Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

In the grand hall, Dustin's sudden outburst had created an atmosphere thick with tension. But then, as everyone watched Dustin's face softening when he looked at Brielle, it felt like a breath of fresh spring air had just blown in.

"You're still getting used to these events, so make sure no one messes with you, alright? And this dress... too many people in white tonight. I searched everywhere and couldn't find you. Next time, skip the sequins. Just wear a massive diamond tiara so I can spot you right away!" Dustin said with a warm smile. Brielle thought to herself that it was a bit over the top. He was treating her like she was made of the most delicate glass, afraid she'd shatter with a touch or dissolve in his mouth.

Dustin, doting brother extraordinaire!

The crowd was stunned. Sure, Dustin had always been affectionate with the women around him, but the way he fussed over Brielle was next level.

With other women, it was about respect. Dustin had his fair share of romances, but none of his exes ever ran to the media to expose him, nor did they vent on social media. Instead, a few exes seemed to post wistful updates online, perhaps hoping to catch his attention. But once Dustin moved on, he never looked back.

With the others, he maintained control. But with Brielle, he softened completely. It was like her joys and sorrows were his own. Anyone who messed with Brielle had it worse than if they'd crossed him.

Initially, Dustin had planned to keep Brielle's true identity a secret because of her fragile state. The last thing he needed was for people to target her during a vulnerable moment. He couldn't bear the thought of Brielle facing danger again. Even though the Lynch family was powerful, there were always cracks in even the strongest defenses.

Take Max Dorsey, for example. Wasn't he a force to be reckoned with? Yet, in the end, he lost everything.

Given the current situation, if Dustin didn't show his affection for Brielle publicly, rumors of discord could spread among the North American elite. This could lead people trying to curry favor with him to target Brielle. So, he decided to go public.

Brielle felt a warmth in her heart, understanding Dustin's intentions. She felt cherished by the Lynch family, but at the same time, experienced a profound sense of loss. This was what she had always longed for, but she never imagined that gaining it would mean losing Max.

Her spirit dampened, especially after an unpleasant encounter with Alivia, and she no longer wanted to stay. Though Aubree Clements and Keiran hadn't arrived yet, Brielle felt an urge to leave. There would be other opportunities to meet.

Just as she was about to tell Dustin, a flurry of welkwishers surrounded them, likely offering congratulations to the Lynch family. Concerned for his grandmother, who wasn't used to such events and had attended in secrecy, Dustin decided to escort her home first, asking Brielle to wait for him. Dustin still had people to meet and friends he wanted to

introduce to Brielle, so she

obediently stayed behind.

Now that her identity was revealed, curiosity surrounded her, but with Dustin's evident adoration, no one dared to approach, opting instead to watch from a distance. Brielle enjoyed a moment of respite, retreating to a corner. But then, snippets of conversations in English caught her attention.

"Did you hear? Someone significant is supposed to arrive tonight, someone from the Dorsey family?"

"Which Dorsey family?"

"Back when the older generation of the Lynch family first came to North America, they were accompanied by someone with the last name Ho. They were brothers, planning to buy a mountain together. But in the end, only the Lynch family got the permit, dominating the diamond trade for years. The Ho family vanished, rumored to have gone into the oil business."

"Oh, that story, I've heard the elders

speak of it. The Ho family didn't just

miss out on wealth; there was also a

woman involved who ended up

a man from the Lynch family,

with

eventually marrying into it. But that's ancient history, from our

great-grandfathers' time, right?"

"Exactly. But now, the top oil magnate in Saudi Arabia carries the Ho surname. An hour ago, news broke. You know how secretive these oil traders are, always using codenames. What was it? King?" Brielle wasn't particularly interested in century-old gossip, but overhearing the codename made her frown. Was it a coincidence?

The gossip continued.

"If King is a descendant of that Ho family, then there's bad blood with the Lynch family. First, a betrayal over the mountain deal, then taking the man's woman."

"The true story is anybody's guess. Anyway, it seems he's come to North America, likely looking to establish himself here."