Caught in the throes of fury against her cheating fiancé, Brielle crafted a bold plot to seduce none other than his uncle. "Is my nephew not good enough for you?" Max inquired, his fingers teasingly grazing her chin. Known throughout town as The Priest, his wrist was adorned with black rosary beads. However, after one unforgettable night, Brielle uncovered a surprising truth — this stoic man had a soft spot that was all too pleasing. Armed with her natural charm and a hint of cunning, she had the aloof Max dancing to her captivating tune. Whatever her heart desired, Max was at the ready to provide. "Oh, Max will leave her soon." "He's just playing a game. She's not here to stay." As the town of Beaconsfield eagerly awaited Brielle's fall from grace, they were oblivious to a night when Max cornered her. "Try to speak of 'divorce' one more time, Brielle." Suddenly, the man once heralded as a noble figure was caught in a humanly plight.

Chapter 1Max Dorsey never imagined he'd wake up under a woman in a woman's bed. Brielle snagged his collar and planted a wet kiss on his neck, ensuring she left a telling mark before releasing him."Morning, Uncle Max."After the greeting, she leaned in for a passionate good morning kiss on his lips.Max's hair was a tousled mess, his hawk-like eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled, his hand playfully squeezing her neck. "Brielle, you're quite bold."Taking him for a ride, she certainly was bold.His grip tightened.Brielle's face turned a deep shade of red as she flashed him a charming, breathless smile, "Life is too short, better make every moment count, right?"Max paused, a frosty glint in his eyes as he let her go and reached for his clothes."Uncle Max, where are you off to now?"His features were staggeringly attractive. Even a casual glance sent shivers down one's spine. "Off to pick out a plot for you in the cemetery. Do you prefer a sunrise or sunset view?"Brielle's pupils dilated, and she looked away sheepishly, "You're really funny, Uncle Max."Max stood nearly six-foot-three, an imposing figure with a black rosary bracelet giving him an otherworldly air. He was the Dorsey family's fifth son, commonly known as The Priest."Coffin preferences? What kind of wood do you fancy?"There was not a hint of a smile in his eyes. His wrist bones were tense, and his dark eyes, slightly lowered, were tinted with a hint of indifference.Brielle licked her lips, "Is there also a coffin? It looks like you want to preserve my whole body. Should I say thank you?"Max had never encountered such an audacious woman. A few specks of ruthlessness surged in his eyes. His long finger lifted, tilting her chin up.Her face was one of the most stunning in Beaconsfield. Describing her as breathtaking wouldn't be an exaggeration, but she was vain, pretentious, and pompous, the type of woman he despised the most."You want to remain intact?""If you are generous enough."She didn't have a flamboyant beauty, rather a delicate and soft air, her expressions softening her features just right.Max suddenly laughed, the harshness in his eyes receding, but his grip on her grew firmer. He tormented her until she winced in pain, his other hand tracing down along her waist.The cold touch of the black rosary bracelet against her skin made her tense up. He wasn't flirting; he was appraising her like an item for sale."Can't Spencer satisfy you?"Spencer was Brielle's fiancé, Max's nephew.But not for long. Spencer had been caught in bed with her best friend, and now Brielle had returned the favor with this grand gesture.What a delightful game!"What do you mean, Uncle Max? I assure you, there's nothing untoward between your nephew and me."Brielle's voice was dripping with seduction, her glossy tongue peeked out from between her lips, enchanting like a siren.Max narrowed his eyes. In Beaconsfield, countless women desired to be with him, but he had never taken them seriously. And now, his soon-to-be niece-in-law had succeeded.A dangerous aura began to envelop him."Are you sure this is what you want?""Huh?"Brielle had just enough time to let out a gasp before a wave of intense trepidation swept from her throat to her stomach, as Max pinned her back onto the bed."Mmph."His force was overwhelming, ensnaring her limbs and torso with an overpowering grasp.In the end, Brielle couldn't even summon a sound. It wasn't until the jarring ring of her cellphone that she blinked awake from the chaos.Brielle glanced at the date on her phone screen and realized she'd lost herself in another night.Outside, the rain was coming down in buckets, and the warmth wrapped around her waist tightened like vines. She reached for her phone and saw it was