Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 9

The moment she stepped into the office, all eyes were drawn to her like magnets. They felt like sharp, judgmental knives, ready to peel away the facade she had so carefully

constructed

Whispers swirled around her

“Must be off to see Mr. Dorsey again. Some people have all the luck. Marrying into wealth sure has its perks”

“Marrying into wealth? Please, there’s not even a ring on her finger. Didn’t Mr. Spencer publicly deny any engagement?”

“Besides, word has it Mr. Spencer deliberately delayed the bid proposal because he’s got

issues with her.”

“But I heard that Brielle’s family is quite wealthy. Otherwise, how could she get engaged to Mr. Spencer? Don’t prestigious families emphasize matching social status?”

“Ha! Since when do rich people drive cars worth only tens of thousands? No chauffeur even. She just happened to be Mr. Spencer’s classmate, which is how she even got a foot in the door.”

“No wonder. Taking advantage of Mr. Spencer’s naiveté, she probably hoodwinked him into an engagement.”

After what Spencer had said yesterday, everyone was even more convinced of their

theories.

an outlier in the department, landing a manager pos Mergers and Acquisitions division straight out of Beaconsfield College,

to Spencer and her modest backgrou everyone suspected nepotism or worse, that she traded her body to get ahead. To

was notorious for its hierarchies, and those within it often develop an inflated sense of self due to the massive

In the three years she’d been there, Lucinda was the only

tone, “Several companies have sent their bids to Integral Elements Inc. The president

mark.”

13

16.04

on Integral Elements Inc., poring over annual reports and other investment banks’ research. She had even checked multiple simulation models; 130 million was the sweet spot. The sudden jump to 200 million was a clear indicator that other

but instead of

your bid. It seems you’re not serious

morning. However, your new asking price is a departure from our previous discussions, and I’d like to discuss this in person

Brielle, Mr. Tanner is very busy,” came the curt

doubt. Tanner was

up, signaling three of her team members, including Lucinda, “Book the next

especially the two male colleagues, were none too pleased to be bossed around by a woman they considered to be a backdoor hire. Graduates from prestigious

role, never showing weakness or seeking help in a damsel-in-distress manner, always maintaining a

so assertive, they thought, when

as the manager and Spencer currently absent, she was

components manufacturer waiting to go public, was nestled in a neighboring town, providing over 3,000 jobs to the

had been preparing for months with her team to acquire Integral Elements Inc. Now with the bid proposal stalled by Spencer, she had no

her team boarded the plane, Max was wrapping up a meeting

his office, he opened his laptop as Patrick brought him a cup of coffee, “Mr. Doesey,

inbox. Aside from the email from the previous night, there was nothing new from her. She must be upset,

the international conference call started, there was still no word from her.