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 among

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

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

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

to Integral Elements Inc. The president previously discussed a price of

mark.”

13

16.04

done 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 million

instead of the president,

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

However, your new asking price is a departure from our previous discussions,

Mr. Tanner is very busy,”

Tanner

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

ones she picked, 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 schools, they all

in a damsel-in-distress manner, always maintaining a cool demeanor that

being so assertive, they thought, when she

Spencer currently absent, she was the one

nestled in a neighboring town,

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

the plane, Max was wrapping

him a cup

setting down his coffee to check his inbox. Aside from the email from the previous night, there was nothing new from her.

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