Spencer calling, so she hit the answer button."Hello?"The man beside her seemed to stir awake. Brielle quickly lowered her voice, "Spencer, what's up?"Her throat was so hoarse she could barely speak, so she got out of bed to pour herself a glass of water to soothe it."Where have you been these past couple of days? Lillian and I have been texting you like crazy, and you haven't responded."Brielle tied her robe and met the man's gaze as she lifted her head. He had a strong presence, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, which gave him an air of aloof coolness.A sense of relief washed over her. Sure, she was spent, but at least she'd managed to cheat on Spencer as well.What goes around comes around."Well, I didn't see them. Is there something wrong?" Brielle nonchalantly picked up the suit jacket from the floor."Uncle Max is back in town. I'm picking you up in ten minutes for a family dinner."Before Brielle could reply, Spencer hung up. Brielle raised an eyebrow and then turned to Max."Uncle Max, you are going back home?" Her tone was teasing and alluring.Just then, a knock came at the door.Was Spencer here already?She glanced at Max, searching for even a hint of guilt on his face. Nothing. He looked as casual as if he were in his own home.Brielle pointed to the bathroom and chuckled. "My fiancé's here. Mind hiding out for a bit?"Her tone was casual, but the message was clear.The voice outside was unfamiliar. "Ms. Brielle, I'm here to deliver Mr. Dorsey's clothes."Brielle opened the door to find an assistant-like figure holding a suit, greeting respectfully to her.He didn't ask much about her relationship with Max, typical of Max's people.She took the suit and handed it to Max."Quite sensible." The tone that emerged from his throat was like a brook with a hint of snow, chilly and indifferent. Despite the lingering lust in his eyes, once the suit was on, Max reverted to his usual cold and abstinent demeanor.Brielle remembered how fiercely he'd been in bed, and she mused that his moniker, 'The Priest,' was quite the misnomer. Even so, as she caught sight of the bruised nail marks on his back, her cheeks flushed without reason.After bringing him to this apartment while he was drunk, she never imagined they'd end up tangled together more than once.She thought to ease into a conversation, but her phone rang again. It was Spencer, sounding impatient. "Are you coming down?"She thought about the fact that the guest of honor at the family dinner was still here, so why rush?But Spencer had little patience for her, "The rain's heavy, and there's traffic ahead. Don't make me wait, and remember your place."His disdain was undisguised.Brielle didn't feel like arguing, so after hanging up, she kissed Max in a sort of vengeful defiance. His fingers responded by gripping the back of her neck. Spencer's car was waiting downstairs, and she reveled in the secret thrill of the moment."Brielle, be careful not to get burned when playing with fire," Max warned.Riding shotgun in Spencer's car, Brielle's mind was still replaying Max's words.Be careful not to get burned, huh?Her marriage to Spencer was an arrangement made by their families. The Dorsey family held an unrivaled position in Beaconsfield, while the Haywoods barely made the top ten. Next to the Dorseys, they were essentially small fry.Her little stunt had allowed her to let off some steam, but it also meant she'd crossed one of the most untouchable figures in the circle of the elite.The rain was pouring down, reducing visibility, and within two miles, traffic had slowed to a crawl.Spencer, already in a foul mood, frowned upon seeing her bundled up in a turtleneck, her chin almost disappearing into her collar."Is that what you're wearing?"It was early fall, hardly the season for turtlenecks. Despite Brielle's striking looks, it was a bit odd.Thinking of the love bite Max had left on her neck, the corners of her lips curled up. "Yeah, it's chilly with the rain.""Such a delicate flower," Spencer muttered, his irritation growing.Brielle's pale fingers brushed her collar. "Haven't been to the office these past two weeks?"Spencer despised her tone, as if nothing mattered to her. "It's none of your business where I go." He honked the horn twice in quick succession, feeling like sharing the confined space with Brielle was pure torture.The phone rang. It was Spencer's. From the corner of her eye, Brielle noticed the caller ID—Lillian.Unlike the impatience he showed her, Spencer's face softened immediately upon answering. "Lillian, you're up? Don't go out in this awful weather. You have a fever? How bad is it?"His voice went from joy to concern, then to panic. Brielle twirled a strand of