Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Brielle frowned, heading straight to her office. She had skimmed through the online buzz, already predicting Alivia's downfall when she instructed Murray. Alivia had brought it on herself.

Twitter was still blowing up with comments under her posts-the shock of rejecting Max was too massive for everyone to handle. No surprise Alivia was losing her mind. The man she had chased for years, who never even glanced her way, had fallen for Brielle, a girl from an orphanage. Anybody in her position would be devastated. But that didn't justify Alivia's meltdown. By now, she had lost it completely, smashing everything in her room. After a sleepless night, she was on the edge, alternating between sobbing and hysterical laughter. Finally, she sent a desperate, almost groveling message to Jaired, begging for his help.

Jaired couldn't help but smirk at her message. He knew she was at her breaking point. She'd probably bark like a dog if he asked her to, such was her desperation. He relished the twisted pleasure of seeing a once-proud beauty reduced to a pitiful wreck. Sure, he had a thing for Alivia, but once she lost her edge and was beaten down by Brielle, his interest faded. He craved malice, the sharpness in a woman. He longed for the bloom of wickedness. The old Alivia fit the bill-using anyone and everyone to achieve her goals, and he was more than willing to be at her beck and call.

If she had been willing to drag everyone down without hesitation, Jaired would have gladly helped her. But now she was nothing more than a desperate, drowning rat, clinging to false hopes. She wasn't worth another move.

He blocked her number, swirling his

wine glass, unwilling to give her any more attention. He had given Alivia chancesbefore, like the time he had put her on a leash. Had she complied, he would have been

content to continue their games. But

her pride made her boring.

Alivia sent several messages, all unanswered. She dialed Jaired frantically-he was her last hope. But the call wouldn't connect; she had been blocked. Blocked by a man who had once chased after her, begging for a single glance. Alivia couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all, as if everything was a sham. Her eyes, bloodshot, finally gave way to tears. But at her lowest, Antonio called. Hope flickered within her once more.

She went to see Antonio, feeling uneasy. Back when they were abroad, she had humiliated him. She had only wanted to marry Max, so when Antonio suggested they give it a try, her response was cutting: "Do you think you can measure up to Max?"

A chill passed through Antonio's gaze. "He'll fall eventually, pulled down by me." Alivia had taken it as a joke.

After the nightclub incident, Michael

had reassured her, claiming he had a way to deal with Max, speaking with confidence. Michael had led the Dorsey family for years. His

assurance meant something elnet

had believed him, staying herhand during that time. But she never imagined losing her chance to marry into the Dorsey family.

vel

She was curious about Michael's plan. Was Antonio's invitation to meet an indication he would reveal it? She dressed provocatively, heading to his villa personally. Antonio's features were unremarkable among the Dorseys, and his presence carried a cold, sinister air. When his gaze fixed on someone, it was as though he could hiss venom like a snake.