Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

In Michael's eyes, Brielle was the one who had ruined Max. If Brielle had never entered his life, Max would have stayed loyal to the Dorsey family and never wandered into the mess of love and romance. Dorseys were never the type to fall head over heels, but Max wasn't really one of them, was he?

Michael had hit his limit. Lately, trying to get in touch with Max was like trying to catch smoke with his bare hands-calls went unanswered or were abruptly cut off. It seemed Max had hidden the youngest Dorsey brother away, focused on finding an alternative to that drug. A sly smile crept onto Michael's face as he holstered his gun. There was no point in pressuring Brodie now; the man was already a wreck and hadn't made any progress.

"Max, break up with Brielle and take charge of Dorsey International again. I'll have Ashton assist you. As for Sean, I'll make sure he backs off. Drop this nonsense about Brielle, and no one else needs to suffer."

William had already lined up a team of sharp lawyers. If it came to a legal battle, Max was bound to be dragged through a thorny patch of trouble.

Besides, the gossip about Max's real background had gone viral, causing the Dorsey family's stock to take a nosedive.

Michael didn't have many years left and he'd be damned if he let the Dorsey legacy crumble now.

Max held the phone, his tone indifferent. "And if I refuse?"

"Then don't blame me for what happens next. Remember the agreement you signed all those years ago? Did you think I'd ever fully trust the fate of the Dorsey empire to an outsider? That agreement gave me the power to veto your position indefinitely. I could replace you with Ashton as the CEO of Dorsey International right now, and you'd be powerless to stop it. As for your shares, I can reclaim them without changing a thing.'

"Then do it. Take them back."

Max's voice was even more detached as he heard Brielle whimper from a nightmare, signaling her distress.

"I've already signed the paperwork to transfer my Dorsey International shares. That title holds no allure for me anymore."

After hanging up, he moved to the bed.

Brielle was indeed trapped in a nightmare, her forehead beaded with sweat as she dreamt of danger befalling their child, her calls for help echoing in vain. Max gently dabbed her forehead with a tissue, wiping away the sweat.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

The phone rang again, this time it was Patrick, informing him that Dustin had arrived in Beaconsfield.

Before Patrick could finish, Dustin snatched the phone from him. "Max, I heard Brielle's pregnant?"

It was a slip of the tongue from Patrick; Dustin had been stewing the entire trip.

"Yeah."

"Come downstairs."

Dustin had pulled up at the gates of Pearl Estate but didn't come up. Instead, he instructed Max to meet him outside.

Max took the elevator down and as soon as he stepped outside, he was greeted with a punch to the face.

"You got her pregnant without even

a wedding, without meeting the

l.ne

and with the Dorsey family

ibles?!"

Max dodged, but didn't dare to fight back. This was his responsibility, and he had no defense.

The punch left his lip bruised, and he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Dustin, still frail from his own struggles and with a mountain of issues awaiting him, couldn't help but seethe at the sight of Max.

BUMS

"I'll marry her, take responsibility. Once her mood stabilizes..."

He was cut off as Dustin grabbed him by the collar. "Marry her? I've been listening to the Dorsey family's mess all the way here, and it's not even certain you can keep your CÈO seat. With what are you planning to marry her? And what's this about her being unstable? Is the baby at risk?"

Max fell silent, and Dustin, fuming, let him go. Patrick stood a short distance away, too wary to interject.