hair in front of her, not asking further.Spencer cursed under his breath, hung up the phone, and then angrily punched the steering wheel.Brielle found his frustration amusing. If he'd gone up to her apartment just now, he would have discovered her scandalous affair with another man. However, Spencer never showed interest in her affairs, nor had he ever visited her apartment.Imagining his future reaction, Brielle's lips formed a smirk.Suddenly, Spencer yanked the car key out and, without bothering with an umbrella, stepped into the deluge."Not heading to your home?" Brielle rolled down the window and called out to his retreating figure."She's sick; I need to check on her. After all, Lillian is your friend."Brielle closed the window, her eyes brimming with sarcasm. "Then you'd better take good care of my 'friend.'"Spencer paused for a moment before disappearing into the rain.Brielle sighed. Once unfaithful, always useless. She watched the rainstorm outside and turned to find that Spencer had taken the keys with him. Her brow furrowed in annoyance.The traffic ahead began to move, but her car was stuck, quickly attracting a chorus of honks and curses.Brielle wanted to search for an umbrella, and got out the car. However, she stumbled upon several used condoms wedged in the seat's crevice. Her face turned pale, and nausea hit her.Opening the glove compartment, she found a limited edition lipstick, a gift she'd once given to Lillian. Only thirty in the world, a rare find.She chuckled, closing the compartment. She chose to ignore the blatant provocation.She stepped out of the car, soaked through by the rain, only to watch helplessly as a traffic cop directed her car to be towed away.Standing amidst the bustling downpour with nowhere to hide, she wiped the rain from her face and was about to make her way to the sidewalk when a black Bentley pulled up beside her.The Bentley’s license plate bore a conspicuous series of 1, and a small flag next to it. That flag signified that the car could freely enter any place, even military no-go zones.She raised an eyebrow and slipped into the car. "Uncle Max, what a coincidence."Max barely glanced at her before looking away, his fingers idly playing with the black rosary on his wrist. "Did my nephew dump you?"So much for The Priest, she thought. Brielle found Max to be more of a devil than a cleric, always keen to jab where it hurt."Uncle Max, I took good care of you in bed last night, didn't I? Why do you act like you don't know me now?"She laughed charmingly, and there was a captivating charm in her eyes as they lightly swept across him. Her words bore no trace of the humiliation or frustration of being abandoned.Patrick, in the front seat, quietly put up the privacy screen, unwilling to listen to any more from the backseat."Not bad at taking care of me?" Max repeated her words, then lazily swept his gaze over her. "You were like a dead fish, all noise, no action. What's so good about that?"Brielle clenched her jaw, forcing a smile. "Sorry that you had to fuck a 'dead fish' so hard. I almost thought you've never seen a woman before."Retaliating with sarcasm, her smiling lips pressed together, appearing somewhat pitiful.She leaned to get out of the car but was roughly pulled back by a strong grip. Max's fingers settled on her wrist, pinning her down as he told the driver, "Head to Premier Palace."Premier Palace, Max's residence. It seemed he had decided to skip the banquet, even though he was the guest of honor.Brielle froze, her disheveled state not fit for the event anyway. She leaned into his embrace instead.Max looked down at her, his eyes dark and inscrutable like winter snow."You are not gonna walk out now?""Uncle Max," she retorted with a smirk, "how can a dead fish walk?"Chapter 2Max Dorsey never imagined he'd wake up under a woman in a woman's bed. Brielle snagged his collar and planted a wet kiss on his neck, ensuring she left a telling mark before releasing him."Morning, Uncle Max."After the greeting, she leaned in for a passionate good morning kiss on his lips.Max's hair was a tousled mess, his hawk-like eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled, his hand playfully squeezing her neck. "Brielle, you're quite bold."Taking him for a ride, she certainly was bold.His grip tightened.Brielle's face turned a deep shade of red as she flashed him a charming, breathless smile, "Life is too short, better make every moment count, right?"Max paused, a frosty glint in his eyes as he let her go and reached for his clothes."Uncle Max, where are you off to now?"His features were staggeringly attractive. Even a casual glance sent shivers down one's spine. "Off to pick out a plot for you in