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.

been an outlier in the department, landing a manager pos Mergers

and her modest backgrou everyone suspected nepotism or worse, that she traded her

for its hierarchies, and those within it often develop an inflated sense of self

allure, had been unwelcome from day one. In the three years she’d been there, Lucinda was

handed her the department’s internal phone with a casual tone, “Several companies have sent their bids to Integral Elements Inc. The president previously discussed a price of

mark.”

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16.04

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 companies

instead

receive your bid.

However, your new asking price is a departure from our previous discussions, and I’d

Tanner is very busy,”

no doubt. Tanner was probably

her team members, including Lucinda, “Book the next flight out. You’re coming with me

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

in a damsel-in-distress manner, always maintaining a

so assertive, they thought, when she was

with Brielle as the manager and Spencer currently absent, she

manufacturer waiting to go public, was nestled in a neighboring town,

with her team to acquire Integral Elements Inc. Now with the bid proposal stalled by Spencer, she had no choice but to fly out personally to make her

boarded the plane, Max was wrapping up

his laptop as Patrick brought him a cup of coffee, “Mr.

to check his inbox. Aside from the email from the previous night,

the international conference call started, there was still no word from her. Max turned his attention back