Chapter 29

Patrick froze in place, his mind racing to catch up with the unfolding situation. If it had been anyone else, they probably would have seamed by now.

Max had been a paragon of restraint for years, never seen in close proximity with any woman Emotions that came naturally to most seemed absent in him, which was why Patrick was so astounded the first time he visited Brielle’s apartment. He had prepared himself mentally all the way there, just to make sure he didn’t gawk at Brielle the moment she opened the door.

Now Max was asking for Brielle’s file again, and this was the first time he’d shown interest in someone outside of a business partner.

“Here’s Ms. Brielle’s file. She’s quite exceptional in her capabilities.” Patrick added the last bit on impulse, but Max’s expression remained unfazed.

Could it be that he’d guessed wrong? That Max wasn’t particularly interested in Brielle?

Max scanned the documents with a placid look, his eyebrows lifting slightly when he saw her academic accomplishments. And she’d maintained her leading position throughout her time at Beaconsfield College, graduating at the top of her class. Afterward, she went straight to Dorsey International.

Max’s eyebrows arched again at the sight of her 50K monthly salary.

A top student from Beaconsfield College, with so many cases under her belt, was only making a 50K monthly salary at Dorsey International?

Patrick had apparently noticed that as well. “I don’t know if it’s Spencer’s but Ms. Brielle’s salary has always been at that figure.

Graduates of Beaconsfield College typically started at top firms with salarie of thousands of dollars, Brielle’s paycheck was indeed modest in comparison Faith’s doing.

Could Brielle really tolerate that?

Faith’s, Thinking about the person who showed a mix of submission and sharpness before flicker of amusement crossed Max’s eyes. “Does she have a weakness that Faith is exploiting?”

“I’ve wondered about that myself, so I did some digging and found there’s a connection with the Sunflower Children’s Home. Ms. Brielle grew up there until she was ten, and that property should have been auctioned off again after the government’s deadline expired. Faith, however, pulled some strings and got the deadline extended by another five years.”

Patrick’s report was thorough, including a detailed analysis of the Sunflower Children’s Home.

Developers had been vying to turn the property into an amusement park three years ago when the deadline approached, and the government had even considered opening it up for bidding, but the issue was quietly dropped, Max flipped through the pages nonchalantly, musing over Brielle’s acceptance of the director position, a slight smile forming on his lips.

“By becoming director, she’s crossing Faith. If Faith is holding this over her, how can Brielle dare return to Dorsey International?”

Patrick’s checks flushed a hint of red, and he cleared his throat subtly, “Perhaps that’s why Ms. Brielle chose you.”

Max understood instantly. From the moment their relationship escalated beyond professional, Brielle had this angle in mind.

“Moreover, Ms. Brielle was smart to get Faith to agree to a five-year delay. They must have. signed a contract, so even if they fall out now, Faith can’t touch the Sunflower Children’s Home for at least that period. As for what comes after, Ms. Brielle hasn’t made any demands of you yet. Maybe once the relationship ends, she’ll naturally bring it up.

Patrick’s voice was very serious, and when he spoke, he didn’t hold back. He was confident that Max wasn’t lost in a fool’s paradise and had probably been aware of Brielle’s ulterior motives since the moment he woke up in her apartment for the first time.

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