Chapter 600

Brielle was up at the crack of dawn and joined Aubree on their way to Stellar Stage Entertainment.

They had both taken a dip in the river last night, so today, Brielle bundled up in thick layers. Aubree, forever the fashionista, braved the chill in her usual stylish but scant attire.

Worried about her catching a cold, Brielle couldn’t help but say, “I’ve got a spare jacket in my office. I heard it’s going to drop even more come afternoon. Swing by and grab it if you’re cold.” Aubree sneezed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m fine.”

Her gaze caught the sight of a familiar car, and she arched an eyebrow. “Doesn’t Mr. Dorsey have work? Up and about at Stellar Stage Entertainment to ambush someone this early?”

Brielle chuckled, knowing Aubree was just teasing her. After exchanging pleasantries, she made her way to the car.

Before she could speak, she was pulled into a cool embrace. Brielle found herself in the arms of someone who bore the telltale signs of a sleepless night, no doubt due to work. She wondered why he was here waiting for her.

“There’s been a hiccup with the overseas acquisition, so I’ll be temporarily living at the office. You should head home more often. I don’t like you being out.”

His tone was detached, and his lips grazed her neck with feather–light kisses.

Brielle couldn’t help but tilt her head back, amused. Was he really here just to give her this warning?

She knew he likely hadn’t returned to Premier Palace to rest last night and felt a pang of sympathy.

Before she could respond, a cool object was pressed into her hand. She looked down to see a custom–

made, silver handgun – lightweight and sleek, a perfect fit for her grip.

“I had Jaired tailor this for you. Keep it with you.”

Surprise flickered in her eyes.

“I’ll cover for you, always. Just promise me, no matter what, your life comes first.”

She nodded, a mix of fondness and concern in her eyes. “Thank Jaired for me.”

Cool detachment flickered through Max’s gaze as his fingers played with her earlobe. “It’s the least he could do.”

The gift was special, and her smile shone brightly, yet the unfinished scarf at home weighed on her conscience. She resolved to finish it tonight back at Premier Palace.

She noticed the shadows beneath his eyes and kissed him gently on the lips. “Even if you have to sleep at the office, remember to rest. I’ll make sure Patrick keeps an eye on you.”

As Max’s frosty aura thawed, he chuckled, “After this is over, let’s go skiing.”

She agreed, and, conscious of the conspicuous nature of his car, kept their conversation brief.

As they parted, she kissed him again. “Thank you, Mr. Dorsey, for the early morning visit and the gift.

It’s something I truly appreciate.”

Her tease made his Adam’s apple bob and his voice sounded husky, “When I’m done, could you take a few days off too?”

The idea made her think of the previous night’s ordeal, wondering if she could even get out of bed after such a break. However, seeing the hope in his eyes, she couldn’t bear to refuse.

“Sure.”

As the car pulled away, Brielle’s heart felt warm, dispelling the lingering chill from last night’s accident.

Though Max hadn’t said it, she knew he had come to see her, using the gift as a pretext. He wasn’t one for declarations of affection.

It seemed he was going to be genuinely busy if he was seizing even these brief moments.

Max’s phone rang soon after he left; it was the clinic reporting that Martha had detected something amiss with her food and had started a hunger strike.

Max’s expression hardened, a storm brewing in his gaze. “Replace everyone at the clinic,” he commanded Patrick, his voice icy. It’d been less than a day, and his mother had already gotten the news. Someone must have blabbed.

Patrick nodded, executing the order immediately. Through the rearview mirror, he could see Max’s irritation and cautiously inquired, “What about Ms. Martha?” If she insistes on this hunger strike, she wouldn’t last three days before her health collapsed.

“I’ll order the doctors to take necessary measures.” Max sat in a silence as deep as the night, his eyes darkening.

Patrick gripped the steering wheel tighter, wondering if Brielle truly was the one who could stand by Max for a lifetime. Love that battled against everything–how long could it last? Even a saint would grow weary, wouldn’t they?