Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 966

Antonio was racking his brain, trying to figure out where things had gone off the rails.

How did Max, once shunned by the Dorseys, end up as the secret CEO of Dream Tech Designs? Why did the power promised to him vanish into thin air? Had he failed in his mission? But hadn't the Dorseys' influence helped him capture Aubree and Brielle? What went wrong? Antonio never doubted the Boss; he was a die-hard believer. If something had gone awry, it had to be because he didn't follow the Boss's orders to the letter. He grabbed his car keys, ready to leave, when the butler approached him respectfully. "The old man wants to see you upstairs."

A flicker of irritation crossed Antonio's face. What could that old codger possibly want now? He stomped up the stairs, a storm of rage brewing inside him, wishing he could smash everything in his path. He had installed a TV in the old man's room to show him how he was climbing the ladder, using Max as a stepping stone. But now, the tables had turned; Max was climbing over everyone at Dorsey International.

The news was everywhere, with the TV constantly covering it. The old man must have seen it by now. Antonio felt a wave of embarrassment and wished the old man would just drop dead.

"Grandpa, what is it? If you're talking about the news online, yes, it's true. And I don't need your mockery. I just need to get back in the Boss's good graces, and I can still turn this around. Max is nothing."

To speak so boldly at this point was sheer madness. Anyone could see the terrifying power of DreamTech Designs, which had taken over Dorsey International in just a few days. But Antonio believed the Boss was far more formidable than Max. He needed to get to the estate and figure out what went wrong, see if there was still time to fix it. It was just DreamTech Designs, after all. The Boss would have a plan.

Michael sat quietly in his chair, watching the TV host heap praise on Max. Days ago, everyone thought Max was done for-breaking with the Dorseys, facing lawsuits, and jail time. Now, no one believed Max had stolen anything from the Dorseys. The money for DreamTech Designs' first move the acquisition of a bankrupt toy factory-was earned on Wall Street by Max himself. He owed nothing to the Dorseys; in fact, he had been their most diligent worker for years. With him, the Dorsey family was stable, like a towering mountain in Beaconsfield, unmovable.

It wasn't Max who had stolen from Dorsey International; it was Dorsey International that had stolen his life's work, his youth. How could the Dorseys have the audacity to accuse Max?

The host seemed eager to elevate

Max to sainthood. DreamTech Designs, though discreet in its dealings, had a power that couldn't be understated. The company had even made deals with the top twenty universities globally, investing in them so they would feed it a steady stream of Al prodigies for decades. Max had truly earned his title as a financial wizard.

Watching the news, Michael felt only calm. He had regretted his actions, but it was too late now-the Dorsey empire was in Max's hands. If someone had suggested such a thing the day before, Michael would have laughed it off. Who could take over Dorsey International? Who had the means?

Michael stared at the television, not

wanting to miss a single detail. If he had one regret in life, it was that because of Brielle, he had driven Max to break with the Dorseys. And Max had DreamTech Designs, something Michael couldn't have fathomed in his wildest dreams. He was worthy of Michael's faith, a man who'd emerged from turmoil since he was ten. Michael's judgment hadn't failed; his chosen successor could overturn any expectation.

Once again, Michael regretted his actions deeply. The fate of Dorsey International's acquisition was sealed, but as its former heir, Michael still felt a sense of duty. He didn't want to face his ancestors in hell bearing the shame of failure. "Ashton, even though Dorsey International has been acquired, go negotiate with Max. Ask him to retain the Dorsey name and not merge it into Dream Tech Designs."

Always Max.

Antonio almost laughed. Max likely despised the Dorseys by now, having been their scapegoat and even blamed for William's death.

"Grandpa, are you joking?"

Michael scoffed, "You don't

understand him. I know him best. Despite everything the Dorseys have done, he won't hate me. He doesn't even know what that feels like. Just talk to him, reason with him, and you could still be the president of Dorsey International. There's still room to maneuver."

"Enough!"