the cemetery. Do you prefer a sunrise or sunset view?"Brielle's pupils dilated, and she looked away sheepishly, "You're really funny, Uncle Max."Max stood nearly six-foot-three, an imposing figure with a black rosary bracelet giving him an otherworldly air. He was the Dorsey family's fifth son, commonly known as The Priest."Coffin preferences? What kind of wood do you fancy?"There was not a hint of a smile in his eyes. His wrist bones were tense, and his dark eyes, slightly lowered, were tinted with a hint of indifference.Brielle licked her lips, "Is there also a coffin? It looks like you want to preserve my whole body. Should I say thank you?"Max had never encountered such an audacious woman. A few specks of ruthlessness surged in his eyes. His long finger lifted, tilting her chin up.Her face was one of the most stunning in Beaconsfield. Describing her as breathtaking wouldn't be an exaggeration, but she was vain, pretentious, and pompous, the type of woman he despised the most."You want to remain intact?""If you are generous enough."She didn't have a flamboyant beauty, rather a delicate and soft air, her expressions softening her features just right.Max suddenly laughed, the harshness in his eyes receding, but his grip on her grew firmer. He tormented her until she winced in pain, his other hand tracing down along her waist.The cold touch of the black rosary bracelet against her skin made her tense up. He wasn't flirting; he was appraising her like an item for sale."Can't Spencer satisfy you?"Spencer was Brielle's fiancé, Max's nephew.But not for long. Spencer had been caught in bed with her best friend, and now Brielle had returned the favor with this grand gesture.What a delightful game!"What do you mean, Uncle Max? I assure you, there's nothing untoward between your nephew and me."Brielle's voice was dripping with seduction, her glossy tongue peeked out from between her lips, enchanting like a siren.Max narrowed his eyes. In Beaconsfield, countless women desired to be with him, but he had never taken them seriously. And now, his soon-to-be niece-in-law had succeeded.A dangerous aura began to envelop him."Are you sure this is what you want?""Huh?"Brielle had just enough time to let out a gasp before a wave of intense trepidation swept from her throat to her stomach, as Max pinned her back onto the bed."Mmph."His force was overwhelming, ensnaring her limbs and torso with an overpowering grasp.In the end, Brielle couldn't even summon a sound. It wasn't until the jarring ring of her cellphone that she blinked awake from the chaos.Brielle glanced at the date on her phone screen and realized she'd lost herself in another night.Outside, the rain was coming down in buckets, and the warmth wrapped around her waist tightened like vines. She reached for her phone and saw it was Spencer calling, so she hit the answer button."Hello?"The man beside her seemed to stir awake. Brielle quickly lowered her voice, "Spencer, what's up?"Her throat was so hoarse she could barely speak, so she got out of bed to pour herself a glass of water to soothe it."Where have you been these past couple of days? Lillian and I have been texting you like crazy, and you haven't responded."Brielle tied her robe and met the man's gaze as she lifted her head. He had a strong presence, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, which gave him an air of aloof coolness.A sense of relief washed over her. Sure, she was spent, but at least she'd managed to cheat on Spencer as well.What goes around comes around."Well, I didn't see them. Is there something wrong?" Brielle nonchalantly picked up the suit jacket from the floor."Uncle Max is back in town. I'm picking you up in ten minutes for a family dinner."Before Brielle could reply, Spencer hung up. Brielle raised an eyebrow and then turned to Max."Uncle Max, you are going back home?" Her tone was teasing and alluring.Just then, a knock came at the door.Was Spencer here already?She glanced at Max, searching for even a hint of guilt on his face. Nothing. He looked as casual as if he were in his own home.Brielle pointed to the bathroom and chuckled. "My fiancé's here. Mind hiding out for a bit?"Her tone was casual, but the message was clear.The voice outside was unfamiliar. "Ms. Brielle, I'm here to deliver Mr. Dorsey's clothes."Brielle opened the door to find an assistant-like figure holding a suit, greeting respectfully to her.He didn't ask much about her relationship with Max, typical of Max's people.She took the suit and handed it to Max."Quite sensible." The tone that emerged from his throat was like a brook with a hint of snow, chilly and indifferent. Despite the lingering lust in his eyes, once the suit