Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

When Brielle got back to Pearl Estate, the slight buzz she had from earlier vanished. Downstairs, Addison and Aiden were waiting in the car, their presence a comforting constant that put her at ease.

She soaked in the bathtub, letting the hot water melt away her fatigue. After getting dressed, Brielle made a call to the hospital, where Max's trusted people were on guard. She couldn't afford another slip-up like the one with Annie. She instructed them to keep a close watch on Murray and to move him to a secure location once his condition improved. Murray was still valuable, and she couldn't risk him escaping as well.

Brielle booted up her laptop and scanned the online chatter. Ever since Keiran's announcement of signing with Stellar Stage Entertainment that afternoon, the internet had been buzzing. The company's stock continued to soar, doubling in value since she took over, first by securing Kenzo's script and now with Keiran on board. The scandals that once plagued Stellar Stage Entertainment were becoming a thing of the past, thanks to Brielle's sweeping reforms. Their artists could now walk with their heads held high, but she knew there was still work to do.

The film featuring Aubree and Ricardo had wrapped up, and its release would undoubtedly cement Stellar Stage Entertainment's reputation. A smile played on Brielle's lips as her fingers danced over the keyboard, browsing through fans' comments before shutting down the computer.

With her departure abroad only two days away, nerves were inevitable despite her preparation. Just as she was about to lie down on the bed, her phone buzzed with a message from Tiffanie Harkins. Since their last misunderstanding, Tiffanie hadn't been in touch. The message read: The Dorsey International execs visited Grandpa. Ten minutes ago, Dorsey International's biggest investment this year hit a snag. Grandpa might be in his hospital bed, but he's not sweating it. Be careful.

Tiffanie's message was a cautionary heads-up. If Michael's hospitalization was part of a scheme, it could be aimed at the Dorsey family, at Max personally, or perhaps even at Brielle herself. Brielle's eyes narrowed, knowing she couldn't get involved in the Dorsey family's affairs for the time being. All she could do now was get everything in order and wait for Max's return.

After a good night's sleep, she made plans to meet Aubree at Tequila Sunset. Aubree had just finished shooting, and with no immediate projects lined up by Stellar Stage Entertainment, she was enjoying some downtime. Brielle, with only two days before her trip, naturally wanted to make the most of her time. She needed to show the world how unfazed she was—as if Dustin's disappearance and the news about Infinity Brilliance hadn't affected her in the slightest. And she decided to bring Keiran along.

Though Keiran was visibly reluctant, the impending trip abroad meant he had no choice but to join her. Tequila Sunset was livelier at night, but the daytime crowd was still bustling. Brielle usually opted for a private booth, but today, she deliberately chose an open seating area, with a plan in mind. Aubree, aware that Brielle's outing had an ulterior motive, played along and ordered several rounds of the priciest drinks.

But when she offered a drink to

Keiran, she couldn't help but snort disdainfully-Keiran had offended her by commenting on her looks. Brielle found it amusing; Aubree had always taken pride in her stunning appearance. With looks that could rival a blooming peony, she had the potential to take the entertainment world by storm. Keiran, with a temperament like a petulant child, pushed the drink away and said indifferently, "I don't accept charity."

Aubree's nose twitched with irritation-had Keiran not been easy on the eyes, she might have given him a piece of her mind. "Bri, let's not bring him along next time we go drinking, okay?"

Keiran positioned himself

strategically, partially obscuring Aubree from view. To the casual observer, it seemed as if the two were cozily nestled together, deep in conversation. Although Tequila Sunset was an upscale venue, its patrons were unaccustomed to celebrity sightings like Keiran. Every social circle has its star chasers, and Keiran, with his clean image and genuine talent, had fans across all demographics. So, when someone snapped a photo of him and Aubree together and shared it on social media, it sparked an immediate frenzy.