Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Alivia's face was alight with glee, her eyes twinkling with barely concealed mirth.

She never would've guessed that Brielle's family background was so terribly lowbrow. It had become the talk of the town, a juicy piece of gossip that many couldn't resist sharing with her. They all hinted that Max would eventually grow weary of the disparity between them. Brielle's humble beginnings were seen as a ceiling to her potential. She was nothing but an accessory to Max's life, they said. And a man like Max would surely find the burden too heavy in time.

Of course, Alivia agreed wholeheartedly, which only bolstered her confidence that she was the one destined to walk down the aisle with Max.

"Martha, you just focus on getting your strength back," Alivia comforted her.

Martha's face was a dance of anger and humiliation - humiliation for her son being entangled with such a woman like Brielle.

She took a deep breath, as if preparing herself to make a monumental decision. "Alivia, do you remember what I told you? I'd lay down my very life to see you and Max together." "Martha, please, calm down."

"Ha! Those two will have a baby before we know it if I don't do something now. That bitch!"

Martha spat out the words, her chest heaving with emotion.

Alivia felt a surge of satisfaction. People like Brielle were beneath her, not even fit to polish her shoes. She didn't need to take Brielle seriously, just bide her time and let others deal with her.

After Alivia soothed Martha with a few more platitudes, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and her expression turned serious. "Martha, excuse me, I need to take this call."

Stepping into the hallway, she took a deep breath before answering, "Mr. Lynch."

Dustin Lynch of Infinity Brilliance was a major player in the research world and one of their leading investors.

It was the financial titans who reigned supreme. The more prestigious the institution, the more formidable its backers. Infinity Brilliance was a household name among the North American elite, and Dustin, the young man at the helm, warranted her utmost courtesy.

Alivia often wondered, though, why

Dustin, known as a flirt, showed so little interest in her. They had met a few times, and while she was head over heels for Max, and determined that healone would be her husband, she couldn't help but feel slighted. Everyone longed to be desired by those they perceived as attractive and successful.

Dustin had always been nothing but polite, which left Alivia feeling a tinge of defeat.

"Ms. Alivia, I've sent over the new resumes for the institute's staff. We can move forward with the schedule, and I'll need your full cooperation."

"The institute is the one that should be thanking you, Mr. Lynch, for coming all this way to finalize the location."

Dustin chuckled on the other end,

his voice warm and enticing, as though his words were caressing her very soul. "Don't mention it, Ms. Alivia dust ensure you do your part, and the director's position will remain yours." NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.

As the primary investor, Infinity Brilliance held sway over countless top-tier research institutes and the billions in annual funding they required, granting Dustin the

swnevel.

authority to make such promises.

Reassured by his words, Alivia relaxed.

Meanwhile, Dustin stood before an expansive floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the bustling cityscape.

"Let's leave it at that, Ms. Alivia. Once the staff selection is complete, I expect you to finalize your research focus promptly. Here's to a fruitful collaboration."

Without waiting for her response, he ended the call. Dustin wasn't in the best of spirits and had little interest in domestic affairs.

After delivering this message, he turned off his own phone.

On his desk lay a critical condition notice, prompting a weary sigh as he rubbed his temples.

Decades had passed with no word.

Each attempt had failed to bring back good news, and deep down, he harbored a grim suspicion: perhaps his sister was no longer in this world.

If that were indeed the case, there would so many people brokenhearted.