was on, Max reverted to his usual cold and abstinent demeanor.Brielle remembered how fiercely he'd been in bed, and she mused that his moniker, 'The Priest,' was quite the misnomer. Even so, as she caught sight of the bruised nail marks on his back, her cheeks flushed without reason.After bringing him to this apartment while he was drunk, she never imagined they'd end up tangled together more than once.She thought to ease into a conversation, but her phone rang again. It was Spencer, sounding impatient. "Are you coming down?"She thought about the fact that the guest of honor at the family dinner was still here, so why rush?But Spencer had little patience for her, "The rain's heavy, and there's traffic ahead. Don't make me wait, and remember your place."His disdain was undisguised.Brielle didn't feel like arguing, so after hanging up, she kissed Max in a sort of vengeful defiance. His fingers responded by gripping the back of her neck. Spencer's car was waiting downstairs, and she reveled in the secret thrill of the moment."Brielle, be careful not to get burned when playing with fire," Max warned.Riding shotgun in Spencer's car, Brielle's mind was still replaying Max's words.Be careful not to get burned, huh?Her marriage to Spencer was an arrangement made by their families. The Dorsey family held an unrivaled position in Beaconsfield, while the Haywoods barely made the top ten. Next to the Dorseys, they were essentially small fry.Her little stunt had allowed her to let off some steam, but it also meant she'd crossed one of the most untouchable figures in the circle of the elite.The rain was pouring down, reducing visibility, and within two miles, traffic had slowed to a crawl.Spencer, already in a foul mood, frowned upon seeing her bundled up in a turtleneck, her chin almost disappearing into her collar."Is that what you're wearing?"It was early fall, hardly the season for turtlenecks. Despite Brielle's striking looks, it was a bit odd.Thinking of the love bite Max had left on her neck, the corners of her lips curled up. "Yeah, it's chilly with the rain.""Such a delicate flower," Spencer muttered, his irritation growing.Brielle's pale fingers brushed her collar. "Haven't been to the office these past two weeks?"Spencer despised her tone, as if nothing mattered to her. "It's none of your business where I go." He honked the horn twice in quick succession, feeling like sharing the confined space with Brielle was pure torture.The phone rang. It was Spencer's. From the corner of her eye, Brielle noticed the caller ID—Lillian.Unlike the impatience he showed her, Spencer's face softened immediately upon answering. "Lillian, you're up? Don't go out in this awful weather. You have a fever? How bad is it?"His voice went from joy to concern, then to panic. Brielle twirled a strand of hair in front of her, not asking further.Spencer cursed under his breath, hung up the phone, and then angrily punched the steering wheel.Brielle found his frustration amusing. If he'd gone up to her apartment just now, he would have discovered her scandalous affair with another man. However, Spencer never showed interest in her affairs, nor had he ever visited her apartment.Imagining his future reaction, Brielle's lips formed a smirk.Suddenly, Spencer yanked the car key out and, without bothering with an umbrella, stepped into the deluge."Not heading to your home?" Brielle rolled down the window and called out to his retreating figure."She's sick; I need to check on her. After all, Lillian is your friend."Brielle closed the window, her eyes brimming with sarcasm. "Then you'd better take good care of my 'friend.'"Spencer paused for a moment before disappearing into the rain.Brielle sighed. Once unfaithful, always useless. She watched the rainstorm outside and turned to find that Spencer had taken the keys with him. Her brow furrowed in annoyance.The traffic ahead began to move, but her car was stuck, quickly attracting a chorus of honks and curses.Brielle wanted to search for an umbrella, and got out the car. However, she stumbled upon several used condoms wedged in the seat's crevice. Her face turned pale, and nausea hit her.Opening the glove compartment, she found a limited edition lipstick, a gift she'd once given to Lillian. Only thirty in the world, a rare find.She chuckled, closing the compartment. She chose to ignore the blatant provocation.She stepped out of the car, soaked through by the rain, only to watch helplessly as a traffic cop directed her car to be towed away.Standing amidst the bustling downpour with nowhere to hide, she wiped the rain from her face and was about to make her way to the sidewalk when a black Bentley pulled up beside her.The