Chapter 449

Max didn’t catch her reply, his gaze lifting to meet hers for a brief moment. Sydney felt pinned in place by that look, her heart racing with fear that her thoughts might betray her. She quickly dropped her gaze. “Ms. Haywood isn’t in the best of spirits.”

She really wanted to say that Brielle’s health wasn’t great either, but Spencer had been clear – not a single detail about that day was to be shared with Max.

It took a while before Max broke the silence, choosing his words carefully. “When she gets back, casually ask her whether she prefers movies or shopping.”

He’d been trying to get Brielle to go out with him for days, but she always had an excuse. He didn’t know Brielle well enough yet, and with her being upset, she’d dodge the question even if he asked her directly. It was better to have her assistant suss it out so he could catch her off guard with a pleasant surprise next time. Plus, the outdoor BBQ that Boat Ink mentioned was coming up soon.

Sydney’s face twisted at his words. The unreachable deity of her heart was now asking her about the likes and dislikes of an ordinary woman–how ludicrous.

She took a deep breath, her hands clenched tight. So, all the jealousy over her had been a farce. Both men were only showing her attention because of Brielle.

With Spencer, Sydney could understand; they had a history as fiancés.

But Max? What was his reason?

Sydney couldn’t figure it out. It must’ve been Brielle’s face then. As much as she hated to admit it, Brielle had a striking face–aloof and distant when silent. Her usual style was clean and efficient, the kind of look that men probably fantasized about in bed. No wonder Brielle had so many men concerned for her, even Mr. Noah…

Realizing this, Sydney was more than unhappy–she felt resentful.

“Sure, I’ll ask Ms. Haywood once she’s back.” Sydney could taste the bitterness in her voice as she spoke. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Max, noticing how the frosty man softened at the mention of Brielle. He liked Brielle, liked her enough to want to know her preferences.

Sydney felt the sting of pain. No woman liked to be compared, especially not when it came to allure.

“Yeah, you can go now.” Max reverted to his usual indifference as he spoke to her.

Sydney, though resentful, didn’t dare to overstep in front of Max. She left the office as if in a daze, stepping into the elevator just as another person squeezed in.

“Did Uncle Max ask you about Brielle? What did you tell him?” Spencer’s tone there was an edge of caution, as if afraid she would slip up.

e was mild, yet Sydney had been holding back her emotions, but hearing Brielle’s name again made her explode. “Brielle! Brielle! All you people ever think about is Brielle! Am I invisible to you?!” After her outburst, she seemed to regain some composure, her face turning pale.

Spencer snorted coldly. “Why would you even compare yourself to her? Don’t you have any sense of reality?”

Sydney’s shame turned her from pale to red.

When the elevator reached her floor and the doors opened with a ‘ding,’ she saw Brielle standing not far from the entrance.

Sydney and Spencer both froze, especially Spencer, whose reaction was intense. He immediately forgot Sydney’s presence and strode toward Brielle with purpose.