Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 969

Within the sprawling estate, Brielle and Aubree were under constant watch. Some guards were loyal to Antonio, the enigmatic figure, while others were under King, another shadowy presence. Antonio's men treated Brielle with palpable disdain, as if they'd love nothing more than to tear her apart. On the flip side, King's men were respectful, preventing any harm from coming to her. Then Antonio himself showed up.

"Max, cool your jets. The ladies are off-limits for now," someone blocked Antonio's path.

Off-limits?

Antonio thought he'd misheard. With the grudge against Max, sparing his women seemed out of the question. If this woman died, even if Max acquired Dorsey International, he'd live in misery forever.

"Max, the boss's orders are clear. No one acts until he arrives."

To Antonio, the boss was like a deity. He wouldn't dare disobey.

He lowered his dagger and approached Brielle, his voice dripping with loathing. "Who'd have thought you'd end up like this?"

Brielle didn't know Antonio well, but she recognized his voice.

Antonio?

Sitting on a nearby couch, Antonio's eyes roamed over Brielle, as if undressing her with his gaze. William had talked about toying with Brielle once they got Dorsey International-after all, she was Max's woman. Maybe she had some tricks up her sleeve in bed. Antonio agreed. The thought of defiling Max's love thrilled him.

Yet here she was, and he couldn't touch her.

His face twisted with hatred as he thought about Max's aggressive takeover, his mouth tasting of blood.

When would the boss arrive? Antonio was impatient, eager for answers.

His eyes bore into Brielle, as if he wanted to peel her skin off.

But Brielle, blindfolded, couldn't see. She only felt his creepy stare, making her skin crawl.

Antonio managed to restrain himself, waiting for the boss's arrival.

He had unwavering faith in the boss. Even with Dream Tech Designs snapping up Dorsey International, what did it matter? The boss was invincible, far stronger than Max.

Old man Michael still hoped for Max-foolish beyond belief.

Antonio felt different from the rest; he was the Dorsey family's hope. Only he had beaten Max. That old man, outplayed by Max, was now stuck in the family mansion for his twilight years. Defeating Max had become Antonio's obsession, his only path to sanity.

The boss's arrival was his beacon of light.

A smug smile curled on his lips. The mansion, perched on the mountain, backed onto a sheer cliff. Once the boss arrived, Antonio planned to have his way with Brielle, then kill her and toss her off the cliff for wolves and dogs to devour.

Max's pain would be his greatest joy.

Lost in his twisted fantasies, Antonio didn't notice the brewing storm outside The wind howled, descending from the mountain's peak, hinting at rain. The sky darkened ominously.

Brielle lay on the couch, having spent a day and a night in this state.

An hour later, she heard heavy footsteps. Someone lifted her chin. "Look at you, all skin and bones, poor thing."

The man's voice was laced with pity as his fingertips traced her skin.

It was King.

He had finally arrived.

Brielle had been gathering her strength, knowing a showdown with this man was inevitable.

His touch repulsed her, but she knew she had to negotiate.

"Now that you're here, let Aubree go."

"So concerned for her?" King remarked, as Aubree, who had awoken, sensed the danger and clung to Brielle.

"I won't leave! Let me stay," Aubree pleaded.

King raised an eyebrow, his tone edged with danger. "You want to stay and feed the wolves? You were just bait. Tonight, I'll have someone take you away."

Aubree stiffened. If she left, what fate awaited Brielle?

She propped herself up, lunging forward, hoping to provoke the man and force him to keep her there. Or maybe he'd just pull the trigger and end her misery.

If Brielle died, Aubree's life would hold no meaning.

Hadn't they promised to see the world together?

If she were to be left alone in this world...

She was tired, perhaps longing for an escape ever since that last terrible incident.

In her final moments, her thoughts weren't only of Brielle but also of Andrew.