Chapter 448

She composed herself and slipped out of the men’s restroom quietly.

Reaching the top floor lobby, she caught sight of Spencer, the man she had just hooked up with. After their heated moment, he was impeccably dressed and engaged in conversation with the company’s executives.

A wave of pride washed over Sydney. Had she known she’d be left feeling this satisfied, she would’ve been more cooperative when things initially got heated. A smirk played on her lips. Just as she was about to head down the corridor toward the elevator, the private lift doors slid open, and Max stepped out.

Startled, Sydney dropped her gaze and attempted to make a discreet exit, but Max spoke up. “Are you Brielle’s assistant?”

Her body stiffened, a flush of excitement coloring her face. Was the CEO actually speaking to her directly?

Just a few days ago, Spencer had instructed her to delay Max, to keep him from leaving the office.

Despite her efforts, Max hadn’t so much as glanced her way. Back then, she felt like the unattainable was just that–unattainable. But now, Max was initiating conversation.

Up close, his features were even more striking, and Sydney had to pinch herself to stay composed.

“Yes, Mr. Dorsey, Ms. Haywood promoted me as her assistant just a few days ago.”

“Follow me,” he said curtly, leading the way to his office.

Sydney’s cheeks glowed with excitement, and she felt the weight of everyone’s gazes on her as if she had become the star of the executive floor.

Walking beside someone so dazzling seemed to also cast a glow on her.

Internally gloating, Sydney hurried to keep up. As she approached the CEO’s office, she felt Spencer’s eyes on her.

Her smugness deepened. After their previous encounters, Spencer had hardly acknowledged her, but now he was watching her every move. Could it be that he was having trouble letting go?

As she was about to enter the CEO’s office, she wondered what Max would say. Perhaps his intentions mirrored Spencer’s–maybe he desired her too.

The thought sent a thrilling heat through her. She fancied the notion that the Dorsey men might’ve been vying for her attention, and were jealous over her.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she stepped into the office.

Max was already seated. His presence was so commanding that it seemed to slow time and space itself. The sunlight filtered in, illuminating his desk and accentuating his untouchable aura, For a moment, Sydney wanted to surrender, even be conquered.

But Max’s gaze didn’t linger on her. She was nothing more than an extra plece in the room to him.

“What would you have me do, Mr. Dorsey?” she asked, her voice quivering with a hint of seduction.

Max, impervious to the advances of women, didn’t pick up on her intent.

The rejection stung Sydney. Being ignored when trying to seduce someone was humiliating.

He slid a file across the desk to her. “Brielle should be back soon. Give her this document.”

Sydney blinked. Handing over a document seemed below the CEO’s pay grade. Her cheeks flushed with excitement, Perhaps this was just an excuse to talk to her more. Her voice shook. “Of course, of course. I’ll make sure Ms. Haywood gets it.”

But Max’s next question knocked her from cloud nine straight to the depths of despair. “Has. Brielle been upset these past few days?”

Max had been in touch with Brielle but hadn’t seen her. He realized that no TV show could upset her to this extent. Brielle was usually so composed. The only explanation was that she was still angry with him.

Standing before his desk, Sydney’s smugness evaporated at his words. The sparkle in her eyes was extinguished as if doused with cold water.

He had called her in not for her sake or even for the document but because of Brielle.

Because of that bitch Brielle!

Sydney’s grip tightened on the file, nearly crumpling it. She wanted to scream, to lash out. Why did everyone only see her because of Brielle? When had she become nothing more than Brielle’s shadow?

Why?