Chapter 228

Andrew felt a pang in his chest. Aubree was also a woman he kept. Although he was known for his generosity, the idea of buying real estate was still a bridge too far.

“So, I heard from Kenzo that you bought that house?” he asked.

“Is there a problem?” Max’s reply was nonchalant, but his next words nearly sent Andrew through the roof. “Money is just a series of numbers to me. If she likes it, then it’s hers.”

Andrew tightly gripped the wine glass, even considering raising his hand to test Max’s forehead to see if he had a fever. Was this guy for real? Did he not realize how absurd he sounded? Was this the same Max he knew?

Andrew felt a tightness in his chest, but the thought of Brielle deliberately provoking Tessa made it hard for him to swallow his pride. Even if Max wanted to protect someone, he thought. Brielle should first get a taste of hardship with the Rowlands. He could always play dumb about it later. So, he took a sip of his drink and decided not to tell Max that Brielle had been taken to the Rowlands.

Instead, he sent a message their way: [Mess with her if you must, but leave her breathing.]

But just because he didn’t spill the beans didn’t mean no one else would.

Across town in the lobby of the Dorsey Hotel, Mason watched with an icy gaze as Tiffanie approached him again and again. “Brielle just made Tessa pass out in anger. The Rowlands are going to come after her, and since you’re her friend, you should probably do something about it, right?”

Tiffanie’s smile froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Tessa?! Oh no.”

She had warned Brielle before: of all the ladies in Beaconsfield, Alivia and Tessa were the ones to steer clear of.

Seeing Tiffanie’s reaction, Mason knew she was aware of who Tessa was and the consequences of crossing her. “Yeah, that’s right. Tessa, out cold thanks to Brielle.”

Tiffanie, sweating bullets, seized the opportunity to grab Mason’s wrist, while frantically dialing. Max on her phone. Everybody knew Tessa was the Rowlands‘ darling. If something truly went wrong, Brielle wouldn’t have enough lives to pay the debt. With the Rowlands‘ reputation, would they let her off the hook?

Every second waiting for the call to connect was torture for Tiffanie. When there was no answer, she quickly called Brielle to make sure she was safe, but Brielle’s phone went straight to voicemail.

A bad feeling creeping in, Tiffanie dialed Max again, desperation in her taps.

Max, meanwhile, was still at the Kenzo residence, noticing it was getting late and thinking about heading home. But Kenzo stopped him, suggesting they talk on the terrace.

Max had already ditched his suit jacket, leaving it with his phone on the sofa, and followed Kenzo outside.

Kenzo, sleeve rolled up to reveal a pale, delicate wrist, handed Max a cigarette. They rarely smoked, but neither would decline the occasional drag.

Max lit up, his expression indifferent. “What’s on your mind?”

Kenzo, with a wry smile, knew that to Max, his engagement with Alivia was only a business. merger.

But to Alivia, it was her heart’s desire. She considered Max her possession, and anyone who tried to get in the way would pay a price.

Kenzo’s gaze drifted through the glass doors to where Andrew was tampering with Max’s. phone. He considered warning Max but held his tongue.

Unaware of the unfolding drama, Max took a drag. “If I decide on who I want, I’ll make it clear to Alivia.”

“And how will you decide?” Kenzo asked. How could a man who didn’t know love understand about this intangible concept?

A flicker of frustration crossed Max’s face. He could negotiate business deals, trade currencies with ease, but understanding his feelings for a woman was uncharted territory.

Inside, Andrew had already answered the phone, Tiffanie’s voice coming through urgently.

“Maxie, you need to call Brielle. I can’t get through to her, and I heard she’s made Tessa pass out. If it’s true, the Rowlands won’t let it slide, and that jerk Andrew won’t either. You have to do something–fast.”

Andrew, that jerk? Was that what Tiffanie called him behind his back?