Chapter 424

Her fingers tensed momentarily, but she couldn’t pretend she hadn’t seen it.

Max’s hair was slightly coarse, and from her vantage point, she could see the perfect arch of his proud nose. Brielle’s mind was awash with thoughts, yet she ultimately refrained from asking directly.

Max sensed her standing behind him, lost in thought, and reached back to catch the tip of her pinky with his hand.

From a man like him, such small gestures could sweep you off your feet. Brielle’s cheeks flushed, but the mysterious kiss mark also left a sour taste in her heart.

Thinking she was feeling unwell, Max suggested, “Brielle, I’ll take you to the hospital for a check–up.”

Hospital. Check–up. That would mean her secret would be out.

The words Max shared with Michael the night before haunted her, and she didn’t have the heart to reveal the truth at this moment. Any hesitation on Max’s part could shatter her defenses.

Max took his jacket, ready to head to the hospital, but Brielle stood tall. “I’m really okay. You focus on your afternoon tasks. I remember you have an important meeting later, but I probably won’t be able to attend. I need to go home and grab some documents.”

Max was still worried, but Brielle changed the subject. “Didn’t you return to Premier Palace last night?”

He nodded, the fatigue visible in his brow. “There was a bit of trouble with Mother.”

It had been only two days since their return to the city, and Martha seemed to be struggling to adapt.

Something here seemed to trigger her innermost fears. Doctors abroad had already said they needed to find the root cause of her condition.

When Martha had an episode, she could get violent. She already had an outburst since arriving. Max had rushed over last night, staying with Alivia to soothe his mother until daylight. It’s more exhausting than a night’s work.

“Alivia was there too?”

“Yes, my mother relies heavily on her. Often, she only listens to her.”

This was the worst–case scenario, Brielle bit her lip, piecing together how that kiss mark came to be.

She had deliberately angered Alivia, and Alivia was paying her back in kind.

It was a taunt – don’t think you’re special to Max. He may sleep with you, but he’s not done with me either. You, Brielle, are not the only one.

Brielle felt weary. She could let this slide once, but what about the ‘next time or the time after? Alivia’s presence was like a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

Such petty tactics were meant to whittle down her affection for Max. If Brielle were to lose faith in Max, it would play right into Alivia’s hands.

Taking a deep breath, Brielle stepped forward and buried her head in his chest. Around Max, she always retracted her outward thorns, so he patted her back. “What’s wrong?”

“Can you promise me something? Just like you asked me to stay away from Dustin, can you stay away from Alivia?”

They both had their demands, and both had to abide by them until she grew stronger. Even though it was very hard to swallow.

Max’s hand paused, his brow furrowing. He hadn’t allowed Alivia anywhere near him. No touch, not even a fingertip, but frequent meetings were inevitable with his mother coming from abroad.

“Brielle, I’m not that kind of man.”

Brielle closed her eyes, feeling weary.

Outside the door, Spencer watched Sydney with a detached gaze.

Sydney bit her lip in fear.

Spencer chuckled lightly, “Did you tell Brielle?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Good, because it’s not your first time, and it probably isn’t worth five million, right?” His tone was biting, his look disdainful Sydney felt both shame and anger but knew Spencer was a man of the Dorsey family, someone not to be defied. Not everyone could be like Brielle, bold enough to splash coffee on his head.

“I want you to befriend Brielle and keep an eye on her for me. Report everything back to me.

Understand? Use any means necessary to get close to her, ideally to gain her complete trust.”