Chapter 224


    The disdain in the room was almost palpable as eyes rolled and whispers grew louder. Brielle, unfazed,


    gracefully took her seat on the chair Mason had pulled out for her. “Ms. Tessa’s reputation isn’t any


    better than mine. Last I saw her, she was leaving a hotel with not one, but two gentlemen. Seems


    you’re quite the free spirit yourself.


    She spoke with a straight face, picked up her cup of water from the table for a sip, and casually offered


    Mason a cup as well.


    A hint of a smirk tugged at Mason’s lips. He’d seen Brielle’s live streams before; it was only by chance,


    but the fact that she could hold her own with Mr. Hartley was no small feat. When Brielle first struck up


    a conversation with him, he didn’t respond, even contemting feigning ignorance of her, but her


    persistence piqued his interest.


    Mason and Tessa were ssmates back in high school. Tessa was often absent due to her frail health.


    Yet, wherever she was, she seemed to be the center of attention. Everyone tiptoed around her, lest


    they be med if her health took a turn for the worse.


    Mason didn’t care for Tessa. Even though she hadn’t said a word and merely basked in the adoration


    and caution of those around her, the vibe she gave off was unsettling. Those who rallied behind her


    flourished; those who went against her met their doom. So even years after graduation, when they all


    gathered again, people still instinctively sought Tessa’s favor.


    But Brielle was different. At least, she was the first person bold enough to be so unrestrained in front of


    Tessa.


    Tessa’s’eyes bulged in disbelief. Her face turned pale with rage, her chest heaving, “What did you


    say?”


    Sophia, standing behind her, patted her back soothingly, “Tessa, don’t get worked up. Please yake your


    medication first.” She tenderly offered the medication, but Tessa pped it away. No one had ever


    seen Tessa this furious. Her paleplexion was now flushed as she red at Brielle.


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Sophia, pushed aside, took a step back, and in a spot hidden from the others, her lips curled into a


    subtle grin. She would love nothing more than for Brielle to push Tessa over the edge. today. The


    Rond family would never forgive Brielle, and neither would Andrew. Even if Andrew did have a fling


    with that wretch Aubree, he truly doted on Tessa. Brielle messing with Tessa was akin to courting


    death.


    Brielle raised an eyebrow, noting Tessa’s teeteringposure, and chuckled softly. “I’m merely giving


    back what’s been dished out to me, Ms. Tessa. You spread rumors about my private life in public, so


    why shouldn’t I return the favor? Surely, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”


    The others, unustomed to such a tantck of deference to Tessa, saw an opportunity to curry


    favor with her.


    14:22


    Chapter 224


    “How dare you, woman? Do you know who she is? She’s ady of the Rond family.”


    “Mason, next time you bring a friend, at least bring someone who fits in, alright? We can do without the


    embarrassment from the likes of her.”


    Mason pretended to be engrossed in his tea, “My apologies, I’m not really that close with Ms. Brielle.”


    He distanced himself cleanly. Brielle nced at him, not realizing until then the extent of Mason’s


    cunning.


    Hearing his words, the others couldn’t very well continue to berate Mason, so they redirected their fire


    at Brielle.


    “Apologize to Tessa! If she suffers because of you, can you bear the responsibility?”


    Tessa did look terribly unwell, as if she might faint at any moment. Normally, at such moments. those


    who had upset her would be thrown into a panic. Her illness sometimes served as her


    shield.


    Brielle just sat there, casually lifting her gaze to Tessa. “If I had a condition like Ms. Tessa’s, I’d stay


    home and take care of my body, rather than going to great lengths to show up at a gathering. Wouldn’t


    want to risk an incident, right, Ms. Tessa?”


    Tessa struggled to breathe, her nails digging into her palms, “You… you bitch.”


    As soon as she spat out the words, she slumped back into her chair, clutching her chest in


    agony.


    Sophia, who could have quickly taken out the medication, instead just stood by Tessa, holding her


    shoulder, “Tessa, don’t be upset, I’ll get you to the hospital.” Triumph shone in her eyes. knowing Brielle


    had stirred up trouble.


    Brielle frowned, seeing right through Sophia’s ploy. “Give her the medicine. What good does holding


    her do?”


    Sophia’s face froze, and with a pitiful look, she scanned the room. “The medicine is gone. That was the


    last of it.”