Chapter 719


    Brielle arrived at the top floor of Dorsey International, and, as usual, Annie was the first person she ran


    into. However, Annie seemed to be in a sour mood today. She barely acknowledged Brielle’s greeting


    before resuming whatever she was busily tending to at her desk. With a lunchbox in hand, Brielle didn’t


    linger and entered Max’s office without knocking a privilege she had always enjoyed.


    As the door swung open and she caught sight of five or six executives withiri, her face instantly


    stiffened. Some were standing others sitting, but all quickly overted their gaze when Brielle entered.


    “The presentation is ready for you, boss, one of them said, noting the lunchtime interruption. “We’ll


    circle back after you’ve eaten.” The executives, avoiding any further eye contact, filed out one by one.


    Frozen at the doorway, Brielle felt the lunchbox burning in her grip.


    Max closed hisptop and raised an eyebrow at her lingering presence. With nervous energy, Brielle


    marched forward, her heart pounding like a drum solo as embarrassment washed over her. “Made you


    breakfast,” she said, attempting a casual tone


    Max wrapped an arm around her waist, leaning in for a kiss, but Brielle dodged his advance. “Aubree’s


    waiting for me downstairs.”


    She dreaded the teasing she’d endure from Aubree if she showed up looking too…glowing.


    Max sighed and withdrew his arm. At his gesture of disappointment, Brielle’s heart twinged with


    reluctance. “Tll be back at Premier Pce tonight.”


    Hearing this, Max’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His gaze raked over her, and his voice roughened. “I’ll make


    it home early, too.”


    Her cheeks flushed with understanding. They’d both been so busy tangled in–mimunications, and


    now was their chance to


    reconnect


    The usually solemn office seemed to bloom with romantic bubbles at her arrival, but with the executives


    due to return, Brielle didn’t dare stay long.


    “I should go.” she said, turning to leave, but Max called out, “Brielle.”


    She looked back to see him touch his lips – the message clear


    Amused, Brielle wrapped her arms around his neck and nted a quick kiss on his lips. The moment,


    however, quickly escted, and their kiss deepened.


    “I wanted to discuss the project further, I think… The door burst open, revealing one of the previously


    departed executives, who, upon realizing the situation, mped the door shut again. “Sorry for the


    interruption.”


    Brielle’s face zed with embarrassment, frustration boiling over. She wished she could disappear


    from the. ming herself for sumbing to temptation, she stormed out, avoiding any eye


    contact as she headed straight for the private elevator, jabbing the button more than necessary.


    Still feeling overheated, she found Aubree’s eyes on her as she slid into the car. “Your lipstick is


    smeared.”


    Wishing for a crevice to swallow her whole, Brielle touched her lips, realizing the light color had bled


    beyond their edges. Aubree, with a smirk, handed her a tissue. “Mr. Dorsey must get a kick out of


    seeing you all flustered like that. What a perv.”


    ? ? ? ? ??


    Brielle wiped her mouth clean, avoiding a response, and drove them to Ster Stage Entertainment in


    silence.


    Today’s shoot was s still at Ster Stage, and Aubree’s scenes were up soon. They parted ways in the


    parking lot–Brielle to her office, Aubree to the set.


    Walking through the hallway, Brielle greeted young artists from Ster Stage, all beaming and shyly


    calling out, “Ms. Haywood.”


    “Ms. Haywood, you’re even more stunning in person.”


    “Ms. Haywood, I’ve been dying to meet you.”


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    Brielle responded politely until she reached her office, where she found Dustin already waiting, his


    presence a surprise. “Mr. Lynch?” Dustin’s eyes were lined with evident fatigue. Seeing her arrive, he


    massaged his temples. “BrL was everything okayst night?” She didn’t mind Dustin’s impromptu visit


    or that he was in her office. To her, he was always one to follow his whims


    She asked Donny to bring in some tea.


    “Still troubled about your sister’s situation, Mr. Lynch?”


    His expression darkened. “We checked out Mark. His background is clean. His wife’s whereabouts,


    though, remain a mystery. No trace of her. And with the Sunflower Children’s Home records destroyed,


    it’s impossible to track all the kids adopted over the years.”


    Dustin stood, ceding the main chair to her and settling onto the couch with a heavy sigh like he was


    confiding in a close friend. “My grandmother doesn’t have much time left. The doctors issued another


    critical notice.”