Chapter 72

Love not only brought bitterness but also pain. It made one lose oneself, become weak, and never be able to harden their heart again.

“Crack.” Brielle popped open a can tab, placing a Coke in front of her.

Aubree stubbed out her cigarette, unable to resist taking several large gulps, “Besides, the Dorsey family has Michael keeping watch.”

Aubree seemed especially concerned that Brielle would lose her head, especially since she’d already taken a fall for Spencer.

But Spencer, what was he anyway? Nothing but a rain puddle, easily filled and forgotten.

Aubree was about to add more when she noticed Brielle had already piled up a bunch of files, seriously sorting through work documents. Her genuine concern seemed laughably out of place at this sight, but then she thought again and couldn’t help but give a thumbs up.

“There you go! That’s the spirit. Keep it up. You got an orgasm and you got a promotion to boot. Hell, I’d have taken a few more nights with him myself.”

Brielle found it amusing, but the thought of the watch Andrew had snapped up made her smile fade slightly. She knew how much Aubree was hurting. After pining for Andrew for so many years, her heart must have bruised.

Aubree stood up, casually placing a gift box on the table. “Someone’s just finished delivering a gift to their sweetheart and must be feeling lonely. I’ve got to go.” Her tone was indifferent as if it didn’t matter at all. “This is my apology gift to you, I shouldn’t have kept Andrew’s thing from you, and congrats on the promotion, take it.”

Brielle was about to refuse when she caught a look from Aubree.

“After all, if someone’s willing to give a multimillion–dollar watch, why would they care about a little cash?” She spoke nonchalantly, but Brielle still detected a deep, hidden self–loathing. Once Aubree had left, she opened the gift box. It was a practical necklace, perfect for everyday wear. After a moment’s thought, she carefully placed the necklace in the drawer. Returning to her computer desk, she saw new emails, mostly from her department. After dealing with a few, she leaned back on the couch, feeling waves of darkness before her eyes.

༩༠༠ ༤༠ འཅ རཾ ཝཿའྀ Aubree’s words were hard to ignore, and she was aware she was losing control. She had to do something to distract herself.

Her mind flashed to the boy she’d seen at the banquet who had mentioned the Beaconsfield College forum. Brielle took a deep breath and belatedly clicked on the Beaconsfield College forum. Most of the posts were about her.

Three years after graduation, and four years in college, yet the first posts to defame her dated back seven years. For seven years, the slander about her had never stopped.

Brielle didn’t have to think hard to know whose handiwork it was. Lillian was an expert at this, leaving herself spotless, the picture of innocence Brielle felt sick just remembering how she had doted on Lillian like a sister, too afraid of crushing her self–esteem to tell anyone Lillian wasn’t really the Haywood family’s daughter.

Brielle put down the mouse, also recalling how she had been sent to learn Taekwondo because Lillian was so delicate and easily bullied, Miranda had said–Lillian is frail and an easy target, you learn Taekwondo, and you can protect her alongside your brother.

Brielle agreed, feeling responsible for Lillian’s future since she had brought her from the orphanage.

However, 15:06 while she was sweating in the dojo, Lillian was smartly climbing into Spencer’s bed.

She couldn’t afford to dwell on these thoughts; they were too upsetting. At least she had stopped obsessing over Max and was now planning how to deal with Lillian.

To defeat someone, you have to destroy what they cherish most. Lillian cared about money, status, and men. But Brielle cared for none of these. She only wanted her career.

Especially after that auction, she yearned to stand at the pinnacle and look down. She and Lillian were not on the same path.