Chapter 522


    Aubree sensed Brielle’s distraction and knew she had been browsing the news. She silently cursed


    herself for being a bbermouth; before this call, Brielle was likely oblivious to the online buzz.


    “Bri, don’t tell me you’re taking those trolls seriously? What do they know? They’re just pping their


    gums. Forget about them. Christmas is just around the corner. How about we go out and do some


    holiday shopping to clear your mind?”


    Christmas was only two days away.


    Brielle was already downcast from having witnessed Max’s injury, and the online news only fueled her


    anger. The masterminds behind this could only be Tessa or Alivia.


    Tessa and Alivia had been echoing each other at the hotelst night, clearly in cahoots. But Alivia was


    always poking at Tessa’s tender spots, obviously using her as a pawn. With a personality like Tessa’s,


    her arrogance was nothing more than a veil for fear–fear of not measuring up, which drove her to trample


    over others. Alivia knew this all too well, making it easy to stir Tessa’s hatred. This was most likely


    Tessa’s doing, as Alivia excelled at sitting back and enjoying the show.


    Brielle was growing weary of these amateurish schemes. She had a n in mind but needed to


    exchange a few more words with Aubree first. “Nah, Aubree, are you spending Christmas with the


    Clements family?”


    At the mention of the Clements family, Aubree’s mood visibly darkened, and there was a long silence


    before she spoke. “It’s likely I won’t be going back. They’d probably prefer I stay as far away from


    Beaconsfield and Andrew as possible. If I showed up for Christmas, the Clements household would turn


    into a madhouse. Honestly, I’ve never really had a home; I’ve never felt


    warmth there.”


    Having known she was adopted from a young age, she’d endured the scorn of the house staff, who took


    every chance to humiliate her when the Clements were away.


    A child who grew up in the shadow of shame, clung to Andrew for the only warmth she knew. Even


    though Andrew had be aplete jerk, leaving her battered and bruised, he had once been her


    solefort during her most vulnerable days.


    She couldn’t let go of Andrew because she had never truly escaped those days of humiliation. No matter


    how tough she acted, she could feel the clothes still clinging to her. She needed Andrew; without him,


    she might not survive.


    Neither of them spoke again, and it was unclear who hung up first.


    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Brielle’s mood had soured further, especially with the Rond family’s timing. She grabbed her phone


    and called Mason. “Has the Rond family been up to anything abroad?”


    Mason stiffened at the question. “Are you talking about the Ronds in Beaconsfield? They’ve been


    scouting locations to build a medical facility. Coincidentally, we’re eyeing the same spot.


    1/2


    15:26


    Chapter 522


    With thepany going public, we can’t stay cramped in our old space. We need a grand office building.


    The first round of funding showered us with billions. We can’t let that go to waste.”


    Brielle chuckled, a yful smile on her lips. “Why would a tech firm like ours be interested in the same


    plot as a healthcare provider? Is there something special about thatnd?”


    Mason, impressed by Brielle’s insight, responded, “Indeed, the local government ns to boost the


    economy over the next five years. Buying thatnd now could mean a hundredfold increase in value.


    Where else could you find such an investment? Plus, I’ve heard through the grapevine that the


    government ns to develop luxury homes nearby. If the Ronds establish their medical center there,


    not only will thend appreciate, but they’ll also corner the market on affluent clients.”


    Brielle mused over the situation. “Mason, let’s not rush topete with the Ronds just yet. I’ll inquire


    with some insiders. Foreign governments can be tricky and are always looking to squeeze money out of


    investors. Our intel might not be solid.”


    “Brielle, you’re bing more intriguing by the day. This is an international matter, and who could you


    possibly ask? And how can you be sure your information will be urate? Every investor has their eyes


    on that piece of meat.”


    A name shed in Brielle’s mind: Dustin Lynch.