Chapter 551

Alivia’s smile deepened with every thought that danced through her mind. She was done getting her own hands dirty dealing with Brielle. Why bother when she could manipulate others to do her dirty work as she had done with Tessa? She just had to sit back and reap the rewards Take Sydney, for instance. She was nothing more than a pawn in her game. No matter how much rage or frustration bubbled within Sydney, without Max’s heart in her grasp, she was merely clay in Alivia’s hands.

Alivia’s gaze skated over Sydney’s face with undisguised contempt. “Keep looking at me with those eyes, and believe me, I can have someone gouge them out before you can even blink,”

she hissed.

Sydney shivered, fear creeping into her bones, and she quickly looked down. “Ms. Alivia, I’ve done as you asked. Can’t you just let me be now?”

Alivia stood up, patting Sydney’s cheek condescendingly. “Next time I tell you to jump, you ask, ‘How high? Your little plans are transparent to me. This building is full of mirrors, Sydney. Take a long look at yourself. With that pitiful, sour expression, do you really think Max would spare you a second glance?”

The scorn in Alivia’s eyes was impossible to miss. Sydney clenched her teeth so hard her gums ached, her eyes reddening with suppressed anger. But she was helpless, forced to watch Alivia strut away with her designer bag, leaving her to stew in her own turmoil.

Sydney’s breathing was shaky as she swept the documents from her desk in a fit of rage. She had to stay calm. After all, getting Max to forget Brielle quickly was also in her best interest. Only then could she climb the ladder.

Upstairs, Max sat staring blankly at the black rosary beads on his desk, memories of Brielle wearing them flashing through his mind. He massaged his temples, the headache intensifying, and then his phone rang–it was Brielle.

The rosary lay beside the phone, a stark reminder that she hadn’t taken it with her. He stood, reaching for the documents underneath, inadvertently sending the beads clattering to the floor. The sound of the phone and the beads mingled as he stooped to pick them up. wrapping them in a tissue.

After rescheduling all his meetings online, he headed straight back to the Premier Palace. Upon arrival, he handed the rosary to Wesley. “Sanitize it.”

Sydney had touched it, and who knew who else had?

Wesley knew the significance of the beads. Aware of his boss‘ preference for cleanliness, he quickly took the wrapped item and sanitized it thoroughly before returning it.

Max then placed the rosary inside a box. He did not want to deal with the confrontation that would inevitably come from answering Brielle’s call. Instead, he merely sent her a message.

15-17 [Focus on your work for now.]

Brielle received the text while sitting in a boardroom surrounded by the senior executives, many of whom had rushed in so hastily that their suits were wrinkled.

Already in a foul mood, Brielle’s face darkened further at the sight. “The HR department will note the names of those absent and prepare their termination papers. I don’t want to see them in this company again.”

it was the first time so many employees were going to be dismissed at once, many of whom were deeply entrenched in the company. The HR head hesitated, knowing the implications.

Brielle fixed him with an icy stare, “What, we don’t have replacements ready for such a large company?

If not, perhaps HR should start recruiting online now?”

“Ms. Haywood,” someone interjected, “letting them go so abruptly will impact the company.”

Brielle’s response was chilling as she tossed the document onto the marble table. “Oh really? Please enlighten me, does our company’s performance have any room to fall further?”

The room fell silent, the intent behind Brielle’s words clear as crystal. With no further room for decline, the fate of each employee rested solely on her current mood. After all, those seated around her held no shares, and the representatives sent by Dorsey International had veto power.

Brielle’s gaze swept across each face. “I have an excellent memory. Until we have new hires, I expect to see these same faces. I’m not interested in any excuses from those who failed to show up today.

They’ve had their chance. They just didn’t seize it. One more word out of line, and you can hand over your seat to them and take their place in leaving.“