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.

had always been an outlier in the department, landing a manager pos Mergers and Acquisitions division straight out of Beaconsfield College, stirri discontent

backgrou everyone suspected nepotism or worse, that she traded her body to get ahead. To self-proclaimed elite, she was

an inflated sense of self due to the massive capital they handled, imagining themselves as titans

allure, had been unwelcome from day one. In the three years

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 130 million with you, but they’re now hoping to hit the

mark.”

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16.04

her homework 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

Inc., but instead of the president,

yet to receive your bid. It seems you’re not

tomorrow morning. However, your new asking price is a departure from our previous discussions, and

is very busy,”

no doubt. Tanner was

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

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

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

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

Spencer currently absent,

manufacturer waiting to go public, was nestled in a

bid proposal stalled by Spencer, she had no

boarded the plane, Max was wrapping up

him a cup of coffee, “Mr. Doesey,

setting down his coffee to check his inbox. Aside from the email from the previous

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