Chapter 170

Max withdrew his hand, pulling out a handkerchief and silently wiping his fingertips.

Faith felt a jolt of humiliation but dared not offend him.

“He’s just two years younger than me.”

His casual remark felt like a barrage of slaps to both Faith and Spencer.

Indeed, how could they forget that Max was only two years older than Spencer?

Using himself to put down Spencer was an absolute crushing defeat. They were not even on the same level; there was no comparison.

Spencer was unworthy of even being mentioned in the same breath as him.

Spencer cast his eyes down, his shoulders drooping in defeat.

Faith, her lips quivering, was now too scared to utter another word.

With Max stepping forward, the atmosphere in the room seemed to reach a breaking point..

A few officers stood still, watching Lillian’s ashen face. Eventually, one of them couldn’t hold back.

“Miss Brielle, we will keep you updated on the progress of the case, and we thank you for your trust in the police force.”

It was a mere formality, but it served to cut through the tense air.

Lillian was speechless, her reasoning burnt to cinders by rage upon hearing Faith’s words..

Faith wanted to give up on her, hoping Spencer would not engage with her, even wishing for Brielle to become her daughter–in–law.

Lillian felt a lump in her chest. As she stared at Max, surrounded by admirers, determination. shined in her eyes.

Everyone looked down on her, laughing at her, but just wait. Once she climbed her way to Max, she’d serve up a harsh reality check to those who dared to ridicule her.

They thought she couldn’t live without Spencer? Ha, she’d been wanting to kick that man to the curb!

Lillian bit her lip so hard it started to bleed.

She heard Brielle’s indifferent voice, “You don’t need to update me on the details. Just follow the procedures.”

It seemed as if she hadn’t taken Lillian seriously at all, making the earlier scene where Lillian. went to great lengths during the first half of the banquet look like a clownish act.

Brielle glanced around; everyone’s expressions were subtle, and the place was in disarray.

The banquet had come to an end at this point.

15:11 Brielle chuckled softly, not forgetting to bid farewell to Miranda, “Ms. Miranda, I shall take my leave.”

Miranda fainted from sheer anger, while Robert busied himself with ushering the quests out, watching Brielle leave triumphantly, his resentful gaze as if it could pierce her spine.

After tonight, it wasn’t just Lillian; the entire Haywood clan would become a laughingstock.

The guests whispered among themselves, and even as they walked out, they couldn’t resist looking back to enjoy the Haywoods‘ dismay.

How ridiculous, the belle of the ball taken away to the police station.

The Haywoods had nailed themselves to the pillar of shame.

Brielle left without hesitation, her mission for the evening accomplished.

First, she cut ties with the Haywood clan.

Second, she annulled her engagement to Spencer.

She was feeling good, slowing her pace to admire the floral walls arranged by the Haywoods.

If the Haywoods knew her thoughts, the fainted Miranda might just wake up again.

Brielle had just passed the last floral wall when she saw a man standing there.

It was Max.

He too had left the hall, and, by chance, their paths were the same.

Brielle found it amusing and quickened her pace to join him.

Before she could speak, Max commented, “You really stole the show tonight.”

Brielle smiled, and she couldn’t resist wrapping her arms around his neck, “Glad I didn’t embarrass you, Mr. Dorsey.”

Max looked down, his fingers gently pinching her chin.

He couldn’t help but recall her verbal sparring in the hall. She was quite endearing.

The temperature on Brielle’s cheeks began to rise as she felt that even the most vibrant flowers couldn’t compare to the faint smile in his eyes.

She never knew a man could be so bewitching.

She wanted to kiss him.

Brielle tiptoed, her lips about to touch his, when footsteps sounded behind her.

“Brielle, stop right there!”

It was Spencer, unexpectedly coming after her.

Brielle’s heart raced, trying to pull away, b ut Max wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close and sheltering her behind the floral wall.

“He’s already your ex–fiancé. Are you still afraid of being seen?”

His tone was teasing, almost wicked.

Brielle’s heart fluttered, and before she could react, his lips captured hers, nibbling precisely at her lip, his hand firmly on her waist.

Brielle’s mind exploded, the floral wall before her eyes turning into dazzling fireworks.

What on earth was Max thinking?

Her reason told her Spencer’s footsteps were near, that this was the moment to push him. away, b ut in reality, her hands slid across his abdomen, embracing his waist involuntarily.

She couldn’t resist Max and the intoxicating ambiguity he offered, even if such ambiguity was toxic.

His kiss deepened, the heat of his palm nearly scorching her.

Spencer’s footsteps were just inches away. Brielle even closed her eyes, thinking maybe they’d all gone mad tonight.