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.

in the department, landing a manager pos Mergers and Acquisitions

the revelation of her engagement to Spencer and her modest backgrou everyone suspected nepotism or worse,

for its hierarchies, and those within it often develop an inflated sense of self due to the massive

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

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

mark.”

13

16.04

simulation models; 130 million was the sweet spot. The sudden jump to 200 million was a clear indicator that other companies were courting

instead of the president, his assistant

your

morning. However, your new asking price is a departure from our

Mr. Tanner is very busy,”

no doubt. Tanner was probably

including Lucinda, “Book the next flight out. You’re coming with

bossed around by a woman they considered to

help in a damsel-in-distress manner, always maintaining a cool demeanor that seemed to threaten their sense of male

woman being so assertive, they thought, when she was destined for

the manager and Spencer currently absent, she was

Inc., a small components manufacturer waiting to go public, was nestled in a

her team to acquire Integral Elements Inc. Now with the bid proposal stalled by Spencer, she

she and her team boarded the plane, Max was wrapping

laptop as Patrick brought him a cup of coffee,

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

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