer waiting in the corridor. A hush fell over the department.

Spencer raised an eyebrow at Brielle’s approach, his stride confident as he closed the distance.

“Lillian’s in the hospital. You’re coming with me to see her.”