Chapter 161


    Lillian’s face twisted with envy as she clutched the banister, her fingers tightening until her knuckles


    ached. Tonight, she was supposed to be the star of the show, all eyes should have been on her, but the


    couple at the entrance was simply too dazzling, their appearance making the grand hall seem all the


    brighter.


    “Mr. Dorsey,” someone called out respectfully, yet no one dared approach. Others followed suit with


    their greetings, anxious to be noticed.


    Max simply nodded in acknowledgment before lowering his gaze to speak with Brielle. A respectful


    distance formed around them, as if by unspoken agreement no one would encroach. The crowd was


    itching with curiosity, eager to see what would unfold next.


    Spencer, upon seeing them together, was instantly reminded of the previous day when he visited the


    apartment and happened to see them sharing an elevator down. He didn’t want to dwell on it, not even


    now, as he gripped his wine ss, his anxiety magnifying.


    The murmurs continued around him, though hushed.


    “Is that Brielle beside Mr. Dorsey?”


    “Isn’t Mr. Dorsey known for his aversion to germs? Howe he’s with that woman?”


    “Can’t deny it, Brielle’s got a face that turns heads.”


    Brielle, usually light on makeup, had applied just a touch this evening, yet she effortlessly


    overshadowed the other women in the room.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    The Haywoods looked sour. They had arranged for a graceful, soothing melody to y as Lillian


    descended the stairs, but she had barely reached the midpoint when Brielle stole the limelight. Was


    this deliberate?


    Miranda’s expression soured at the sight, and she noticed Lillian stalled mid–staircase, the music still


    ying, seemingly now a backdrop for the couple at the door.


    Unable to take it anymore, Lillian clumsily made her way down and approached Max.


    “Max, did you run into


    Bri on your way here? What a coincidence,” she said; her words carefully crafted to suggest they had


    met by chance outside, but this ruse hinged on Max ying along.


    Max didn’t even nce at her, continuing instead to ask Brielle, “Have you booked your flight for the


    business trip? Found thepany you were targeting?”


    Who would have thought they’d be discussing work at such a gathering? It was both odd and yet not,


    familiar yetced with subtlety.


    Brielle, pleased that Max ignored Lillian, allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. “I’ve got my eye on a


    company, but I’ll need to inspect their operations on–site. There’s a border between us, so I can’t be


    sure of their situation just yet.”


    Chapter 161


    The two chatted as if no one else was there, the atmosphere between them harmonious, causing those


    nearby to breathe a bit more softly.


    Lillian, gripping a ss of wine and tilting her chin up, felt her poised fa?ade slipping without a


    response from Max. She was flustered, feeling the heat of embarrassed nces.


    Max had dismissed her, and it stung. Wasn’t she attractive? Spencer and Cameron both fancied. her,


    and Spencer had chosen her over Brielle. Wasn’t that proof enough of her allure?


    The Haywoods were equally embarrassed by Lillian’s bold approach, and Miranda quickly intervened


    with diplomatic grace. “Max, thank you for attending the Haywood’s g tonight. And we appreciate the


    care that Bri has received at Dorsey International.”


    Miranda, with decades more experience than Lillian, spoke with more finesse.


    Max, with azy nce and an indifferent “Hmm,” left Miranda to retreat with Lillian to the sidelines.


    Lillian felt like she might explode, biting her lip till it bled. This was not how she had imagined her first


    interaction with Max. Yet, this rebuff only fueled her resolve. One day, she would be the only one in his


    eyes.


    As the guests witnessed both mother and daughter falter, none dared to make the same mistake.


    Brielle, meanwhile, took a sip from a wine ss passed to her by a waiter, her fingertips lightly tracing


    the rim. She had finished getting ready with Aubree’s help when she saw Max waiting outside. The


    gentle moonlight illuminated his calm, sharp features through the window.


    It was undeniable that she was moved by his presence. He actually went to attend the Haywood family


    event with her.


    Aubree had pushed her into Max’s car with a flurry of advice and good wishes before leaving.


    All the way to the g, Brielle had a myriad of questions she wanted to ask, but she held back, not


    wanting to presume. With downcast eyes, she let the quiet emotion swirl within.