Chapter 535

“You seriously make me sick.”

Brielle’s tone was indifferent, she didn’t bother with a response as she headed towards the front door.

Spencer was curled up on the ground like a squashed bug, clenching his teeth so hard from the pain he wanted to howl.

When Tiffanie came out, all she saw was Spencer twisted up on the pavement. She jumped back, startled, and couldn’t help asking, “Are you alright?”

“Get lost.” Spencer spat out the words, his fists clenched tight, and his eyes fiercely fixed on the direction Brielle had left. He was determined to get what he wanted.

Tiffanie quickly moved forward and finally caught up with Brielle, not too far from the gate.

“Did you just chase Max off? Let me give you a lift back.”

Brielle stood still, looking at the deserted street, her lips twitching into a wry smile. “That would be great. Thanks.”

Tiffanie sighed, “Not to rag on you, but if I were Maxie, I’d be pissed too. You agreed to something without even knowing what’s going on at Stellar Stage Entertainment. I seriously wonder if you even like Maxie. Did you see the look in his eyes? It was heartbreaking.”

It was the first time Tiffanie had seen that kind of expression on Max’s face, and it tugged at her heartstrings. For a moment, she even felt a bit resentful towards Brielle. If Max had fallen for any other woman, his life would’ve been smooth sailing, but loving Brielle turned the whole world into an obstacle course. And Brielle’s attitude didn’t help either. Sometimes, Tiffanie felt Maxie deserved better.

Tiffanie pulled the car around and gave Brielle a run–down of the situation at Stellar Stage Entertainment.

“In a nutshell, it’s a hot mess. You know Ryan’s reputation; he always messed around, using Stellar Stage as his playground. Eighty percent of those artists have been passed around to the bigwigs in Beaconsfield. No matter their gender, they’re just currency in the hands of the rich. At Dorsey International, you handled mergers and acquisitions, but over there, it’s all about schmoozing and politics. And increasing performance by fifty times in six months? Brielle, I have faith in you, but even I doubt you can pull that off.”

And even if she did, who knew what her grandfather would do? Would he really stop interfering, or would he pull some other stunt?

Brielle closed her eyes, leaning back in her seat. Her mind was on the festively decorated streets, thinking of the paired couplets and lanterns, and the tacky fairy lights at Premier Palace.

It was New Year’s, their first together, and it was a total mess. Not even a ‘Happy New Year‘

Carter 535 was exchanged, and now he had disappeared for over twenty–four hours and walked out on her again.

Brielle felt exhausted, yet she spoke with confidence, “If I hadn’t agreed, what do you think I’d be facing tonight?”

Tiffanie’s grin on the steering wheel tightened, and she fell silent. Right, if Brielle hadn’t agreed, would her grandfather have really let her walk away?

Brielle watched the streetlights cast flickering shadows on her face through the window.

“Before I got here, I did some digging on Michael. He’s got one up on Max – during his time in charge, no one disappeared from the family, but under Michael’s reign, many did, including the Dorsey’s third in line, who’s never returned to Beaconsfield. Who knows what really happened to him? Sure, Max drove people to ruin, but that was all in the finance game. You play, you risk losing. Michael, though, his methods were far more brutal; he could strip away humanity.”

So, if he could be ruthless with his own kin, what more could Brielle expect? Her research had shown as much. People mellowed with age: Otherwise, Ryan would have been long gone from the Dorsey fold, not just sent away from Beaconsfield.

Since Michael had summoned her, there had to be a conclusion: Either comply with his demands within six months or refuse and be eliminated on the way back. She had not choice.

Hearing her analysis sent a chill through Tiffanie, who suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Brielle continued. “When I saw Everett sitting there, it felt like a warning from Michael. If I don’t play by his rules, I’m next.”

Disbelief flickered in Tiffanie’s eyes, and sweat beaded on her forehead as she grasped the true purpose of her grandfather inviting Everett. It wasn’t acknowledgment but a stark example for Brielle of what happens to those who disobey.

Silently potent, it struck at the core, draining the will to resist. There, Everett sat, silent as a tombstone, a haunting reminder to Brielle of what lay ahead if she strayed from the path.