Chapter 557

“Mr Dorsey, don’t worry. Ms. Brielle is bound to come back tonight. Patrick’s statement hung in the air as he fell silent, fully aware of how Michael’s tactics went straight for the jugular.

Indeed, Michael was the one who knew Max best, and thus, he knew exactly how to twist the knife to make it hurt the most. And Ms. Brielle wasn’t answering her phone, leaving everyone clueless about what was going on with her.

“Yeah.” Max’s tone was indifferent as he opened his laptop, seemingly having gotten his emotions under control.

Patrick had the housekeeper sweep up the fragments of the broken phone and equipped Max with a new one.

The overseas acquisition had drained a lot of manpower and resources, and after a heavy initial promotional push, it required Max’s personal touch on many decisions. He couldn’t afford to drop the ball now, not with the hard work of several branches on the line for the past six months.

After pinpointing several issues and reviewing the report one last time to ensure there were no mistakes, he declared the meeting adjourned.

The meeting had stretched on for two hours. Later, Max left his study to sit on the sofa in the ground floor living room, quietly waiting for Brielle’s return.

First, it was the rosary, then the million–dollar issue, followed by her trip to the orphanage with someone else. Max wondered which issue Brielle would tackle first when she explained herself.

As long as she explained, he couldn’t bear to be angry with her. He had never wanted to be angry with her.

Brielle woke up on the orphanage’s sofa to see that it was already eleven o’clock. She was suddenly anxious and quickly stood up..

The kids had all gone to bed, and Ricardo was playing with his phone on another sofa, seemingly busy texting someone. When he saw her wake up, he put his phone away. “Ms. Haywood, you’re up? Are you hungry?”

Brielle did feel hungry. She had been both tired and hungry before falling asleep. She was no longer tired, but her stomach was painfully empty. “Ricardo, why haven’t you gone home yet?” “I was worried about you. So I thought I’d wait until you were awake before leaving.”

Brielle, usually oblivious to others‘ feelings, didn’t think much of this nineteen–year–old boy’s concern for her. She got to her feet and saw that he had somehow produced a bowl of oatmeal. “Ms. Haywood, have this before you go.”

“No, it’s too late. I need to get back, and someone’s waiting for me at home.”

at pad the Pud down and followed her can “Abight. Til walk you for Streethe didnt really does an esppit, but it was hard to refuse the gesture (ince she was in her she saw Ricando standing by waiting for a nah But at this hour, finding a taxt near the piphanage was a fost comes the didnt know how long he would wait there alone, As fidelle qhove away, she said flatly. Til drop you off where there are more people so you can get a cab back. Sorry, I really have an emergency tonight. Someone’s waiting for me at home “Mi Haywood I don’t need a ride. If someone’s waiting for you, then you should get going”

Ricardo’s gaze was clear and innocent. Brielle, rubbing her temples, relented, “Get in”

He couldn’t refuse and got into the car. When they reached a bustling crossroads, he spoke up. “Ms.

Haywood, you can drop me off here.”

Bielle pulled over and advised him, “The company will negotiate with production crews soon. Your new agent will handle it, so remember to keep fit and, now that you have a salary, get yourself some proper clothes. You’ll need to meet some directors soon.”

“Got it, thanks.”

Without further conversation, Brielle drove straight to Premier Palace. Her phone was beside her but had been off for a while.

Halfway there, her stomach pain became unbearable, and her vision blurred with hunger. She pulled over, clutching her abdomen tightly.

Once the cramping eased, she drove the rest of the way to Premier Palace. When she got out of the car, her fingers trembled, and a fine sweat broke out on her forehead. She felt. nauseous but couldn’t vomit because her stomach was empty.

She stood still for a moment, then slowly made her way inside. Premier Palace was quiet, the holiday decorations still up, except for the fairy lights that had been taken down.

Brielle chuckled, unlocking the door. Inside, the great hall was dark and silent.

Had Max gone to bed already?