Bentley’s license plate bore a conspicuous series of 1, and a small flag next to it. That flag signified that the car could freely enter any place, even military no-go zones.She raised an eyebrow and slipped into the car. "Uncle Max, what a coincidence."Max barely glanced at her before looking away, his fingers idly playing with the black rosary on his wrist. "Did my nephew dump you?"So much for The Priest, she thought. Brielle found Max to be more of a devil than a cleric, always keen to jab where it hurt."Uncle Max, I took good care of you in bed last night, didn't I? Why do you act like you don't know me now?"She laughed charmingly, and there was a captivating charm in her eyes as they lightly swept across him. Her words bore no trace of the humiliation or frustration of being abandoned.Patrick, in the front seat, quietly put up the privacy screen, unwilling to listen to any more from the backseat."Not bad at taking care of me?" Max repeated her words, then lazily swept his gaze over her. "You were like a dead fish, all noise, no action. What's so good about that?"Brielle clenched her jaw, forcing a smile. "Sorry that you had to fuck a 'dead fish' so hard. I almost thought you've never seen a woman before."Retaliating with sarcasm, her smiling lips pressed together, appearing somewhat pitiful.She leaned to get out of the car but was roughly pulled back by a strong grip. Max's fingers settled on her wrist, pinning her down as he told the driver, "Head to Premier Palace."Premier Palace, Max's residence. It seemed he had decided to skip the banquet, even though he was the guest of honor.Brielle froze, her disheveled state not fit for the event anyway. She leaned into his embrace instead.Max looked down at her, his eyes dark and inscrutable like winter snow."You are not gonna walk out now?""Uncle Max," she retorted with a smirk, "how can a dead fish walk?"Chapter 3Max Dorsey never imagined he'd wake up under a woman in a woman's bed. Brielle snagged his collar and planted a wet kiss on his neck, ensuring she left a telling mark before releasing him."Morning, Uncle Max."After the greeting, she leaned in for a passionate good morning kiss on his lips.Max's hair was a tousled mess, his hawk-like eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled, his hand playfully squeezing her neck. "Brielle, you're quite bold."Taking him for a ride, she certainly was bold.His grip tightened.Brielle's face turned a deep shade of red as she flashed him a charming, breathless smile, "Life is too short, better make every moment count, right?"Max paused, a frosty glint in his eyes as he let her go and reached for his clothes."Uncle Max, where are you off to now?"His features were staggeringly attractive. Even a casual glance sent shivers down one's spine. "Off to pick out a plot for you in the cemetery. Do you prefer a sunrise or sunset view?"Brielle's pupils dilated, and she looked away sheepishly, "You're really funny, Uncle Max."Max stood nearly six-foot-three, an imposing figure with a black rosary bracelet giving him an otherworldly air. He was the Dorsey family's fifth son, commonly known as The Priest."Coffin preferences? What kind of wood do you fancy?"There was not a hint of a smile in his eyes. His wrist bones were tense, and his dark eyes, slightly lowered, were tinted with a hint of indifference.Brielle licked her lips, "Is there also a coffin? It looks like you want to preserve my whole body. Should I say thank you?"Max had never encountered such an audacious woman. A few specks of ruthlessness surged in his eyes. His long finger lifted, tilting her chin up.Her face was one of the most stunning in Beaconsfield. Describing her as breathtaking wouldn't be an exaggeration, but she was vain, pretentious, and pompous, the type of woman he despised the most."You want to remain intact?""If you are generous enough."She didn't have a flamboyant beauty, rather a delicate and soft air, her expressions softening her features just right.Max suddenly laughed, the harshness in his eyes receding, but his grip on her grew firmer. He tormented her until she winced in pain, his other hand tracing down along her waist.The cold touch of the black rosary bracelet against her skin made her tense up. He wasn't flirting; he was appraising her like an item for sale."Can't Spencer satisfy you?"Spencer was Brielle's fiancé, Max's nephew.But not for long. Spencer had been caught in bed with her best friend, and now Brielle had returned the favor with this grand gesture.What a delightful game!"What do you mean, Uncle Max? I assure you, there's nothing untoward between your nephew and me."Brielle's voice was dripping with seduction, her glossy tongue peeked