Chapter 321


    Brielle tapped into the news feed. Her eyesnded on a photograph of Max and Alivia. There was


    Alivia, all smiles, beaming up at Max. Since he was shot from behind, his expression remained a


    mystery to the onlookers.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    But the vibe of the picture? It screamed ‘head over heels – a tale as old as time.


    A bitter taste seeped into Brielle’s smile as she exhaled a heavy sigh, and switched her phone into


    airne mode. She settled back, letting the evening sky captivate her attention. The heavens were


    painted with strokes of crimson, reflecting off the river in a dazzling dance of


    color.


    After taking a few sips of water and nibbling on some snacks, she pulled out her phone to capture the


    sunset’s beauty in a few snapshots, before continuing on her journey.


    Meanwhile, outside the gates of Pearl Estate, Aubree was nursing a cigarette between her fingers.


    She’d been buzzing the inte for minutes, but Brielle hadn’t answered.


    The news had reached herst night – a slip of the tongue from Andrew, a deliberate leak. Alivia


    couldn’t stand Brielle, so she asked Max to take her out on Brielle’s birthday as a twisted form of


    revenge.


    Aubree had pondered over the perfect birthday gift for Brielle days in advance, and even conspired with


    Andrew to secure a fine diamond from Infinity Brilliance.


    Hearing Andrew’s wordsst night had sent Aubree into a fury. What was Max ying at? The dislike


    was one thing, but toying with someone’s emotions was cruel.


    Brielle, ever somitted in matters of the heart, was ready to face any storm for love. Still, her


    sincerity seemed to be the punchline of a joke to others.


    When Aubree called Briellest night, she couldn’t bring herself to break the harsh truth. She hinted,


    but Brielle, lost in hopeful anticipation for her day with Max, missed the undertones.


    Aubree had harbored a sliver of hope herself – hope that Max wasn’t like Andrew, a cad who’d warm


    Tessa’s bed while courting her. But the news of Max picking up Alivia was out- scoundrels indeed


    flocked together.


    Aubree imagined Brielle nursing a broken heart somewhere, enduring a lonely birthday. The thought


    twisted her insides with difort.


    She dialed Andrew. His voice came through, drowsy and indifferent. “What’s up?”


    “You’re just like Max, a jerk.”


    Andrew was silent for a beat before his leg dropped off the coffee table. “Look, Aubree, what’s gotten


    into you? If you’re mad at Max, fine, but whysh out at me?”


    “You’re a bunch of scumbags.”


    “Weren’t you quite happy under one of those ‘scumbags‘st night?”


    He chuckled, squinting mischievously. “Are you done with your rant? Think about what your want for


    dinner.”


    “Check where Bri is for me. Her phone’s unreachable, and I’m worried.”


    “A grown woman gone missing? Please. And it’s not like this is some kind of a breakup. She knew what


    she was getting into with Max.”


    Andrew was used to Aubree’s verbalshings, and shrugged it off. At most, he’d ‘punish‘ herter in


    bed.


    “Aubree. Mom called today; she wants us over for dinner. Are youing?”


    Aubree was surprised, and hershes fluttered. “I’ll see. She doesn’t really want to see me. She’s just


    checking if I’ve got a boyfriend so I won’t be a bother to you.”


    The Clements had their suspicions. Their mother was more astute, and sensed something amiss


    between Aubree and Andrew. She probed now and then. Frustrated, Aubree had moved out.


    Her tone softened. “Just find out where Bri is.”


    “No.”


    That damn man!


    Aubree’s scalp tingled with anger. “If you don’t, I’ll go to Tessa and tell her we’ve been sleeping


    together for years.”


    The line went dead.


    After a minute, her phone buzzed with a message. [Brielle was spotted on her way to the Radiant Light


    Church.]