Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Brodie rested his hands on the arms of his wheelchair.

"I heard she's not going to be able to keep the baby."

"Yeah, someone fed her birth control pills for three years without her knowing."

Brodie didn't need to be told; he knew this had Michael's fingerprints all over it. His father was a master of dirty tricks. Otherwise, Max wouldn't have ended up addicted to drugs.

"If you want Dorsey International, Brodie, I can make it yours."

Brodie glanced down at his legs, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.

"You don't really think what happened to my legs is your fault, do you?"

Max's eyes were calm as he briefly met Brodie's gaze before looking away.

"If he hadn't been trying to force my hand, your legs would still be fine."

There was a cause-and-effect here, and it was true that Brodie, once the golden boy, had been dragged down by him. If anyone was to blame, it was Michael for being so ruthless. Michael valued financial wizards, and Brodie, who was all about pharmaceutical research, even with his early success, was just a nice addition to the Dorsey family, not the leader who would take them to new heights. So, Brodie was quickly discarded.

Brodie fell silent, his eyes drifting to the table. After a moment, he cracked a smile.

"Max, you're stronger than me."

When Brodie's accident left him in a wheelchair, he spiraled into despair, and that drove his girlfriend away. She had promised to stand by him as they climbed out of that low point together. But he couldn't handle the blow and kept lashing out at her, pushing her away. Brodie had resented Max, just as he said, there was indeed a causal link. But in truth, it was Michael who was to blame, yet Brodie couldn't muster any hatred. It wasn't that he was saintly, but after hiding away for so many years, his initial rage had faded. Even if Michael were to shoot him again now, all Brodie would feel was a sense of powerlessness. Unless he could turn back time and change everything, hatred had no purpose.

Max was stronger; he knew how to protect those who needed it.

"Max, I advise you not to burn bridges with our father. It's pointless now. Do whatever you want; I really don't care anymore."RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

Even though Michael still had leverage over Max, Brodie was certain Max would prevail. Max was always unflappable, no matter the situation. If it weren't for his father's cruelty toward Brielle, Max probably wouldn't have taken on the Dorsey family. Brodie sighed, finally revealing the real reason for his visit.

"At least, let the others in the Dorsey family live."

If Max were to strike in a rage for his beloved, most of the Dorsey family wouldn't survive. But as soon as Brodie said those words, he felt a deep sense of guilt toward Max. anyone in the Dorsey family had heart, it was Max. Or rather, he was the one least inclined to delve into the fate of the other Dorseys. Even without his urging, Max would not cause too much bloodshed within the Dorsey family. But saying it out loud seemed like he didn't trust Max enough.

"Brodie, if it weren't for you and mother, I would've left the Dorsey family a long time ago."

He stayed and ran the Dorsey family business for Brodie's sake. Years ago, when Brodie was missing, Max worried endlessly that he had died out there. Once they reconnected, Max found a new reason to stay to help Brodie develop an alternative to that drug. For a brief time, both had been a part of his life. Martha's intentions were not entirely pure, but she had been there for Max during his childhood. Among the Dorseys, the cruelest to Max had been Michael, who outwardly seemed to support him the most.

But Max was truly indifferent to it all. In others' eyes, Michael might deserve death a thousand times over, but if not for Brielle, Max would have never harbored any feelings toward Michael. That's why Michael was reluctant to let Max go. Lacking the emotions of an average person, expressions of love or hate rarely surfaced in Max, making him the perfect tool. This was also why Max seldom wiped out the Dorseys. Since becoming CEO, even the ever-troublesome Ryan and William had survived.

"Max, I'm sorry, I take back what I said."

Brodie maneuvered his wheelchair toward the door.

"I'll be watching the fate of the Dorsey family on the news."