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

or worse, that she traded her

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

day one. In the three years she’d been there, Lucinda was

companies have sent their bids to Integral Elements Inc. The president previously discussed

mark.”

13

16.04

had 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 was a clear indicator that other

instead of the

your bid. It seems

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

Brielle, Mr. Tanner is very busy,” came

excuse, no doubt. Tanner

her team members, including Lucinda, “Book the next

around by a woman they

role, never showing weakness or seeking help in a damsel-in-distress manner,

so assertive, they thought,

manager and Spencer currently absent, she was the

a small components manufacturer waiting to go public, was nestled in a neighboring town, providing over 3,000 jobs to the local

with the bid proposal stalled by Spencer, she had no choice but to fly out personally

plane, Max was wrapping up a meeting on his

he opened his laptop as Patrick brought him a cup

to check his inbox. Aside from the email from the previous night, there was nothing new from her. She must be

– just a question mark. As the international conference call