Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Lillian’s eyes brimmed with tears as she nodded in agreement with Miranda’s words. “Mom, don’t say that. I never intended to hide anything. I was just worried about hurting someone’s feelings.”

She dabbed her eyes theatrically, feigning deep emotion.

From her seat in the audience, Brielle couldn’t help but snicker at the charade. Miranda and Lillian were both clearly trying to sling mud her way. And Lillian had even crafted a perfect excuse for her little fling with Spencer. She claimed their secret rendezvous was out of fear of breaking Brielle’s heart.

How utterly shameless.

The crowd picked up on the insinuation and their gazes turned toward Brielle, filled with scorn and disdain. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“She’s been living someone else’s life for over a decade, and she doesn’t seem the least bit remorseful.”

“So, Lillian and Spencer are the real couple, and Brielle’s just a homewrecker?”

“Can you believe she even leaked that video, trying to ruin them with public opinion? Her actions are unforgivable.”

At this point, everyone remembered the video that had circulated in their social circles. If Spencer and Lillian were truly an engaged couple, what they did in private was their business.

Brielle, the interloper, had stooped so low as to use such tactics against them. People felt uncomfortable sharing the same space with her, some even shifting away from her proximity.

Despite their looks, Brielle’s face remained calm, with a faint smile. Everyone expected her to show signs of heartache, disappointment, or hysteria, but there was nothing. Brielle appeared so serene, as if the drama unfolding had nothing to do with her, as if she were just a spectator. Yet, the subject of the onstage discussion was undoubtedly her.

Inexplicably, the crowd’s attention subtly shifted to Max, who sat in a corner, lazily fiddling with his rosary. There was a striking similarity in their demeanor.

Miranda and Lillian, who had been performing on the stage for so long, felt a bit awkward seeing Brielle being so indifferent. The atmosphere in the venue also became subtly tense.

Finally, Miranda cut to the chase, “Bri, come up here. I have something to say to you.” Her tone softened, but her eyes held a veiled threat.

Still smiling, Brielle replied, “Just say what you have to say. I can hear you perfectly fine from here.” Her voice was cool and detached as if she were addressing a stranger.

Miranda was infuriated and embarrassed. After raising Brielle for so many years, her lack of gratitude was appalling.

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In front of everyone, she felt humiliated, unsure of how to react. It was Lillian who stepped in. “Mom, Brielle’s upset. Let’s not force her. This is my fault. We’ve got a house full of guests tonight. Let’s not discuss this now. We can talk privately later, okay?”

Lillian’s defense of the very person who had stolen her identity for years could only be seen as a sign of her kindness. The crowd was moved, and their glances at Brielle were laced with irony.

One kind and gentle, the other malicious and selfish. There was no comparison.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Spencer stood up. “Brielle, stop acting so holier–than–thou. Don’t you think you owe Lillian an apology?”

No one expected Spencer to be the one to confront her. Faith was beside herself with rage. Hadn’t she warned him? The spotlight tonight was supposed to be on the Haywood family.

Her fists clenched in anger, but she dared not step forward rashly.

Spencer couldn’t stand the sight of Brielle acting as though she was above it all. Most troubling to him was how her demeanor seemed to mirror Max’s, which set him on edge.

Even now, as he berated Brielle, as he resented her, the thought of breaking off their engagement made his eyes sting with pain. What was happening to him? Why was he so conflicted?

“Apologize?” Brielle lifted her eyelids slightly, her gaze sweeping over him. “Apologize for what?”

Spencer took a deep breath, his teeth clenched with anger. “For willfully taking over her life. For usurping her parents. If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have suffered all these years. And you have the nerve to ask for what you should apologize?”