Chapter 158


    As for who the fall guy was, it was still too early to tell.


    The clock struck the hour for the meeting, and the executives settled into their seats one by one. The


    meeting was a smaller affair this time, taking ce in Max’s office.


    The HR Director and the Finance Director, having witnessed that episode in the office earlier. were


    quick to their feet when they saw Brielle walk in, oozing ttery from every pore. “Ms. Brielle, how are


    you.”


    They had long since picked up on the dynamic between these two and were eager to curry favor.


    Meanwhile, the other two in the office were taken aback by the deference shown to Brielle. They


    wanted to throw a snide remark or two, but with Max present, they bit their tongues.


    Brielle nodded without betraying any sign of surprise or difort and took a seat off to the side.


    The meeting was still about the investment in the Bookpany, and one eager beaver volunteered to


    personally go and win over the founder of Book.


    Brielle gave the man who stood up a few extra nces–his name was Noah, a director not yet thirty.


    Max’s approach to management was different from otherpanies. Take Hatfield Inc., for instance,


    where all shares were held within the family. But at Dorsey International, the Dorsey family didn’t hold


    all the shares.


    One of the biggest bones of contention Max had with the Dorsey family was bringing in non–family


    board members, which could inject fresh perspectives and ensure stable governance structures, but it


    also stepped on the toes of other family members‘ interests.


    Noah’s father had been one of those brought in back in the day, and now it was Noah’s turn. At twenty–


    eight, Noah had been with Dorsey International for five years.


    “Mr. Dorsey, I believe I can persuade the founder of Book,” he said, standing in his sleek ck suit.


    Brielle couldn’t shake the feeling that when Noah rose, he had shot a nce her way.


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    Max remained silent, his expression frosty.


    Brielle pondered for a moment before standing up herself, “Mr. Dorsey, Book is indeed a finepany,


    but I’d like to request a business trip abroad. I might bump into even more promising prospects.”


    The room fell silent after her words.


    Noah looked at Brielle with a sneer, “A better prospect than Book? Ms. Brielle, do you have any idea


    what you are talking about? A billion–dor valuation in half a year – do you think such


    people are just lying around on the street? Could you maybe engage your brain before


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    speaking?”


    Brielle was now certain of her intuition; Noah was hostile toward her.


    “Mr. Noah, the founder of Book isn’t going to change his mind overnight.”


    “Ms. Haywood, how do you know I can’t change his mind? Besides, we have Ms. Alivia on our side.”


    Brielle frowned. Alivia wasn’t a Dorsey International employee. Why would she be involved in their


    investments?


    She looked at Max, who was just sitting there impassively. Feeling somewhat frustrated but recalling


    his promise from earlier at her apartment, she made up her mind.


    Regardless, she was ready to go to the mat for Dorsey International, “Mr. Dorsey, after tomorrow night,


    I can head abroad. Ms. Alivia’s institute is well–known, but I’ve heard that her friend is not the only one


    from her ss starting a business. I have some ideas already. Just give me a little time to do some field


    research, and I’ll get back to you with a solid answer.”


    Noah opened his mouth to retort, but Max simply responded, “Hmm.” That was an assent.


    Noah’s face darkened, and he shot Brielle a nce before quickly looking away.


    Max looked up. “If you want to try and persuade the founder, you’re free to leave whenever.”


    A glint of satisfaction passed through Noah’s eyes, and he nodded, “Alright.”


    After the meeting, Brielle didn’t linger. She returned to her office downstairs. No sooner had she sat


    down than a call from an unfamiliar number came through.


    Without thinking. Brielle knew it was Lillian, probably calling to gloat about how much the Haywood


    family was fawning over her now. Brielle blocked the number without giving her the satisfaction.


    Lillian tried several different numbers, none of which Brielle answered, infuriating her to the point of


    nearly smashing her phone.


    The Haywood family had, overnight, redone Brielle’s old room to suit her and presented her with


    several luxury cars worth millions. Wardrobes and jewelry boxes were filled and sent to her.


    Though the Haywood family had always treated her well, their current efforts seemed to be aimed at


    spoiling her rotten.


    Compared to Brielle’s treatment, Brielle seemed worse off than a servant.


    Lillian was in high spirits, feeling utterly triumphant. Moreover, her own reputation had been restored.


    When dealing with Brielle’s paperwork years ago, she had been cunning enough to cover her bases,


    which now proved useful.


    Tomorrow night, the Haywood family would announce her engagement to Spencer, and in front of all


    their guests, they would acknowledge her identity. Just the thought of it made Lillian almost giddy with


    excitement.


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    While the Haywood family might not be as prestigious as some mysterious international dynasty, they


    were still a household name in Beaconsfield.


    As long as Brielle wasn’t thedy of that illustrious family, Lillian would have wonpletely.