Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Alivia's tirade caught fire on social media, her cutting remarks rocketing to the top of the trending charts like they were doused in gasoline. Thumbs-up icons surged to a staggering count of seventy or eighty thousand. Emboldened by the virtual applause, a savage grin twisted Alivia's features.

"That girl's a real piece of work. My heart bleeds for Kenzo, dumped and then he's the one who has to leave."

"Wouldn't surprise me if that whole fiasco with Alivia before was Brielle's doing. Everyone knows she's the queen bee of dirty tricks."

"Brielle's reputation in Beaconsfield's elite is beyond redemption. She clawed her way up the social ladder on her back, if you know what I mean. How else could she have her own company? A nobody like her making it big? Please." "Compared to Alivia, she's not even on the same level."

With a few swift strokes on the keyboard, these four venomous comments shot up to the top of the hot list. Under her posts, a chorus of replies buzzed with curiosity, begging to know if she was an insider with the scoop. Stung by Chase's provocation, Alivia had lost all semblance of reason, her words a frenzied, venomous spew.

By the time Brielle caught wind of the trending frenzy, the storm had been raging for over an hour. She scrolled through the speculations swirling around her and Kenzo, her silence heavy.

She knew Kenzo had someone in his heart, but his muse's identity was a mystery to her. Their friendship dated back to college days, Kenzo's talent, gentleness, and reserved nature always shining through, especially when she needed a helping hand.

The account that was hopping mad with glee belonged to the same person, spouting confident lies that fooled many of her followers, who were now eagerly awaiting further juicy revelations.

The torrent of public vitriol reached its crescendo, and even Victoria chimed in anonymously with her two cents about Brielle.

"She's got a knack for snagging men, that's for sure."

But she wasn't as unhinged as Alivia, a single snide comment was her only jab before bowing out, leaving Alivia to her one-woman war.

Brielle wasn't one to sit on her hands; she promptly sought out Murray. Murray, as taciturn as ever with a bandage wrapped around his neck, greeted Brielle with indifference. That was until she produced a photo of Annie.

"I've brought her back stateside. We can arrange a meeting tonight, but you have to promise me your skills are at my disposal from now on."

Murray's eyes lit up with a fervent glow, his cheeks flushed with excitement.

Brielle motioned for him to boot up his computer, and he complied, obedient and adept.

"In two hours, hack the app, switch everything to real names, and just hold that for thirty minutes."

Murray nodded, a simple task for a man of his caliber. Once Brielle left her instructions, she made her exit.

Returning to Premier Palace, she

caught sight of Max stepping out of his car. His calls had been frequent lately, and just the day after his return, he'd been summoned by the е Dorsey family. Whatever was discussed with Michael must have ended sourly, as Max's interactions with the Dorseys had dwindled.

Then there was Victoria, who had the gall to ring Brielle up, insinuating she was a vixen for clinging to Max Brielle's feud with Victoria was no secret, but a direct confrontation was unexpected, a sure sign of discord with the patriarch.

She was about to approach Max when his phone rang again. His brows knitted slightly as he answered. "Father, of course, I haven't forgotten about Brodie. Why else would I be dealing with the Dorsey family?" His tone was flat, his expression icy. "But this is the last time. I'll come over now. We need to talk."

Brielle caught snippets of the

conversation Max, absorbed in the call, didn't notice her and quickly re-entered his car, driving away without stepping inside. Brielle had intended to speak with him but now veered off into the Premier Palace instead.

No sooner had she settled in when a message from Aubree pinged in.

I'm itching to tear Alivia a new one. What a drama queen.

Aubree's account boasted millions of followers. A public spat with Alivia would certainly drag her own name through the mud.

Brielle, fearing Aubree might lose her cool, replied.

Hold off. The app's going legit with real IDs soon. Everyone will see those nasty comments are coming from her.

Meanwhile, Alivia, oblivious to the impending exposure, reveled in her successful smear campaign. As the online winds shifted in her favor, with masses condemning Brielle, she relished the return to her days of adoration. She even dug up Max's number, sending him a pitiful text.

Max, my brother's disappearance is all because of Brielle. I hope you see her for who she is. I was wrong before; I just liked you too much.

The message, sent with a fragile hope, bounced back - rejected.