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 Acquisitions division straight out of Beaconsfield College, stirri discontent among

modest backgrou everyone suspected nepotism or worse, that she traded her body to get ahead. To self-proclaimed elite, she was no different

develop an inflated sense of self due

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

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 130 million with you,

mark.”

13

16.04

poring over annual reports and other investment banks’ research. She had even checked multiple simulation models; 130 million was the sweet

dialed Integral Elements Inc., but instead of the president, his assistant

your bid. It seems

asking price is a departure from our previous discussions, and I’d like to discuss this in person with

Mr. Tanner is very busy,”

no doubt. Tanner

Lucinda, “Book the next flight out. You’re coming with me to Integral

she picked, especially the two male colleagues, were none too pleased to be bossed around by a woman they considered to

or seeking help in a damsel-in-distress

was the point of a woman being so assertive, they thought,

Spencer currently absent, she was

public, was nestled in a neighboring town, providing over 3,000 jobs to the local

with the bid

and her team boarded the plane, Max

office, he opened his laptop as Patrick brought him a cup of coffee,

setting down his coffee to check his inbox. Aside from the email from the previous night, there was

message – just a question mark. As the international conference call started, there was still no word from her. Max turned his attention back to the screen, his