Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Alivia was sobbing uncontrollably, her lips bleeding from biting them so hard in frustration.

It was her own fault. She should have known better than to mess with Brielle, who had a reputation for her mean right hook. In her anger, she had made a spectacle of herself.

Her eyes darted to Dustin, praying he'd come to her aid. After all, they had been acquaintances for some time, and she was sure he wasn't close with Brielle. Finally, Dustin stood up and walked over.

Alivia reached out, expecting him to lift her to her feet.

But Dustin did nothing of the sort. Instead, he simply grabbed Brielle's wrist.

"If you keep this up, the bouncers will be all over us in a minute," he warned.

Right on cue, the manager of Tequila Sunset barreled through the door. Dustin pulled Brielle behind him and offered a sheepish smile.

"Ms. Alivia's had a bit too much to drink. Let's help her out, shall we?"Content is © by NôvelDrama.Org.

The staff at Tequila Sunset knew Dustin well-his generous tipping meant that the manager hurried over to assist Alivia with utmost politeness.

"Ms. Alivia, are you alright?"

Alivia's face was a map of red handprints, and she stared at Dustin in disbelief.

He gave her a small smile. "As for the new appointment at the institute, the government will decide. I'd rather not get too involved. It's no use coming to me, Ms. Alivia." Biting her lip so hard it might bleed again, Alivia glared hatefully at Brielle.

She had underestimated Brielle, who seemed to have some sort of connection with Dustin.

The word 'traitor' seemed too mild for what she felt.

Each breath was agony as she was helped to her feet.

Patrons of the bar quickly recognized her.

"Isn't that Alivia? Who on earth slapped her like that?"

"She must be one of Max's admirers, right? She went too far this time."

"Tsk, who would've thought Alivia would be brought low like this? I heard Mark got demoted too."

"Don't be too harsh. The Riddle family hasn't said a word yet. Everyone knows he has a soft spot for Alivia. Maybe he's just waiting for the chance to play the hero."

Shivering with humiliation and barely able to stand, Alivia's tears flowed freely. As she left Tequila Sunset, she leaned against a nearby tree for support and spat out a mouthful of blood. She was consumed by hate.

Quickly donning her hat and mask, she was desperate not to be recognized and become the butt of the town's jokes.

Perched on a two-meter wall, a woman was casually chewing gum, watching Alivia's misery unfold with a hint of schadenfreude in her voice.

"Ms. Alivia, trying to snag Dustin?

Don't you know? Dustin might be a

player, but the women he beds aren't just any street corner finds. Ninety-nine percent of them are devoted to him, like concubines palace waiting for his favor. He rarely invites trouble for himself; he only beds those he can dismiss with cash. For those he can't, he doesn't give them the time of day. You might as well wear a sign with your intentions-no way he'd go for someone as transparent as you."

"Who are you calling a street corner find? Me?"

She was Alivia, for heaven's sake. Men lined up just to be seen with her in the social circles of Beaconsfield. Dustin's disinterest was simply due to his lack of courage.

Annie just laughed and hopped off

the wall. "This is why I can't stand dealing with you. You've been pampered since birth and think the world revolves around you. Losing to Brielle is fitting, really. Brielle has clawed her way up from nothing-throw a rock at her head and she'll still climb higher. But you? You can't handle the climb."

Annie patted Alivia's swollen cheek. "Drop the princess act, Ms. Alivia. No one in our circle wants to marry you now. They're all laughing at you."

"Annie! I hired you to take out Brielle, and you failed. What right do you have to mock me? Some organization you are-I bet you and your backers are all useless!" Annie's eyes darkened, and with a swift kick, she knocked Alivia to the ground.

Alivia struggled, but it was futile.

Annie stepped on her face, and the pain brought fresh tears.

"Murray's dead, killed by Brielle. I'll keep going after her, but you better not act all high and mighty with me. Right now, you're nothing."

The malice in Annie's eyes was clear

as day; she was a hair's breadth

away from crushing Alivia's face beneath her boot. But she restrained herself, sneering, “Alivia, you're not completely out of options. Better cozy up to your Jaired. Though, that man gives me the creeps. Good luck with that."

After Annie left, Alivia lay there for what felt like an eternity, drowning in humiliation. Finally, she got up and called Jaired.

She couldn't take it anymore. Brielle had to pay!

It was all Brielle's fault she was in ruins. Even if it cost her everything, Alivia would make Brielle regret ever crossing her.