Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Brielle gently massaged Desiree's shoulders, her touch light and careful. She bit her lip, her eyes rimmed red as she continued her soothing motions. After a while, Desiree's aged voice broke the silence.

"What's this, sweetheart? Why the tears?"

Brielle snapped out of her thoughts and realized her own tears had stained the quilt with a spreading watermark. Quickly, she wiped them away. Desiree lifted a hand and gently patted Brielle's back.

"You're still young, my dear. There's no hurdle too high to overcome."

Everyone at the sanatorium knew Desiree for her sweet disposition. She came from a line of genuine blue blood, a true lady in every sense.

Desiree had spoken enough for the day. Feeling weary, she shuffled under the covers, preparing to lie down. Brielle supported her back, helping her settle into a comfortable position. Desiree gave her a kind glance, wanting to say thanks, but her energy failed her. She slowly closed her eyes instead.

Brielle heard voices approaching the door, suggesting someone was about to enter. She stood up and neatly tucked in Desiree's quilt. Desiree had fallen asleep, her breathing soft and steady.

"Grandma, I'm sorry I couldn't call out to you while you were awake. Your health is so fragile, I was afraid to cause you any distress. Yesterday, I caught a glimpse of father from afar, but I didn't dare approach. So many people are trying to keep me away from you, and I don't even know who they are."

She slipped a note she had prepared earlier into Desiree's hand, the only way to tell her that her granddaughter was still alive. Desiree's health was hanging by a thread, and reading the note might not stir her emotions too much. It was better than two people who missed each other dearly breaking down in tears face-to-face.

Brielle hoped for her longevity, so she didn't dare take the risk.

The voices grew closer, and she moved to the window, slipping out silently.

When Annie walked in, she found only Desiree, staring blankly at the ceiling, with no sign of anyone else. A breeze wafted through the window, making the curtains flutter. Annie searched outside but found no trace of Brielle, even though the surveillance confirmed she had entered the sanatorium. A flicker of malice crossed her eyes as she pressed further.

"Grandmother, are you sure no one came to visit just now?"

Desiree kept her eyes shut, offering no response. Annie knew she was running on fumes, barely holding or Without waiting for an answer, Annie ked to the window and looked

walked to

out into the distance. Nothing

Where could Brielle have gone?

Her lips curled into a cold smirk as she left the room. Several people were already standing around the sanatorium. Annie gestured dismissively.

"Find her. And this time, make sure she doesn't leave the country."

Those meant to be dead should not cling to life.

As she exited the sanatorium and

saw the car waiting for her, she climbed in to find a man shrouded in black attire already inside. Her expression soured.

"Didn't find her. You must be pleased, huh?"

The man said nothing, his pale fingers tapping lightly on the window frame. Annie didn't dare push him

too hard after all, he was no Murray, not her lackey. She was convinced that Brielle hadn't left the

sanatorium because there were only two exits, both manned by her people.

No one wanted Brielle to make it back alive, especially not to show her face in front of the Lynch family.

They searched until nightfall, but Brielle remained unaccounted for. Annie shot the man a glance. "Did you help her?"

How else could Brielle have managed to stay hidden this long?

The man chuckled lightly, the corners of his mouth turning up in amusement.

"Not at all."

Annie was furious, ordering an intensified search.