Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Hearing that Max was about to face jail time, Antonio could barely contain his excitement.

"Grandpa, are you absolutely sure about this?"

Michael picked a black piece from the chessboard, his face a blank canvas.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

With a flick, he tossed it into the trash. "He's led the Dorsey family well over the years, only to be undone by a woman. I need him to understand that without the Dorsey family, he's nothing. Maybe even Brielle will leave him. I'll make sure he regrets it." Michael was fuming. His greatest creation was ruined, turned into a worthless pawn. And since Max wouldn't listen to him anymore, Michael was ready to play dirty.

No more of that drug for Max. He wanted to see what kind of mess Max would become without it next month.

Or did Max think he could fix everything within a month?

Impossible. Even if he were a genius, without the Dorsey family, he'd be helpless in Beaconsfield.

With that realization, Michael's mind settled, and he focused back on the game.

"Ashton, when Max falls, I'll transfer the shares to you, but you'll need to sign an agreement with me."

To be blunt, everyone was just a tool to him; he trusted no one.

Once the agreement was signed, Michael could reclaim Dorsey International whenever he wanted, just like he was using Max as a tool now.

Before he died, he was determined to see Dorsey International at its peak.

And after he passed, his will would ensure that all of Max's shares went to his true heirs, reducing Max to a mere servant for the Dorsey family. That was Michael's grand plan.

If it hadn't been for Brielle throwing a wrench in his plans, Michael's will would have surfaced a decade later, transferring all of Dorsey International's shares to the most promising Dorsey family member, as chosen by the law firm he had already appointed. Max's true identity would be revealed then, and he'd lose everything related to the Dorsey family.

So, no matter what, Max's secret was always going to come out. It was just happening sooner than expected.

Antonio, realizing he was just a

pawn when the agreement came up, was glad he'd already decided to work with Mr. Smith. With a little

inside and outside help, he was sure he could take over everything

betonging to the Dorsey family.

He wouldn't be as foolish as Uncle Max, who had worked for the family for so many years.

Pride lit up Antonio's face, and he couldn't help but think of Alivia.

Back when he pursued Alivia and she mocked him with Max, she could never have imagined that Max had never truly entered the Dorsey family's inner circle.

Max's bloodline was unclear, and no one would acknowledge him.

Unable to hide his excitement, Antonio said goodbye to the old man and hurried over to Dorsey International. William had been overseeing Dorsey International these past few days, directing his lawyers to sue Max.

In William's mind, Dorsey International was practically his already.

Seeing Antonio arrive, William's face lit up with anticipation.

"So, what did your grandfather say?"

"Grandpa won't interfere with your lawsuit against Uncle Max."

Hearing this, William's excitement was palpable, his face breaking into a grin as he summoned his lawyers.

"I'm not just going to sue Max; I want

the media to broadcast this scandal.

I want Max to lose this lawsuit in

front of everyone and then go straight to jail."

William was so eager that he immediately had Dorsey International's official channels release the news of the impending lawsuit against Max.

The announcement sent shockwaves through the media, reigniting a firestorm of public opinion.