out from between her lips, enchanting like a siren.Max narrowed his eyes. In Beaconsfield, countless women desired to be with him, but he had never taken them seriously. And now, his soon-to-be niece-in-law had succeeded.A dangerous aura began to envelop him."Are you sure this is what you want?""Huh?"Brielle had just enough time to let out a gasp before a wave of intense trepidation swept from her throat to her stomach, as Max pinned her back onto the bed."Mmph."His force was overwhelming, ensnaring her limbs and torso with an overpowering grasp.In the end, Brielle couldn't even summon a sound. It wasn't until the jarring ring of her cellphone that she blinked awake from the chaos.Brielle glanced at the date on her phone screen and realized she'd lost herself in another night.Outside, the rain was coming down in buckets, and the warmth wrapped around her waist tightened like vines. She reached for her phone and saw it was Spencer calling, so she hit the answer button."Hello?"The man beside her seemed to stir awake. Brielle quickly lowered her voice, "Spencer, what's up?"Her throat was so hoarse she could barely speak, so she got out of bed to pour herself a glass of water to soothe it."Where have you been these past couple of days? Lillian and I have been texting you like crazy, and you haven't responded."Brielle tied her robe and met the man's gaze as she lifted her head. He had a strong presence, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, which gave him an air of aloof coolness.A sense of relief washed over her. Sure, she was spent, but at least she'd managed to cheat on Spencer as well.What goes around comes around."Well, I didn't see them. Is there something wrong?" Brielle nonchalantly picked up the suit jacket from the floor."Uncle Max is back in town. I'm picking you up in ten minutes for a family dinner."Before Brielle could reply, Spencer hung up. Brielle raised an eyebrow and then turned to Max."Uncle Max, you are going back home?" Her tone was teasing and alluring.Just then, a knock came at the door.Was Spencer here already?She glanced at Max, searching for even a hint of guilt on his face. Nothing. He looked as casual as if he were in his own home.Brielle pointed to the bathroom and chuckled. "My fiancé's here. Mind hiding out for a bit?"Her tone was casual, but the message was clear.The voice outside was unfamiliar. "Ms. Brielle, I'm here to deliver Mr. Dorsey's clothes."Brielle opened the door to find an assistant-like figure holding a suit, greeting respectfully to her.He didn't ask much about her relationship with Max, typical of Max's people.She took the suit and handed it to Max."Quite sensible." The tone that emerged from his throat was like a brook with a hint of snow, chilly and indifferent. Despite the lingering lust in his eyes, once the suit was on, Max reverted to his usual cold and abstinent demeanor.Brielle remembered how fiercely he'd been in bed, and she mused that his moniker, 'The Priest,' was quite the misnomer. Even so, as she caught sight of the bruised nail marks on his back, her cheeks flushed without reason.After bringing him to this apartment while he was drunk, she never imagined they'd end up tangled together more than once.She thought to ease into a conversation, but her phone rang again. It was Spencer, sounding impatient. "Are you coming down?"She thought about the fact that the guest of honor at the family dinner was still here, so why rush?But Spencer had little patience for her, "The rain's heavy, and there's traffic ahead. Don't make me wait, and remember your place."His disdain was undisguised.Brielle didn't feel like arguing, so after hanging up, she kissed Max in a sort of vengeful defiance. His fingers responded by gripping the back of her neck. Spencer's car was waiting downstairs, and she reveled in the secret thrill of the moment."Brielle, be careful not to get burned when playing with fire," Max warned.Riding shotgun in Spencer's car, Brielle's mind was still replaying Max's words.Be careful not to get burned, huh?Her marriage to Spencer was an arrangement made by their families. The Dorsey family held an unrivaled position in Beaconsfield, while the Haywoods barely made the top ten. Next to the Dorseys, they were essentially small fry.Her little stunt had allowed her to let off some steam, but it also meant she'd crossed one of the most untouchable figures in the circle of the elite.The rain was pouring down, reducing visibility, and within two miles, traffic had slowed to a crawl.Spencer, already in a foul mood, frowned upon seeing her bundled up in a turtleneck, her chin almost disappearing into her collar."Is that what you're wearing?"It was early fall, hardly