Chapter 554

Ricardo’s confidence suddenly deflated, and Brielle, standing by with a frown creasing her brow. just wanted to hurry over to Max’s place. Why was there always something blocking her path?

“How much is it?”

Keagan was taken aback and instinctively responded, “He owes a million now.”

“A thousand in principal, and now you’re asking him to pay back a million with compounded interest.

Isn’t that a bit heartless?”

“Ms. Haywood, he signed the contract himself.”

Brielle stared at the document, clearly written in black and white, her expression growing cold. “Send me the account details. I’ll transfer the money to you later. And stop giving him a hard time in the future.”

Keagan’s gaze flitted between the two, noting Ricardo’s reddening ears and Brielle’s icy demeanor, and snickered, “Looks like you’ve taken a shine to him, Ms. Haywood.”

Brielle turned her head and glanced at a bewildered Ricardo. “Next time, before signing anything, get a lawyer to look it over. Even if you can’t find one, there’s free legal advice.

online.”

Ricardo understood that Brielle thought him foolish for always getting duped, and he nodded in agreement.

Brielle immediately transferred a million to Keagan, who walked away satisfied upon receiving the money. He even turned back to snap a few photos of them standing together, sending them to a certain number. The picture had an artistic flair to it. It was merely Brielle looking up and lecturing the younger Ricardo, but with the sunset outside the hall, the scene took on an ambiguous hue.

After sending the photo, a dark chuckle escaped Keagan’s lips, and he said no more.

And soon enough, the photo landed on Max’s phone. At that moment, Max was in a meeting in the study of Premier Palace. His expression darkened upon seeing the photo. He suspended the meeting, giving the attendees fifteen minutes to refine their wording, while he stepped out into the hallway to call Michael.

“Max.”

“Father, such tactics are beneath your dignity.”

Michael let out a soft chuckle, placing a white chess piece on the board in front of him. “But you’re anxious, aren’t you?”

Max didn’t respond, and Michael’s voice continued. “When Brielle was at Dorsey International, she saw you often and didn’t have time for distractions. But showbiz is different, and it can Top 4 corrupt the soul She’s just a child raised in foster care. Who knows how much resentment she’s built up over the years? When she sees someone who’s been in her shoes, she can’t help but offer a helping hand. The young man’s got talent, I hear. Brielle just paid off a million for him. She’s never been so generous with herself, but she’s soft hearted to an outsider.”

Max gripped his phone tightly, a storm brewing in his gaze. “If these are the extent of your tactics, Father, I will be very disappointed.”

“Of course, there’s more to come. You’ll see, Max. I’ve said before, you and Brielle won’t make it You don’t really trust her, and she’s not that into you. Today, she’s soft–hearted towards that boy, and tomorrow, she could be softer still. That boy is from her world, she doesn’t have to worry about being unworthy or strain on her tiptoes to reach. It won’t be exhausting for her.”

Each of Michael’s words was heavy, pressing on Max’s chest. Max felt a pang of defeat, something he had never experienced in the business world.

Would Brielle really be tired of him? He never wanted her to tiptoe to reach him.

“Max, Jose and I are playing chess, so I won’t keep you. This is just the first day. There will be many more incidents to come. As the heir to Dorsey International, the president no less, are you really going to fret over a woman? If you were with Alivia, you wouldn’t be suffering like this.”

The old man’s cunning was evident. Michael had successfully manipulated the psychology of a couple in love, with Alivia adding fuel to the fire for good measure.

After hanging up, Max asked Patrick, who was standing by, “Check Brielle’s accounts.”

Once the meeting was over half an hour later, Patrick came in with the report. “Sir, Ms. Brielle’s account is indeed short of one million.”

Max’s fingers twitched. He thought he’d be angry, but he wasn’t. There was no anger, no rage, just a faint sense of being slighted. It was like his heart had been bitten by a venomous creature, the toxin slowly injecting into his body, turning his limbs cold.

On the very first day, the very first day, Brielle had spent a million on a stranger.

She and Max had known each other for so long, and the scarf Brielle was knitting for him was still unfinished. Beyond that, there seemed to be nothing else.

The worst thing was the comparison.

He felt his heart completely numbed by the toxin, as if a hole had been torn open and cold winds were pouring in.