Chapter 304


    “There’s a coffee station down the hall. I’ll have someone brew a fresh pot and bring it over. Please,


    have a seat.”


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    Catherine had thought that after the words she’d exchanged with Patrick, at the very least, he’d owe


    her some sort of exnation out of sheer professional courtesy on ount of Kingston Enterprises.


    But Patrick had artfully dodged the issue, and he did so by bringing up such a mundane matter. If she


    were to press on, she’d seem uncouth.


    “No trouble, Patrick. I can grab a cup myself,” she replied, her tone veiling her irritation.


    She turned to head towards the coffee station but stopped in her tracks when she saw the elevator


    doors slide open, and Brielle step out, leaning heavily on her crutch.


    Didn’t Brielle just leave to catch a cab? Why the sudden return? The sight knotted Catherine’s brow


    further. Encountering Brielle again felt like a bad omen.


    By chance, the room where the contract was to be signed, and Brielle’s office was on the same floor.


    Brielle hadn’t expected to see Catherine there, and seeing her now twisted Brielle’s features in


    displeasure.


    Brielle had only returned because a colleague had called her about some crucial documents in her


    office. She had the keys and needed to pass them documents on to someone in her department.


    Pretending not to notice Catherine, Brielle aimed for her office door. Catherine, however, was not about


    to let her slip away unnoticed. “Well, if it isn’t Ms. Haywood,” she called out


    mockingly.


    Brielle, irked but masking it with a smile, responded, “Surely you haven’t forgotten our run–in just


    moments ago?”


    Catherine’s face stiffened, and her earlier resolve to heed Bradley’s advice was forgotten. She wanted


    to close the distance between her and Brielle but hesitated. She remembered the crutch in Brielle’s


    hand and did not want to be humiliated like before. So she held back.


    “Ms. Haywood, we’re here to sign a contract with Dorsey International. By all ounts, we’re guests of


    yourpany. Shouldn’t you, as a representative of Dorsey International, fetch me a coffee?”


    Catherine stated, looking expectantly at Patrick. “Don’t you agree, Patrick?”


    Patrick grimaced. He wouldn’t dare ask Brielle to pour coffee. Rushing to smooth things over. he


    offered, “Ms. Haywood isn’t in the position to do so, but if you need it, I’ll get it for you.”


    Catherine felt out of her depth. Although Patrick seemed merely an assistant, his longstanding rapport


    with Max suggested otherwise. Many of Max’s decisions passed through Patrick influence not unlike


    that of a royal confidant. Who would dare cross him?


    As Catherine stewed in her indignation, a cold, detached voice cut through the tension. “The executive


    meeting is about tomence.”


    an


    Chapter 304


    Patrick froze, turning to see Max standing in the exclusive elevator, hand on the open button. and his


    gaze icy as it swept the scene.


    Patrick instinctively looked to Brielle, who stood rooted to the spot, eyes locked on Max.


    Max’s gaze brushed over Brielle without a pause, as if nothing could stir the depths of his eyes, cold


    and fathomless.


    Brielle recalled a time when she and Spencer had crossed paths with Max. She recognized that same


    impassive scrutiny.


    With the elevator doors about to close, Brielle hurriedly handed the keys to Patrick. “Please, pass these


    on for me.”


    Before Patrick could respond, Brielle made her way to the exclusive elevator. It was a struggle with her


    crutch, but she attempted to step inside. The doors were nearly shut when she reached out, and her


    fingers fell short.


    Then, from within, a long, slender hand reached out, halting the closing doors.


    Max stood there, his presence chilling the air around them.