Chapter 499


    He still remembered the jolt of fear that had struck him then, so intense it made him spit blood in a fit of


    fury. Someone had dared to harm the child she carried within Brielle, the woman he adored and


    couldn’t bear to see hurt. Max even wanted to make everyone involved pay a steep price, no matter


    who they were.


    But luckily, Brielle wasn’t pregnant.


    If Alivia were here, she would be astounded to know that Max had overheard her and Sydney’s


    conversation that day. He had pretended not to, but every move she had made since then had be


    a joke to him.


    Max frowned slightly, unwilling to dwell on that moment any longer. On one hand, he was shocked by


    Alivia’s true nature; on the other, the thought of Brielle being pregnant had shaken him to the core. And


    he had been kept in the dark, clueless.


    Overwhelmed by anger, he could feel the taste of iron rising from his chest. Even now, his heart ached


    as if pricked by needles.


    “If we ever have a child, let’s have it. Don’t worry too much,” he said, his voice low and reassuring. He


    could sweep away all of her worries.


    Brielle looked up at him, slowly wrapping her arms around his waist. “Okay.”


    Max breathed a sigh of relief, saw her expression soften, and his lips curved into a smile.


    *Kenzo invited me to a wee–home party for Jaired tomorrow night. Would youe with me?” he


    asked.


    Brielle did want to go. At this point, if he suggested they elope, she’d nod without hesitation. But they


    had just humiliated the Barnes family the night before, and Kenzo had been there. Could he really let it


    slide?


    “About Kenzo…”


    *Kenzo invited us, which means he’se around. Besides, the guest of honor is Jaired. Kenzo is just


    organizing it, and Jaired is a Riddle. The Riddles have always held office. I’ve known Jaired since we


    were kids. It’s rare for him to be back in town.”


    Relieved, Brielle rxed. They had been on edge these past few days, and a chance to unwind was


    wee. The child matter turned out to be a misunderstanding, and Brielle felt a sense of relief.


    Max kissed her on the lips and said, “I’ll let Kenzo know that you’ll attend in my girlfriend’s name.”


    Previously, Kenzo had gone to great lengths to screen people, looking for individuals who were tight–


    lipped. But this time, there was no need for that. Even if others wanted to report orin, what


    difference would it make?


    1/2


    13-50-


    Chapter 499


    The biggest bombshell had already been dropped. As long as they didn’t have a child, Michael could


    only choose to turn a blind eye before that happened.


    Max’s words echoed in Brielle’s mind, more enchanting than any sweet nothings in the world.


    In society, the criteria for selecting a partner have always revolved around three dimensions: physical


    attractiveness, personality, and control over social resources. It is often said that individuals who score


    high in all three aspects are scarcemodities at any given time. But someone like Max, who not


    only maxed out each aspect but even exceeded them, what kind of existence was he? Just the thought


    of having such a person as her boyfriend made Brielle’s smile almost uncontroble.


    As they settled into the car, Max nced outside. “Alivia, she-”


    Before he could finish, Brielle’s phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. She braced herself, expecting


    it might be Michael. But when she answered, Alivia’s voice came through.


    “Brielle.”


    Gone was the mockery from the night before. Now, Alivia sounded perfectlyposed. I’ve arranged


    for afternoon tea with somedies from our circle. Would you care to join us?”


    Brielle frowned, almost suspecting she was hearing things.


    What was Alivia up to? Unclear of her intentions, Brielle held her ground.


    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Meanwhile, Alivia sat amidst the Beaconsfield socialites, each one keen to see Alivia’s downfall after


    the previous night’s events. But to their bewilderment, Alivia had just invited the other protagonist of the


    incident, Brielle, to tea. They had expected to see a disheveled Alivia, yet she looked poised and as


    regal as ever. She greeted them with her usual gentle demeanor.


    Thedies didn’t dare provoke her. Regardless of the rumors, Alivia’s position as the youngest head of


    the research institute meant that those who wanted to curry favor with her could fill Beaconsfield


    several times over.


    They sat in silence, exchanging nces, curious about what would unfold between Alivia and Brielle.