Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Everyone in the social circle knew Connor was shameless to the core. The scandal involving his wife had become the talk of the town, and his reputation had taken such a hit that he no longer feared public embarrassment.

Accusing someone like him was pointless. So, the crowd turned their jeering eyes toward the woman hiding her face beneath the bedsheet. And Lillian, shrouded beneath that sheet, felt surge of satisfaction as the mockery was directed at Brielle.

Desperate to escape, she dashed for the door, but with her vision obscured, she stumbled out of the room and took a tumble in the hallway, landing right at Spencer’s feet.

The onlookers burst into laughter again.

“Look at her now, what a joke! Guess her only shining moment was acing those finals, huh?”

“I heard she’s working at Dorsey International. Think Max knows how embarrassing his employee is?”

“What does Max have to do with this? He’s leagues above someone like Brielle. They’re in completely different worlds.”

Lillian winced from the fall and her pride stung even more upon hearing the mentions of Max. It infuriated her that everyone thought Max and Brielle shouldn’t mix, yet during his vulnerable moments under the influence, it was Brielle he desired.

Why Brielle and not her? All she got was a night of humiliation from Connor. The more they insulted Brielle, the better Lillian felt.

She picked herself up, still clutching the sheet over her head, wrapping herself up tightly. Unaware that Spencer was right in front of her, she attempted to bolt past him, but Spencer, never one to let things slide, saw a perfect opportunity to embarrass Brielle, who had made him look like a fool at Dorsey International.

“Bri, what’s happened to you?” Spencer feigned concern, pulling her close, his hand reaching to peel away the sheet.

Startled, Lillian wondered how Spencer could be there. “No, don’t!” She clung to the sheet. wishing she could vanish from the scene.

To Spencer, something felt off; the voice sounded more like Lillian than Brielle. As he peeled back the sheet slightly, he could see Lillian’s tear–streaked face, though the others couldn’t.

There stood Lillian, a mess, her expression a silent plea. Spencer froze, disbelief etched across his face.

The crowd continued to taunt, “What’s wrong? Does it hurt to see your ex–fiancée like this, Spencer?” From NôvelDrama.Org.

“Why not pull off the sheet, Spencer? Let’s all see the state she’s in.”

14:20

Lip 2

A flicker of something passed through Spencer’s eyes amidst the internal turmoil, but he quickly covered Lillian again with the sheet. “Let’s leave her be,” he said to the crowd. “Knowing it’s Brielle is enough.”

Hearing this, Lillian’s eyes gleamed with triumph. Spencer was on her side. Blind and desperate, she leaned on him and whispered, audible only to them, “Spencer, please, get me out of here.”

Though feeling repulsed, Spencer’s hatred for Brielle outweighed his disgust for Lillian. As they made their way out, the spectators followed, tossing barbs.

“Brielle slept with Connor, and Spencer’s still so kind to her. She must be blessed.”

“Well, they’ve known each other since they were kids. Guess Spencer’s just too soft–hearted.”

They managed to insult Brielle while elevating Spencer’s own status.

The elevator dinged open, and Spencer was about to step in with Lillian when he saw Brielle and Max already inside, looking pristine and composed.

The crowd, too, was taken aback by Brielle’s tidy appearance, as if they couldn’t believe their eyes. Max himself was as cool as ever, eyes half–closed, his lashes casting a chill of satiated indolence.