Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 996

It was like looking at a mini-Max!

Brielle's lips quivered, unable to form words as the world seemed to tilt and blur around her. She tried to push thoughts of Max away, but in the dark of night, memories flooded in, unstoppable. Having had hallucinations before, she questioned if this Max-lookalike kid was real or just another figment of her imagination.

But it felt too real.

Frozen in place, the memory of that devastating fire flashed before her eyes once more. She stumbled back, and by the time she snapped back to reality, the child was gone. Brielle shook herself awake, frantically scanning her surroundings. Still no sign.

She sprinted after the figure, catching only a glimpse of the child getting into a car that quickly drove off. Brielle chased after the car for a few steps before slowing to a stop, squinting up at the blinding sunshine. The child was the spitting image of Max in every way. The thought of her unborn child flashed through her mind.

In the moving vehicle, the driver glanced back at the woman running behind, furrowing his brow. "Young Master, did you forget to pay for something?"

It was the Young Master's first outing, and he had insisted on coming here to buy a ring. He had been sheltered his whole life and never taught the basics of everyday living. He probably didn't even realize you had to pay for things in a store. Otherwise, why would that woman be chasing after us?

The child looked up, his face indeed a miniature Max's. "Pay for it?" His voice was slow, deliberate with each word. "Daddy said, 'If you want it, take it."""

The driver sighed helplessly. "What did you take from inside, Young Master?"

"Nothing at all." He answered quickly, raising his hand, "I want a ring."

The child had a mild communication disorder. He had lived all his life in a deserted castle, meals prepared on schedule, with only a pet for company Although beautiful, the castle was a lonely place, a lavish landmark of the country but devoid of companions. It wasn't until recently that someone came to teach him language. Otherwise, at his age, he might still be unable to converse. His interactions had been limited to his pet and the occasional visit from his father.

"So you didn't take anything? Then there's no need to pay. I thought the woman chasing the car was a sales clerk because you hadn't paid."

"Sales clerk?"

"The person who sells you things."

Huo Zhi glanced in the rearview mirror, but the distance was too far now. He could only see a tiny dot. He returned his gaze forward, but the image of the woman he encountered at the mall lingered in his mind. "Australian, beautiful."

Meanwhile, Brielle got into her own

car and couldn't help but call Dustin. Dustin had been busy wrapping up affairs for the Lynch family, still hunting down a few deeply hidden individuals. Ecstatic at Brielle's call, Dustin nearly jumped for joy. He had been tormented this past month, with Brielle refusing to communicate with anyone, spending her days in a daze and her nights in silent tears. Fearing for their sanity, Dustin felt he might soon need a shrink himself.

"Hey, sis," he called softly, trying to sound as gentle as possible.

"Bro, can you look into a kid for me? Looks just like Max, as if carved out of the same mold. His dad might be Max's twin brother."

At that, Dustin's smile vanished.

Max, again. After hallucinations and shattered dreams, she'd come to North America, yet the nightmare persisted. Was she seeing Max out there once more? Rubbing his temple, Dustin sighed. "Alright, I'll look into it."

Brielle couldn't rest until she knew the truth. She was desperate for answers.