Chapter 119


    The other executives didn’t dare to make a peep in Max’s presence, knowing full well the weight of the


    shares he held in his iron grip. Cross him, and you’d be packing your bags faster than you could say


    “Pink slip.” Hadn’t Ryan been the perfect cautionary tale? If Max could cast aside his own flesh and


    blood without a second thought, the others stood no chance of mercy.


    William, savvy as ever, didn’t bother to defend Ryan, instead smoothly changing the subject. “Max. I


    hear your trip abroad is about courting thatpany. Book?”


    Brielle’s ears perked up instantly, curious as to how Max would respond.


    Max casually flipped through the documents on the table, his expression unaltered. “Hmm, it’s under


    consideration.”


    Patrick, standing beside him, almost reflexively nced at Brielle, then with a businesslike demeanor,


    fired up the projector. “Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention here. This is all the intel on


    Book. It’s a wildly popr app overseas, currently valued at a cool billion dors.”


    Word on the street about Book had already seeped out over thest few days, and the media, which


    didn’t dare spill much ink on Max, had a field day dissecting Alivia’s side of the story.


    Discovering that Alivia was a shareholder and that thepany’s CEO was a senior colleague from


    her research institute had the public thinking Max was ready to throw down a fortune for hisdy love.


    Thus, the executives in the meeting room, ever opportunistic, eagerly began to brown–nose.


    “The CEO of Book is impressively young, and the user base they’ve built in less than six months is


    remarkable. If this momentum continues, it’s going to be a staple on everyone’s smartphone.”


    “If they’re seeking funds, Dorsey International must be in the running.”


    “With a market cap of a billion dors, the investment figure will likely be in that ballpark. It’s a sure


    bet.”


    Even if it tanked, what did it matter if Max spent a few billion to woo a woman? His happiness was


    paramount, and no one could fathom the depths of his wealth.


    Besides, the rise of Book was nothing short of meteoric, almost impossible to duplicate. If Dorsey


    International could snag this project early on, the return could easily multiply tenfold, or even a


    hundredfold.


    The room buzzed with chatter, but Brielle sat quietly to the side, hershes lowered, absorbed in


    thought.


    Patrick, ignoring the hubbub, dutifully disyed Book’s details on therge screen. “Several venture


    capital firms are already in talks with Book. By early next month, after the CEO meets with Ms. Alivia


    again, we’ll need to lock down the investment amount. I’ll circte the details


    Chapter 119


    for everyone’s consideration. Until then, feel free to weigh in.”


    Brielle nced at the information on the screen, much of which she hadpiled. The founder of Book


    was indeed formidable, backed by a mentor who was a titan in the academic world and supported by a


    lady of Alivia’s standing. Its potential seemed limitless.


    Brielle’s gaze dropped as she noticed the room’s volume dip suddenly. Then silence fell, and she


    looked up to find Max’s gaze resting on her. Unsure of what had transpired, she stood, feeling


    awkward, “The founder is, indeed, remarkable.” With that half–hearted remark, she sat


    back down.


    The atmosphere grew subtly charged, and Brielle wondered if she’d misspoken.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    As the meeting dispersed, she hoped to slip out unnoticed with the crowd of executives, but then Max’s


    quiet tap–tap on the table halted her. “Stay behind.” The voice was very soft, and only she, walking at


    the back, could hear it.


    She lingered to close the door, then faced him. “Mr. Dorsey, I’vepiled the Book information


    thoroughly. Is there something unsatisfactory?”


    “Are you upset?”


    A pang hit Brielle’s chest, a sour twist. It was rare for him to notice the mood swings of her, but what


    right did she have to be upset? Wasn’t she just a little canary he kept?


    Max stood and as he passed her, he drew her gently into his embrace. “Come to my office.”


    It’s brief embrace, followed by a release. Like a bee sting straight to the heart.


    Brielle stood rooted, waiting until the room emptied before she collected herself. Did she like Max? She


    wasn’t sure, maybe it was just a woman’s instinctual response. She tried to suppress such instincts,


    knowing sometimes that wise surrender was better than blind persistence.