Chapter 650


    She felt the wound on her arm twinge again. It had been hastily bandaged, but the news she received


    first thing in the morning soured her mood. Still, she didn’t head into Dorsey International, opting


    instead to call Max.


    At that moment, Max was in the middle of a meeting, with Annie and Patrick standing just behind him.


    One was an assistant and the other a secretary. Both were there to keep a pulse on his schedule.


    When Brielle’s personalized ringtone sounded, the frost in Max’s brows softened, a hint of warmth


    flickering in his eyes. He gestured for a pause in the meeting and stepped out onto a small balcony with


    his phone in hand.


    The executives refrained from gossip, instead whispering among themselves about the current project.


    Annie nced curiously at Max’s retreating figure, unable to resist asking Patrick, “Who’s Max on the


    phone with?”


    Patrick’s expression remained unchanged, his response strictly professional, “It’s the Mr. Dorsey’s


    girlfriend.”


    He didn’t know whether Michael had given Annie any special assignments or if she was just that good


    at ying her role so far, she hadn’t slipped up


    “Max has a girlfriend now?” Surprise flickered in Annie’s eyes, followed by a light chuckle, “That


    exins it.”


    Max was only away for a few minutes. When he returned, his face was once again a mask of


    indifference, and he signaled for the executives to continue their reports.


    Annie saw Max reach for a document and moved forward respectfully to help him. Max had never


    interacted with Patrick in such a manner during a meeting, so he was taken aback when her hand


    brushed against his. Their hands met awkwardly as both reached for the same paper.


    Annie quickly withdrew her hand. “I apologize, Max. I was out of line.”


    If it had been any other woman, such close contact with Max would have surely elicited excitement. But


    Annie’s reaction was calm, an idental touch, nothing more.


    Annie and Brielle were too simr. Even the other executives at the table were momentarily taken


    aback. This new assistant bore an uncanny resemnce to Brielle.


    Max’s expression darkened, feeling as if the skin Annie touched was now tainted. In the silence, a


    disinfectant wipe was offered to him. Annie’s demeanor was still respectful. “I’ve heard you’re a bit of a


    germaphobe, Max. I’m sorry for that, and I’ll be more careful


    next time.”


    With her apology so inly stated, what could Max say In response? He frowned but didn’t take the


    wipe, instead allowing the executives to continue their report.


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    When he didn’t ept it, Annie tossed the disinfectant wipe into the nearby trash can and resumed her


    position behind him.


    After the meeting, Max retreated to his office and meticulously cleaned his hands with disinfectant


    wipes.


    Patrick watched from the side, feeling a bit queasy himself. But the truth was, Annie hadn’t done


    anything wrong, so there was no ground for reprimand. She was simply performing her secretarial


    duties with due diligence.


    As Max almost scrubbed his hand raw, Patrick cautiously interjected, “The project team is waiting for


    the afternoon files. They need your signature.”


    Max paused his cleaning and opened the nearby folder with a heavy brow. Once he finished reviewing


    the documents, the HR Director walked in to report on this quarter’s personnel movements. But as


    soon as he opened the door, the chill inside made him. shiver. With no choice but to enter, he braced


    himself and stepped in.


    The HR Director was among the first to know about Max and Brielle’s rtionship, often seizing


    opportunities to sing Brielle’s praises in front of Max. As someone skilled in interpersonal dealings, his


    insights were sharper than a sieve.


    He caught sight of the iris flower at theChapter 641 end of the scarf around Max’s neck and quickly


    offered a smile, asking, “Where did you get that scarf? My wife tasked me with buying her a scarf as a


    gift, but she hasn’t been pleased with any of my choices. Do you know if the women’s version of your


    scarf is also sold?”


    Patrick overheard from the side and thought to himself, “Clever as always, old fox!”


    Sure enough, the gloomy cloud on Max’s face broke, a smile shining through. “They don’t


    sell these in stores.”


    His voice was filled with tenderness. He had the scarf washed and cared for daily. With spring on the


    horizon, it seemed he would be wearing it for some time toe.


    “So someone made it for you? They must be quite the craftsperson.”


    With a subtle turn of phrase, the HR Director steered thepliment back to Brielle.