Chapter 623


    Wesley’s face lit up with a smile as he saw the relief in Max’s demeanor. The man had been run ragged


    these past few days, scarcely taking time to eat a proper meal If he kept going like that, Wesley feared


    an ulcer was on the horizon.


    Fortunately, Max was finally showing some appetite.


    When Wesley brought over the chicken soup, Max had already stowed away the hairdryer.


    He gently tapped Brielle’s cheek. “Weren’t you going to have some soup?”


    Brielle frowned, slowly opening her eyes to a drowsy world, and mumbled, “It’s for you; don’t forget to


    eat.”


    Max stiffened, a softness melting his irritation. He knew all too well that Aubree’s situation had be


    a knot in Brielle’s heart.


    So many people were trying to stand in their way, and her friend had been hurt because of it. Her heart


    wasn’t made of stone. Subconsciously, she wanted to distance herself from him.


    Max consoled himself–it didn’t matter, as long as she hadn’t thought about giving


    1. up.


    After finishing the soup and brushing his teeth, Max was about to settle into bed when he received a


    call from the sanatorium.


    Irritation flickered across his face as he stepped onto the balcony and epted the


    call.


    “Max, Ms. Martha is resisting fiercely. Unless we administer other medications, sedatives alone are


    insufficient, and they’re harming her health,” the voice on the


    other end said.


    Ever since Martha suspected her food had been tampered with, she had been in a constant state of


    agitation. Even the doctor’s stricter measures only brought temporary relief. Once the effects wore off,


    Martha would refuse food altogether.


    “Max, maybe you shoulde and talk to Ms. Martha in person. After all, you’re family.”


    Max’s expression softened with a touch of resignation. His hand was resting on Brielle’s head, giving it


    a gentle rub before sighing. “I’ll be there in an hour.”


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    Chapter 623


    The doctor seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “That’s good, Max. If this carries on, it’s tough for us too.”


    After all, Martha’s status was unique, and if something went seriously wrong, no one wanted to bear


    the responsibility.


    Max set the rm for an hourter, then climbed into bed, pulling Brielle close as he drifted off to sleep.


    By the time Brielle awoke, Max was gone. The hangover had her head pounding, and her stomach felt


    hollow. She nced around, realizing she was at Premier Pce and her clothes had been changed.


    After freshening up, she called Dustin, who was also nursing a hangover.


    Brielle surmised that Max must have brought her back.


    She checked the study but found no sign of Max, so she settled there herself. However, as she saw the


    media frenzy, her face darkened.


    The Clements and the Rond families were discussing a marriage alliance. The photos showed the


    two families meeting, smiling and joyful.


    Brielle found it ironic–Aubree was still in the hospital, and the Clements seemed to have forgotten her


    existence. They were even discussing Andrew’s marriage, and hadn’t considered bringing Aubree


    back.


    Brielle’s lips pressed tightly together as she watched a video of reporters interviewing Tessa, asking


    about the impending good news.


    Tessa beamed, her lips curving up at the corners. “Yes, Andrew and I grew up together. It was only a


    matter of time.”


    Tessa’s sweet smile at the mention of childhood sweethearts made Brielle want to smash the screen.


    She grabbed her car keys and headed straight for the hospital.


    Aubree was still admitted, and Brielle had previously instructed the hospital to block all external news


    and hide all information about Aubree’s stay.


    When she arrived, Aubree was staring out the window at the blue sky, white clouds, and distant


    skyscrapers.


    Brielle saw Aubree’s silhouette and felt a prickling heat behind her eyes. Her throat felt choked, and


    after steeling herself, she finally spoke. “Aubree, how about we go on a vacation? It’s the perfect


    season for skiing.”


    Aubree turned slowly, like an old machine being cranked to life. In just a day, she had


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    Chapter 623


    be more gaunt, her cheeks hollowed.


    Seeing her like this made Brielle’s heart ache.


    Aubree’s lips were cracked and bloodied–a stark contrast to her usual morous self, who would never


    allow herself to be caught looking less than perfect, even when drunk at home.


    “Bri, I’ve read John’s script, and filming is starting soon. He’s happy with me and Ricardo. We’re going


    to shoot in seclusion, right? I want to y this role. Please, let me do it?”


    She needed to leave something behind in this world. She didn’t want to reach life’s final moment, only


    to realize she had never truly lived.