Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

The car had just cruised around the sanatorium, but the search was fruitless.

Annie, exhausted by the end, ordered her team to keep a close watch on the sanatorium. If Brielle showed up, they were to take her out immediately, no questions asked. The car sped off, its taillights fading into the distance.

As they passed a deserted alley, Brielle finally released her grip on the undercarriage and slipped into the shadows, her heart pounding from the close call. It was a risky move, but she had no other choice. Luckily, no one noticed her.

Unfamiliar with the city, she wandered through the maze-like alleys, unable to find an exit. Returning to the villa was out of the question with that mute guy around. She needed a new hiding spot.

That's when she thought of Keiran. To shake her pursuers, she needed to bank on Keiran's notoriety, to make a bold appearance in the city. That would give her pursuers pause. They'd have to think twice, as causing a media frenzy would bring them trouble too. So, Brielle dialed Keiran's number.

Before she had gotten off the plane, she'd told Keiran to keep his phone handy - even if it was one of those old-school flip phones, it should be enough to take a call.

Keiran answered almost immediately.

"Hello?"

"It's Brielle."

She quickly briefed Keiran, telling him to come get her. He responded promptly, instructing her to stay put.

Relieved, Brielle had just ended the call when she heard a voice.

"Ms. Brielle."

It was strangely familiar. She looked up to see one of Max's men, the one in uniform.

But what was he doing here?

"Ms. Brielle, the boss is here too. Please, come with me."

His tone was respectful, and the surrounding silence was thick, broken only by the occasional car passing by.

Instinctively, Brielle glanced at her phone. If Max was here, why hadn't he called her himself?

Just as she thought that, her phone rang - it was Max. She was about to answer when a shout broke the silence. "She's over here!"

The ringing phone gave away her position.

Brielle answered while moving deeper into the shadows, asking Max, "You're here?"

The line was full of static, making it impossible to understand.

"Ms. Brielle, this way," the uniformed man urged, leading the way with confidence.

Brielle glanced behind her; footsteps were closing in. She instinctively followed the man.

But the static on the line worsened

Her phone was a secure line from Patrick and Max's phone was secure too. It had to be eitherà bad signal or a jammer nearby

She hung up and asked the man, "Why would Max come here?"

"The boss is worried about you."

"I have someone coming to get me. Just hold off anyone following me. I'll be fine."

Her voice was icy, and she moved past him, leaving him behind.

"Make sure you stay safe. Just buy me some time."

The man in uniform stood there, thinking, then nodded slowly. "Alright, Ms. Brielle, take care."

Brielle pressed on, navigating the darkening alley. Something felt off. The alley grew more oppressive.

Hearing footsteps, she started running, desperate to get away from everyone, including the man in uniform.

She wasn't naive; she stayed alert.

One moment she was talking to Keiran, the next, the signal went haywire just as the uniformed man appeared.

Max had warned her: trust no one.

The phone was on silent as she ran. She tried to call back, but the screen dimmed - her battery was dead.

The uniformed man's voice echoed behind her.

"Ms. Brielle, why are you running?"

His confusion sent chills down her spine.

Suddenly, an arm shot out from the shadows, pulling her aside. A door appeared in the wall, and a man dragged her through, clamping a hand over her mouth.

Brielle's eyes widened in terror as the uniformed man's footsteps passed by, unaware.

She struggled fiercely, but the man held on tighter.

It was the mute!