Chapter 649

Patrick furrowed his brow as he noticed the shift in the company’s staff–from their initial coldness to a growing acceptance of her, and now, to outright praise. It unsettled him.

Max’s phone rang shortly after. It was a call from his former mentor at Harvard, who mentioned the new secretary. She was the professor’s goddaughter, Annie.

Max had been well–looked after by the professor during his time at Harvard, so he didn’t decline the implied request. Max had thought Michael’s move to be a minor play, but it turned out to be a significant one–Annie was his professor’s goddaughter.

Rubbing his temples, Max recognized this as a hot potato he didn’t want to handle.

Annie knocked and entered, placing the documents on the desk. “Hello.”

There was a respectful tone in her voice, her gaze demure, “These are from my godfather. I just got back to the States this morning and have already met with Michael. I didn’t expect to be placed here, but it came up in conversation with my godfather.”

Her tone was casual, her every move exuding the essence of Brielle.

Max tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, not responding. Initially, he had intended to assign Annie some minor tasks to keep her away from his office. However, the professor requested that Max allow Annie to gain experience under him as she intended to teach at Harvard and take over his position.

She had completed her Master’s degree, and this was her first doctoral project–a test of her abilities.

Max pieced together Annie’s background between the lines of the professor’s words. She had been abandoned by her parents as a child, and was taken in by the professor. He had supported her education and living expenses all the way to university. He had not only adopted her as his daughter but had also made her his protégée.

Neither spoke for a moment.

“You don’t need to feel pressured,” Annie finally said. “My godfather sent me to learn from you and to complete my doctoral project. If it inconveniences you, I’ll let him know myself.”

“It won’t be a hassle. Your workstation is outside. If you have any questions, feel free to ask others.”

Max’s face remained expressionless, his demeanor cool and detached.

Annie paused, then nodded, “Thank you.” With that, she turned and left.

Patrick walked in just as she exited, their shoulders nearly brushing. The resemblance–her featurés, poise, and aura–were too similar to Ms. Brielle’s.

Shutting the office door behind him, Patrick approached Max, shuffling through some files, hesitating to speak. “Mr. Dorsey, do you think we should tell Ms. Brielle about this?”

Annie’s arrival was too coincidental. Michael’s directive, coupled with the personal entreaty from Max’s former Harvard mentor, meant that Max couldn’t simply send Annie away on some pretext.

“No need.” Max didn’t see the need to discuss such matters. There was only one Brielle.

Brielle had planned to visit Aubree today. She was passing by Dorsey International and hadn’t intended to go in, but a message from a former colleague caught her attention.

(One Sydney was replaced by another, even more high–profile Sydney–Ms. Haywood, when are you coming back?]

A higher–profile Sydney? Brielle’s brow creased, and then she received a photo from her colleague.

The woman in the photo was backlit, her face obscured. If Brielle didn’t know better, she’d think it was a candid shot of herself.

[She has already cozied up to the top brass, sharing laughs with Patrick. Apparently, she’s the goddaughter of Mr. Dorsey’s mentor from Harvard. Her tactics are something else. The execs can’t stop singing her praises.]

No woman liked to see someone who looked like her near her boyfriend.

Brielle felt her premonition had come true. Michael had indeed prepared a major play. It wasn’t an immediate assault on her relationship with Max but a more subtle approach. But if she reacted now, rushing to Dorsey International to investigate, she’d be conceding defeat without a fight.

Brielle guessed that Michael had deliberately placed this woman in Dorsey International, likely having already made arrangements with Alivia. After all, Alivia was the Dorsey family’s favored daughter–in–

law candidate. Michael had promised Alivia benefits before. and likely offered more this time to keep her happy.

Alivia had to do nothing now but sweetly accept Michael’s plans, curry favor with Martha, and watch as Brielle and Annie battled it out. If Brielle and Max’s relationship suffered because of Annie, Alivia would reap the benefits of their strife.

Brielle’s rational mind prevailed, but she couldn’t help feeling a surge of irritation.