Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Brielle felt like she was trapped in an endless dream. One moment she was with her kids, the next she was surrounded by flames.

Then she heard Max's voice.

"If I can't be with you, I hope your life is safe and smooth."

It had to be a lie. It just had to be. As long as she kept her eyes shut, everything would stay a dream. But she kept hearing voices calling her name-Aubree, her brother Dustin, Ramey.

She was so tired, so very tired, and she really didn't want to wake up.

Dustin was at her bedside, watching as evening approached, his patience running thin. He even started to wonder if Brielle would spend her life in a vegetative state.

He turned to Ramey. "Is hypnosis an option? Can she handle the truth about losing Max when she wakes up?"

If Max hadn't sacrificed himself to save her, she might have found the strength to keep going. But Max did it for her. Knowing Brielle, waking up probably wouldn't change much; she'd just drift through her days, lost in a haze. Ramey's face was grim too. It was hard to believe Mr. Dorsey was gone. Mr. Dorsey had just fiercely acquired Dorsey International, giving the public a slap in the face. How could he be gone so suddenly?

"Mr. Lynch, I can only try hypnosis when the patient is conscious. Right now, Ms. Brielle's mental state is extremely fragile. If I force it, it will only add to her burden. I need to wait until she's more stable before trying to hypnotize her." Which meant, inevitably, Brielle would wake up to the news of Max's death. Dustin felt agitated, his eyes reddening with the strain. But he was powerless, damned powerless.

He had thought that once the Lynch family business was wrapped up, and he got her back home on that plane, declaring her the most revered princess, everything would be fine. But disaster struck instead. He bad entrusted the Beaconsfield folks to take care of her; how could they let their guard down?

He was consumed with guilt, especially seeing his sister lying in that hospital bed. He regretted not meeting her that night, regretted his many hesitations, regretted not bringing her back to North America.

As everyone sat in tense silence, a group walked in from outside the ones investigating the manor.

"Mr. Lynch, we've looked into it. The manor was a property left by the older generation of Dorsey International, and it's been neglected for years. If you want to know the cause of the fire, you should probably talk to Michael."

Michael was still at the old Dorsey family estate, which was nearly as desolate as Antonio's demise had left it. With Dorsey International now acquired and Antonio having no heirs, those shares inevitably ended up back with Michael. Money wasn't an issue for Michael now, but power was.

Dustin couldn't stand it any longer.

He dashed off to the old Dorsey family estate. Aubree and the others, worried he might shoot the old man in a fit of rage, quickly followed. As vile as Michael was, showing up with a gun and killing him in cold blood in legal trouble. That's just how the law

would certainly land DuBlood

works back home.

Dustin shoved open the door where Michael was being held, only to find him engrossed in a TV report about the wildfire that had ravaged the Dorsey family's property. But only Michael knew the truth-that it wasn't just a manor, but a tomb prepared by the older generation for their enemies.

He had shared this secret with Antonio, but considering the boy's timid and unhinged nature, it seemed unlikely he would go to such lengths. What could have pushed Antonio over the edge? Michael had no idea, and he was eager to find out who perished in the fire. Was Max among the dead?

As for Antonio's fate, Michael genuinely didn't care. The man was just a brainwashed fool; alive or dead, his presence hardly mattered to the Dorsey legacy.

The door swung open and in walked Dustin. Michael recognized Dustin, the hotshot heir to the Infinity Brilliance diamond empire, who had taken over the company's operations at a young age and made waves in the industry. Among the younger generation, aside from Max, Dustin was the man to watch.

But Dustin operated mainly in North

America, and since diamonds didn't clash with Dorsey International's business, there hadn't been any dealings

Between them. Michaelet

only knew of him by name. Now, Michael didn't look distressed; in fact, he seemed almost serene. However, when Dustin stepped through the door, he couldn't hide his surprise.