Chapter 409


    Tiffanie had her reasons for being so wary of Alivia, especially since she’d seen firsthand how Alivia


    tormented any woman who showed interest in Max.


    Alivia was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and her path as the darling of high society was set


    from the moment she drew her first breath. She was nothing like Tessa. The Rond family hadn’t


    given Tessa much attention until recently, so she cherished her newfound influence all the more.


    As for Alivia, she believed the world revolved around her, and Max was tailor–made to fit into her orbit.


    Still, her brand of arrogance was unlike most; at least to elders and peers, she lived up to thebel


    “exceptional.”


    Had Tiffanie not witnessed Alivia, in a fit of spite, crush the hand of a young, promising pianist with her


    stiletto heel, she might have been fooled into thinking Alivia was mild–mannered.


    The pianist was touted as the next big thing, a veritable prodigy, but after that incident, her career was


    over, and she disappeared from the public eye. Everyone whispered about an ident, but Tiffanie


    knew it was sabotage.


    Alivia was cold–hearted and a master of disguise, and Brielle was no match for her.


    Despite Tiffanie’s warnings, it was toote. Alivia had already removed her rosary, a clear sign. she


    knew about the missing one from Max’s wrist. It was evident she’de back to square things up with


    Brielle.


    “Tiffanie, thank you,” Brielle said, her voice tinged with gratitude.


    The corners of Tiffanie’s mouth turned up in a small smile. “Don’t mention it. Just remember,All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I’ve always got your back.”


    Brielle’s thoughts drifted to Mason, and she couldn’t help but probe. “How are things between you and


    Mason?”


    There was


    a brief silence before Tiffanie let out a forcedugh. “You don’t seriously think we’re an item, do you?”


    Brielle frowned, puzzled by her response. Weren’t they together?


    “I admit, I’m drawn to his looks, but the idea of being tied down to one guy for life? Please, I’ll probably


    move on once the thrill fades. Dustin’s a catch, though I bet he’s out of my league.”


    Whether Tiffanie spoke the truth or jest, Brielle couldn’t tell Tiffanie was never one to hide her


    affections; her crushes were as tant as billboards. Now she spoke of nonmitment. leaving


    Brielle at a loss for words.


    Tiffanie could sense Brielle’s confusion and sighed. “I tried, you know. But I can’t do


    monogamy. I can’t learn to love in the way most people do. I need something more… universal. Not the


    ‘you’re the only one for me‘ kind of love.”


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    Chapter 409


    Universal love meant the ability to care for someone while equally capable of caring for others, just with


    a bit more passion for one person. But love, unlike friendship or family affection, was exclusive.


    Brielle couldn’t me her. In their circle, who had truly experienced love? None of them. The capacity


    to love was either innate or forever out of reach.


    Tiffanie was genuine, but her genuineness didn’t equate to faithfulness. In fact, it could be profoundly


    hurtful.


    Her rtionship with Mason was a “fauxmance.” filled with activities befitting a couple–dining out,


    watching movies–yet emotionally hollow from Tiffanie’s perspective. Her desire for a


    rtionship was a yearning for intimacy, but her verbal denials signaled a deep–seated fear of


    1. it.


    So, when she imed they weren’t dating, she found a bnce between longing and trepidation.


    But this was not love; it was an imitation of it–a superficial intimacy crafted by Tiffanie to stave off


    loneliness and shield herself from potential heartache.


    Realizing this, Brielle felt a wave of sadness and sympathy wash over her. After hanging up. she sat


    lost in thought until it was time to leave work. As she was about to head home, a text from Max buzzed


    on her phone. [My mother is returning stateside soon. I have to handle her discharge paperwork. Take


    care of yourself.]


    Brielle’s heart warmed as she replied with a simple acknowledgment. She thought that’d be the end of


    their exchange for now, but as she reached her car, another text from Max came in. [Keep your


    distance from Dustin.]


    A chuckle escaped her lips. She was curious about what Dustin had said to Max to provoke such


    caution. [Understood.] She sent her reply and approached the Dorsey Tower entrance.


    “Crash!”


    A potted nt, half a meter tall, shattered behind her, scattering soil and shards across the pavement.


    Had she been a moment slower, it would have concussed her.


    Her expression turned icy as she noticed William exiting the building, nked by executives. He


    greeted her with his usual warmth. “Seems like we’ve got a mighty wind here in Beaconsfield this


    month, Ms. Haywood. Are you alright?”


    “Is it the wind of Beaconsfield that’s strong, or is it your ambitions, Mr. William?”


    Brielle met his gaze with a defiant smile, unflinching in the face of danger.


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