Chapter 312

Emily continued to stir the pot.

“Ms. Alivia, you’re busting your hump overseas for Max’s career, while Max is back home and playing house with some trophy girlfriend. Are you really okay with that? Did Max ever promise to put a ring on it? With no promises, you’re still holding on after all these years. I can’t tell whether that’s devotion or just plain foolishness.”

But if mere words could sway Alivia, she wouldn’t have gotten to where she was today. She had climbed her way up the academic ladder to the research institute, unlike the shallow Emily. So, even though anger simmered inside her, Alivia still believed in doing what was expected of her.

She cracked a smile. “Emily, I’ve known Max for years, and I know exactly what kind of man he is. You don’t need to say these things to get under my skin. Don’t you understand why you’ve ended up in this mess?”

She leaned in close to Emily, her gaze dripping with disdain. “It’s because you see Max as just another guy. That’s what’s fueling your jealousy.”

Emily’s face turned a shade of sour grapes, not expecting Alivia to be so unmoved.

Emily stood up in a huff, no longer bothering to keep up appearances. “Alivia, don’t get it twisted and think Max is all yours. Just wait and see. When you get back, you’ll see how much the tables have turned.”

Alivia remained unshaken, confident in the knowledge that she had sent Noah to deal with Brielle. If Noah succeeded, what chance did Brielle stand with Max?

A woman of Brielle’s lowly stature could never catch Max’s eye. Alivia didn’t even have to lift a finger;

by using others, she could ensure Brielle wouldn’t get far. She wasn’t about to make an embarrassing exit like Emily.

After Emily left, Alivia sent a text to her brother. [Hey Kenzo, what’s Max up to these days?]

Kenzo, lounging on the couch, saw the phone vibrate but ignored it. Ten minutes later, he picked it up and replied with a single word. [Working.]

That wasn’t the answer Alivia was looking for. [Kenzo, you know that’s not what I meant.]

Kenzo chuckled, his fingers tapping out a response. [Max isn’t planning on settling down with anyone.]

Alivia breathed a sigh of relief. That was Max for you. And she didn’t need his love, just his loyalty.

After sending the message, Kenzo stared at his phone, lost in thought. Tthere was no reply–it seemed he had reassured his sister.

Kenzo’s place was a haven of tranquility, with hardly a servant in sight. In the spacious living room, he sat with perfect posture on the sofa, thumbing through a book.

215-06 He recalled Andrew’s nosy comments during a phone call about Max growing tired of Brielle. Was it true? Perhaps only Andrew belleved what Max had said.

Kenzo smirked, his mindset unchanged from the past. He enjoyed watching these clever souls hurt and chase after each other, only to eventually drift apart.

However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off at Dorsey International lately. Max probably sensed it, too.

Meanwhile, Max sat on an oaken chair, opposite a man with snow–white hair practicing his calligraphy.

This was Michael.

Neither spoke, but Max was far from nervous.

Michael finished a piece of calligraphy and set down his pen methodically. “Bradley’s business.

got snatched up by William last night. He came to me, and since the bid didn’t seem like a bi deal I let him go for it. I didn’t realize it was a project you’d already vetoed.”

He was explaining to Max, and that was precisely why Max had come tonight. Only in the afternoon, when Max saw Bradley’s people around, did he realize Bradley had signed a new deal without his consent. They’d gone over his head, straight to the patriarch–what was this about?

“Father, I’d prefer you not to intervene in the company’s affairs.”

Michael rubbed his temples, aware that Max could be quite stubborn. A man with absolute control over Dorsey International would not tolerate his authority being trampled on. It was a rule of survival in the business world.

“Max, I didn’t expect William would want a project you’d already dropped. There was nothing. wrong with it, and Bradley chose this company after careful consideration. Why kick them to the curb right before signing the contract? What will others say about Dorsey International–that we’re not true to our word?”

Max, of course, wouldn’t admit that he’d done it because the wife of Bradley’s CEO had wronged Brielle. Brielle’s leg had suffered a second fracture, all because of Catherine’s doing.

“What does it matter if the world thinks we’re not true to our word? It doesn’t affect Dorsey International’s standing.”

In the face of absolute strength, rumors were nothing but passing clouds.

Michael stared at Max, having never doubted his son’s competence, or perhaps his coldness. but it was only now that he realized how much he’d aged.

He waved the matter aside. “Alright, then tell me why you canceled the partnership.