Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 1356

"Emma, did you hear? Mr. Haywood's out today. His brother's stepping in for the meeting." Emma froze. Mr. Haywood's brother? Who?

Candice caught the surprise on her face and chuckled. "You really don't know? We've been at Stellar Stage Entertainment for a month now, just for the auditions, and you haven't figured out Mr. Haywood's real identity? The lost heiress of Infinity Brilliance and Mr. Lynch from Infinity Brilliance? They're siblings!"

Emma stiffened. This was news to her. Sure, she had heard about Brielle's dazzling moments at Stellar Stage Entertainment, but Brielle's background was new information.

She hadn't paid much attention to those details, too focused on her own path. After clinching first place at the auditions, she never missed her seven-hour daily livestreams, building a solid fanbase.

Candice, ever the gossip, leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But get this, I heard Mr. Lynch's list of ex-girlfriends reads like a who's who - from international celebs to top models, all pining over him on social media, hoping for a second chance. But it seems Mr. Lynch isn't one to rekindle old flames. And despite his long list of exes, not one has come forward to bad-mouth him. Can you believe it?"

Emma's lips twitched. Wasn't this just classic bad boy behavior? No matter how slick, it didn't change the fact.

Emma's world was simple, and hearing about Dustin's antics was a wake-up call. She realized why she had been so easily duped before - swayed by a few sweet nothings at just the right moment. Thinking back, she felt she had only herself to blame.

For too long, she had put up with nonsense, believing in fairy tales, ending up pregnant and alone. But no more.

Women needed to be more astute, especially now. Emma had heard stories of many strong, independent women choosing their own paths, even considering sperm banks abroad for the perfect donor.

Thinking about it, Emma's eyes sparkled with determination. Sure, snagging Dustin's child might seem low, but if his genes were anything to go by, her child was bound to be brilliant. She had walked a path many women tread, yet here she was, not even twenty-three, with her whole life ahead of her.

Plus, she had a job, money, a child on the way, and a roof over her head. Why waste time on a man?

This realization broadened her perspective, prompting her to advise Candice, "Keep your wits about you In this day and age, nothing's more secure than having money in hand. We're too good to waste our youth on men, especially not on someone like Dustin."

Candice glanced nervously over Emma's shoulder, desperately blinking.

Emma frowned, mistaking her friend's signals for infatuation with Dustin's charm. "Blinking won't change the fact he's bad news. Now that he's here at Stellar Stage Entertainment, and you being as adorable as you are, don't fall for just any sweet talker."

Candice looked desperate, eyeing someone behind Emma, and sheepishly called out, "Mr. Lynch."

Emma froze, feeling a shadow loom over her.

Just moments ago, she and Candice had been chatting freely as they exited the elevator, unaware that Dustin had taken another.

Dustin, with a smirk, leaned in, resting a hand on Emma's shoulder in a carefree gesture, though his words seemed forced through clenched teeth. "Little host, you've caught my attention now."