Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 948

Brodie wheeled himself into the room, catching Brielle's eye with a silent nod before focusing on Max.

"Dad wants me to find out who's behind the poisoning," he said.

Max didn't plan on leaving anytime soon. He'd just come down from discussing prep work with Ramey upstairs. Brielle's show was set to start in three days, and with this unresolved mess, Max couldn't focus on anything else. When Brodie spoke, Max just nodded. Brodie gripped his wheelchair tightly. "Dad thinks it was you."

Max wasn't surprised and even admitted, "Yeah, I'm the prime suspect right now."

Brodie likely came to Premier Palace because he thought Max was the most likely culprit. Dorsey International had been ruthless with Max lately. If it weren't for those major project issues, Max might be in jail by now.

But Brodie wasn't like the rest of the Dorsey family; he knew Max didn't do it. He also knew that the trouble at Dorsey International meant Max's plans were in motion.

Brodie didn't have any particular affection for the Dorsey family, but he was curious about Max's schemes, though he doubted Max would share anything with him.

His gaze drifted to Brielle, the woman who seemingly brought Max down to earth. His look wasn't invasive, just a casual appraisal.

After a few minutes, Brodie turned back to Max and asked, "So, when can I expect to see the news break?"

Max had hinted before that Dorsey International news would be on TV soon.

"Now that the plan's in motion, how many days will it take?"

"Brodie," Max replied coolly, "Patrick said there's been a mass exodus from Dorsey International. The execs are almost all gone, and the board members have been restless for a while. What used to take a week might now hit the news in about two days." His tone was detached, as if toppling a corporate giant like Dorsey International was no big deal.

Brodie looked at Max with a hint of envy, his hand unconsciously resting on his numb legs, a wry smile touching his lips.

"Got it. I'll leave you to it then."

Max stepped forward, personally wheeling Brodie out.

As Brodie took in the surroundings of Premier Palace, he couldn't help but sigh.

"I don't want to get mixed up in Beaconsfield's affairs, Max, but your illness still worries me."

Max stayed silent, his fingers resting on the wheelchair, pale and slender.

"This might just be my fate."

Brodie wanted to ask, "Do you hate Dad?" But he knew the question was pointless. Max had never

U'T

understood love or hate before. He might get love now, but hate was stilla luxury.

Otherwise, why would Michael think he could control Max with that drug? Michael fancied himself the puppet master, not realizing he was the one being manipulated, indifferent to everything else.

Sometimes Brodie wondered what made Max who he was, what he wanted to achieve, and what his purpose was in this world. But maybe even Max didn't know.

Once, Max stood at the top, achieving in a snap what others couldn't in a lifetime. He had so much, yet he was destined to lose just as much.

"Max, I've got my eye on an island, but I don't know if Dad will let me go or keep using me against you. So, take me there tomorrow, before it all falls apart."

This was a tough choice for Brodie.

After breaking up with his girlfriend, he'd lived in a daze, but he was still a Dorsey through and through. Leaving Beaconsfield meant abandoning the entire Dorsey family. It went against the Dorsey ethos, branding him the prodigal son. But he couldn't bear to witness the family's downfall, so leaving the day before seemed like the best end for

him.

He couldn't be as nonchalant as Max and resorted to his old ways, playing the coward, the deserter.

"Alright, I'll do as you ask, Brodie."

After ensuring Brodie was settled in the car and whispering instructions to a nearby man, Max watched as Brodie was driven away.

Brodie had no worries about being intercepted by Michael and brought back; a promise from Max was as good as done.