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.

a manager pos Mergers and Acquisitions division straight

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

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

one. In the three years she’d been there, Lucinda was the only one she could really talk

internal phone with a casual tone, “Several companies have sent their bids to Integral Elements Inc. The president previously discussed a

mark.”

13

16.04

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

dialed Integral Elements Inc., but instead

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

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

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

Tanner was probably meeting with

three of her team members, including Lucinda, “Book the next flight out. You’re coming with me to Integral Elements

bossed around by a woman they considered to be a backdoor hire. Graduates from prestigious

weakness or seeking help in a damsel-in-distress manner,

being so assertive, they thought, when she was destined

Brielle as the manager and Spencer currently absent,

nestled in a

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

the plane, Max was wrapping up a

his laptop as Patrick brought him

coffee to check his inbox. Aside from the email from the

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