Chapter 486


    Alivia arched an eyebrow, at first thinking she must have seen wrong. Brielle was here?


    But of what use was her arrival? Max had long since forgotten her. Brielle’s courageous venture here


    was nothing short of a self–inflicted humiliation.


    A smirk yed at the corners of Alivia’s lips as she feigned ignorance. “I’m sorry, who are you?”


    Given the recent media frenzy involving Dorsey International, everyone in the room knew Brielle. They


    had all heard something about it. But why was Brielle showing up at this critical juncture? And what did


    that statement mean? Those in the dark wore puzzled looks in their


    eyes.


    Max held a teacup in his hand, his gaze drifting past the crowd to settle on her. She stood alone, but


    her presence rivaled anyone in the room. With a slight smile on his lips, Max’s fingertips grazed the rim


    of his cup, silently sanding it, wordless.


    Alivia, on the other hand, almostughed out loud. How foolish was Brielle to show up now?


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    The Dorsey and Rond ns upied the room, Max had lost his memory, and not a soul was on


    Brielle’s side. Yet here she was, marching in alone, the epitome of foolishness, just like the expendable


    girl from moments before. It seemed Alivia wouldn’t need to employ any more schemes; Brielle was


    about to be thoroughly ousted today.


    “I remember now, I’ve seen you at Dorsey International. You’re Ms. Haywood, right? But hasn’t Max


    already let you go? If you disagree with that decision, you might consider filing abor dispute. There’s


    really no need to show up here now.”


    Brielle lifted her gaze, fixing Alivia with an unflinching stare. “Ms. Alivia, my presence here has nothing


    to do with whether or not I’m a director at Dorsey International. I’m here strictly on a personal matter.


    Otherwise, my boyfriend might end up engaged to someone else.”


    The mirth in Alivia’s eyes deepened, her disdain internal. Boyfriend? Was that what Brielle told herself?


    Sadly, Max had never seen her as a girlfriend, merely a fling to stave off loneliness, never a public


    affair. And here she was, shamelessly asserting they were an item. Howughable.


    So eager, so lowly.


    Alivia’s lips twisted into a knowing smile. She was well aware of who Brielle was referring to, yet her


    gaze deliberately sought out Spencer.


    “Spencer, is this your girlfriend?”


    Alivia and Spencer had already conspired about tonight’s events, ostensibly for the Dorsey and


    Rond families but truly for her and Max. Their engagement was to be settled this evening, yet


    neither had anticipated Brielle’s brazen arrival.


    In their eyes, Brielle was no different from an ant. An ant daring to show up uninvited was


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    truly a death wish. It was a wonder who had given her the courage.


    Spencer quickly stood. “Brielle, are you here for me?”


    Before she could reply, he turned to Michael. ‘Grandpa, I’m sorry. I should have handled this better.”


    With Spencer’s admission and Brielle’s earlier deration, the crowd was convinced she was there for


    Spencer. At that moment, Spencer even stood and approached Brielle. “Bri, let’s not make a scene. We


    can talk about this in private.”


    Spencer truly believed Brielle hade for him, especially since he had just asked her if she would


    marry him that morning. Now that Brielle had shown up so eagerly, wasn’t it clear she was considering


    their rtionship?


    Spencer was ecstatic, thinking Brielle had finallye around. Max was bound to leave her sooner or


    later–perhaps even tonight, as his engagement to Alivia was confirmed. Brielle was destined to be cast


    aside. Seeking refuge in his arms was her best choice.


    His gaze softened. Brielle hade all this way just to stop his engagement to Sophia. It seemed he’d


    have to treat her better from now on. He even swore in his heart never to let her down again, to cut ties


    with other women and build a proper life with her.


    He reached out to take her hand, but Brielle walked right past him, heading straight for Max. “My


    boyfriend is Max.


    Her tone was calm,posed, and resounding. She didn’t look at anyone else. The mockery and


    disdain of others couldn’t stir the waters of her resolve. She was here for Max, and only his opinion


    mattered.


    Brielle’s affection was always simple and pure. Even if barriers of time and distance, storms and


    mountains stood between them, she would fight for what she wanted. She was confident enough to


    ovee any obstacle. But if he didn’t return her feelings, she probably wouldn’t even have the


    strength to take a step.


    If she didn’t speak up tonight, she would lose her chance with Max forever. She had to try, to avoid a


    lifetime of regret.


    “Have you lost your mind?”


    Spencer stood behind her, utterly baffled, as Brielle walked past him without hesitation to approach


    another. He was stunned.