Chapter 498


    Alivia had a poker face that could fool the best of them.


    If she were to make a list of people Alivia despised, Brielle would take the top spot without contest. Yet,


    the man Alivia couldn’t have was warming the bed of her most hated rival. Instead of crumbling, Alivia


    managed to keep herposure and even made a dignified appearance. When people like her


    snapped, it was a sight to behold.


    Brielle lowered her gaze, tucking her phone away. She noticed the streets bustling with activity and


    leaned in closer to Max. “Hey, Max, is it a holiday or something?”


    Max nced up from the papers in his hands, amused at her face almost pressed against the ss.


    “Yeah, in three days, it’s New Year’s.”


    Their first New Year’s together was always going to be special.


    A small smile curled at the corner of Brielle’s lips, but she remained silent. When the car pulled up in


    front of a suburban mansion, Brielle looked puzzled. Where was this?


    Several people stood at the entrance, one of them being the uniformed man who had guarded her in


    jail. “Boss.” The man called out, his eyesnding on Brielle as he nodded in greeting.


    Brielle picked up on the informal title. It wasn’t Mr. Dorsey or the CEO, indicating a different power


    dynamic at y with Max.


    She followed him into the foyer, where two people were on their knees. They were the doctors from the


    clinic that had operated on her.


    Blindfolded and trembling, the doctors prostrated themselves upon hearing footsteps. “Mr. Dorsey, we


    were sorry. We truly realize our mistake.”


    Brielle said nothing, her grip on Max’s sleeve tightening, her face paling.


    Max knew. He knew about the baby. She lowered her eyes, feeling as though a de was twisting in


    her heart.


    The uniformed man offered Brielle a chair, his voice gentle. “Ms. Brielle, please sit.


    After being up all night and suddenly confronted by these doctors, Brielle was indeed not in the best


    shape. She slowly sat down. The uniformed man’s voice was so soft that only Brielle could


    hear him.


    The doctors were ignorant of the reason they were there, but they knew it was because of Brielle.


    “Mr. Dorsey, we’ll tell you everything. Please spare us.”


    They hadmitted too many misdeeds over the years, knowing retribution woulde, yet they


    hadn’t expected it so soon.


    Max stood quietly for a moment, then ruffled Brielle’s hair in aforting gesture, but his


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    Chacher 498


    words were directed at the doctors. “Repeat what you know.”


    The doctors shivered, spilling the beans almost immediately. “Ms. Alivia and Mr. Spencer brought Ms.


    Brielle to our clinic, thinking she was pregnant, and Ms. Brielle believed it too. However, after


    examining her, we found she wasn’t pregnant. Mr. Spencer suggested an appendectomy instead, and


    Ms. Alivia came up with a n to make Ms. Brielle believe she had lost a child. They thought it would


    hurt her and possibly affect her rtionship with you, Mr. Dorsey.”


    The doctors omitted the part where Alivia pinned everything on Martha, more out of ignorance about


    Martha than intent to deceive.


    As for Brielle, she was thunderstruck. Was she not pregnant? She couldn’t believe her ears, thinking


    she was hallucinating.


    Her mind was nk, her fists clenched so tightly that marks were left on her palms. Had there never


    been a child at all? The revtion was too staggering, and she couldn’te to terms with it


    immediately.


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    The doctors, shaking, continued. “Ms. Brielle was heartbroken when she woke up. She barely ate over


    four days, surviving on glucose. Sometimes, I wavered, wondering whether to tell her the truth. But


    after years at the clinic, knowing so many secrets, we didn’t dare. Mr. Dorsey, we are really sorry. Next


    time, if there’s surgery for Ms. Brielle, we will personally call you.”


    Max gestured to the uniformed man, who understood and led the doctors out.


    Brielle sat stiffly in her chair, even as hands gently lifted her face. Max looked into her eyes, his voice


    calm. “You weren’t pregnant, so no need to be sad about it anymore.”


    Brielle’s eyes widened, torn between tears andughter. She had nearly cried herself dry over those


    few days for a child that had never existed, only to be told it was all a ruse.


    Blinking back the sting in her eyes, she should have felt relieved, but a smile eluded her. So, had he


    been investigating these past few days? How did hee to suspect anything?


    Max seemed to anticipate her question and simply said, “I overheard Alivia talking to your assistant.