Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

The moment she stepped into the office, all eyes were drawn to her like magnets. They felt like sharp, judgmental knives, ready to peel away the facade she had so carefully

constructed

Whispers swirled around her

“Must be off to see Mr. Dorsey again. Some people have all the luck. Marrying into wealth sure has its perks”

“Marrying into wealth? Please, there’s not even a ring on her finger. Didn’t Mr. Spencer publicly deny any engagement?”

“Besides, word has it Mr. Spencer deliberately delayed the bid proposal because he’s got

issues with her.”

“But I heard that Brielle’s family is quite wealthy. Otherwise, how could she get engaged to Mr. Spencer? Don’t prestigious families emphasize matching social status?”

“Ha! Since when do rich people drive cars worth only tens of thousands? No chauffeur even. She just happened to be Mr. Spencer’s classmate, which is how she even got a foot in the door.”

“No wonder. Taking advantage of Mr. Spencer’s naiveté, she probably hoodwinked him into an engagement.”

After what Spencer had said yesterday, everyone was even more convinced of their

theories.

Brielle had always been an outlier in the department, landing a manager pos Mergers and Acquisitions division straight out of Beaconsfield College, stirri discontent among her peers.

Now with the revelation of her engagement to Spencer and her modest backgrou everyone suspected nepotism or worse, that she traded her body to get ahead. To self-proclaimed elite, she was no different from a courtesan.

The financial world was notorious for its hierarchies, and those within it often develop an inflated sense of self due to the massive capital they handled, imagining themselves as titans of the age.

Brielle, with her natural allure, had been unwelcome from day one. In the three years she’d been there, Lucinda was the only one she could really talk to.

Lucinda handed her the department’s internal phone with a casual tone, “Several companies have sent their bids to Integral Elements Inc. The president previously discussed a price of 130 million with you, but they’re now hoping to hit the 200-million

mark.”

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Brielle had done her homework on Integral Elements Inc., poring over annual reports and other investment banks’ research. She had even checked multiple simulation models; 130 million was the sweet spot. The sudden jump to 200 million was a clear indicator that other companies were courting them.

She dialed Integral Elements Inc., but instead of the president, his assistant picked up.

“Ms. Brielle, we’ve yet to receive your bid. It seems you’re not serious enough.”

“Our bid will be on your desk by nine tomorrow morning. However, your new asking price is a departure from our previous discussions, and I’d like to discuss this in person with Mr. Tanner.”

“Ms. Brielle, Mr. Tanner is very busy,” came the curt reply.

An excuse, no doubt. Tanner was probably meeting with competitors.

Brielle stood up, signaling three of her team members, including Lucinda, “Book the next flight out. You’re coming with me to Integral Elements Inc.”

The ones she picked, especially the two male colleagues, were none too pleased to be bossed around by a woman they considered to be a backdoor hire. Graduates from prestigious schools, they all had dreams of greatness.

Brielle had been decisive in her role, never showing weakness or seeking help in a damsel-in-distress manner, always maintaining a cool demeanor that seemed to threaten their sense of male pride.

What was the point of a woman being so assertive, they thought, when she was destined for domesticity?

But with Brielle as the manager and Spencer currently absent, she was the one in charge.

Integral Elements Inc., a small components manufacturer waiting to go public, was nestled in a neighboring town, providing over 3,000 jobs to the local community.

Brielle had been preparing for months with her team to acquire Integral Elements Inc. Now with the bid proposal stalled by Spencer, she had no choice but to fly out personally to make her case.

As she and her team boarded the plane, Max was wrapping up a meeting on his end.

Back in his office, he opened his laptop as Patrick brought him a cup of coffee, “Mr. Doesey, Ms. Brielle stopped by earlier.”

Max paused, setting down his coffee to check his inbox. Aside from the email from the previous night, there was nothing new from her. She must be upset, he thought.

Max tapped a few keys and sent Brielle a message – just a question mark. As the international conference call started, there was still no word from her. Max turned his attention back to the screen, his expression unreadable.

Brielle arrived in the neighboring city by four in the afternoon. The group then took a local bus straight to the town.

Before entering Integral Elements Inc., Brielle straightened her attire. The company was housed in a quaint five-story office building, with sprawling factories just a kilometer away, employing the whole town.

She had already researched Tanner, the young millionaire who returned to his hometown after college to start a business and enriched not just himself but his entire community.

To persuade a man like that, she knew that mere talk of fame and fortune wouldn’t

suffice.

“Sorry, Ms. Brielle, Mr. Tanner is currently entertaining guests,” the receptionist informed her upon arrival.

Brielle smiled and gestured towards the lobby sofas, “We’ll wait right here.

The receptionist had no choice but to oblige, offering them refreshments as they settled

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Lucinda’s expression was one of cool indifference as she settled into her seat, her words dripping with sarcasm as she criticized Integral Elements Inc.’s penny-pinching ways. “After all these years, they’re still holed up in this small town,” she muttered.

“Brielle, why did we bother to come in person? Without Integral Elements Inc., there are still other companies. We need to maintain a higher posture. After all, we represent Dorsey International. Your decision is not wise at all.”

Lucinda had held her tongue until now, but the audacity to speak her mind came from a text she had just received from a colleague.

Mr. Spencer had decided to promote her over Brielle, to put her in charge as the manager of the Mergers and Acquisitions department.

With a smirk, she thought, why bother with the pretense of deference in front of Brielle any longer?