the season for turtlenecks. Despite Brielle's striking looks, it was a bit odd.Thinking of the love bite Max had left on her neck, the corners of her lips curled up. "Yeah, it's chilly with the rain.""Such a delicate flower," Spencer muttered, his irritation growing.Brielle's pale fingers brushed her collar. "Haven't been to the office these past two weeks?"Spencer despised her tone, as if nothing mattered to her. "It's none of your business where I go." He honked the horn twice in quick succession, feeling like sharing the confined space with Brielle was pure torture.The phone rang. It was Spencer's. From the corner of her eye, Brielle noticed the caller ID—Lillian.Unlike the impatience he showed her, Spencer's face softened immediately upon answering. "Lillian, you're up? Don't go out in this awful weather. You have a fever? How bad is it?"His voice went from joy to concern, then to panic. Brielle twirled a strand of hair in front of her, not asking further.Spencer cursed under his breath, hung up the phone, and then angrily punched the steering wheel.Brielle found his frustration amusing. If he'd gone up to her apartment just now, he would have discovered her scandalous affair with another man. However, Spencer never showed interest in her affairs, nor had he ever visited her apartment.Imagining his future reaction, Brielle's lips formed a smirk.Suddenly, Spencer yanked the car key out and, without bothering with an umbrella, stepped into the deluge."Not heading to your home?" Brielle rolled down the window and called out to his retreating figure."She's sick; I need to check on her. After all, Lillian is your friend."Brielle closed the window, her eyes brimming with sarcasm. "Then you'd better take good care of my 'friend.'"Spencer paused for a moment before disappearing into the rain.Brielle sighed. Once unfaithful, always useless. She watched the rainstorm outside and turned to find that Spencer had taken the keys with him. Her brow furrowed in annoyance.The traffic ahead began to move, but her car was stuck, quickly attracting a chorus of honks and curses.Brielle wanted to search for an umbrella, and got out the car. However, she stumbled upon several used condoms wedged in the seat's crevice. Her face turned pale, and nausea hit her.Opening the glove compartment, she found a limited edition lipstick, a gift she'd once given to Lillian. Only thirty in the world, a rare find.She chuckled, closing the compartment. She chose to ignore the blatant provocation.She stepped out of the car, soaked through by the rain, only to watch helplessly as a traffic cop directed her car to be towed away.Standing amidst the bustling downpour with nowhere to hide, she wiped the rain from her face and was about to make her way to the sidewalk when a black Bentley pulled up beside her.The Bentley’s license plate bore a conspicuous series of 1, and a small flag next to it. That flag signified that the car could freely enter any place, even military no-go zones.She raised an eyebrow and slipped into the car. "Uncle Max, what a coincidence."Max barely glanced at her before looking away, his fingers idly playing with the black rosary on his wrist. "Did my nephew dump you?"So much for The Priest, she thought. Brielle found Max to be more of a devil than a cleric, always keen to jab where it hurt."Uncle Max, I took good care of you in bed last night, didn't I? Why do you act like you don't know me now?"She laughed charmingly, and there was a captivating charm in her eyes as they lightly swept across him. Her words bore no trace of the humiliation or frustration of being abandoned.Patrick, in the front seat, quietly put up the privacy screen, unwilling to listen to any more from the backseat."Not bad at taking care of me?" Max repeated her words, then lazily swept his gaze over her. "You were like a dead fish, all noise, no action. What's so good about that?"Brielle clenched her jaw, forcing a smile. "Sorry that you had to fuck a 'dead fish' so hard. I almost thought you've never seen a woman before."Retaliating with sarcasm, her smiling lips pressed together, appearing somewhat pitiful.She leaned to get out of the car but was roughly pulled back by a strong grip. Max's fingers settled on her wrist, pinning her down as he told the driver, "Head to Premier Palace."Premier Palace, Max's residence. It seemed he had decided to skip the banquet, even though he was the guest of honor.Brielle froze, her disheveled state not fit for the event anyway. She leaned into his embrace instead.Max looked down at her, his eyes dark and inscrutable like winter snow."You are not gonna walk out now?""Uncle Max," she retorted with a smirk, "how can a dead fish walk?"