Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 1167

His fingers were stained with the metallic scent of blood, a smell so strong it felt like it was seeping out of the room.

Brielle lay there, her chin down to her chest covered in streaks of crimson.

The guards outside couldn't help but peek through the window, shaking their heads in disbelief.

"Did you hear? The one inside, with their tongue cut out, was Mr. Kenzo's true love."

"No way. If Mr. Kenzo had someone he loved, why would Ms. Irene marry him?"

"Come on, Ms. Irene's got her own lineup of lovers. Their marriage is clearly about more than just love. She probably admires Mr. Kenzo's ruthless streak. Remember, she killed her own lover back in the day." "Shh, don't talk about that."

And with that, they fell silent.

Inside, Brielle was still unconscious.

Kenzo walked back to his old room, his fingertips trembling slightly. Whatever he did in there was a mystery to everyone else.

Irene, holding a throwing knife, headed to a darkened house and placed the knife in a sterilization unit. Only when the bloodstains began to vanish did she let out a sigh of relief, as if the knife couldn't bear to be tainted for long. Behind her, Jaired toyed with a cigarette, exhaling smoke slowly. He wasn't standing straight anymore but leaned casually against the wall, watching Irene clean the knife.

After retrieving the knife from the unit, Irene carefully dried it with a silk scarf - the same one she wore on her wedding night.

Satisfied with the knife's cleanliness, she sheathed it in a special holster on her wrist.

"Jaired, are you hurt?"

Jaired raised an eyebrow, flicking his cigarette into a nearby trash can.

"Yeah, their influence is strong. Without royal help, if the Lynch family teams up with other clans, we're toast."

"Jaired, I know you're worried about the organization, but if they really come after us, we've got plenty of hostages. It won't be that simple."

She gently touched the bracelet-like

holster on her wrist. "The organization's been around for years. I've been calling everyone back these past few days. We're in this together."

en Narugi

"Irene, you're oversimplifying things. Dustin and King won't care about the details or other people's lives. They just want Brielle alive." Irene chuckled, her eyes curving into crescents.

"That's even better, isn't it?"

Jaired didn't respond, just silently lit another cigarette.

Irene looked at him, then extended her hand as if to touch him but stopped a few inches away.

"There's no turning back now. This is what I've always wanted to do. My father trusted me the most."

She withdrew her hand, pulling out a cigarette. Realizing she didn't have a lighter, she placed the cigarette in her mouth, leaned over Jaired, and lit her from his. After taking a puff, she blew out a ring of smoke

QUMS

Jaired remained silent, his brows knitted as if holding back immense discomfort.

She took a few deep drags from the cigarette, finishing it in less than a minute, then tossed it aside, coughing slightly.

"Jaired, aren't you going to check on Ms. Alivia?"

Jaired's hand paused mid-air.

Irene seemed to recover, smiling. "Those guys have energy to spare. If Ms. Alivia doesn't adapt, she might really end up dead. Maybe you should check on her?" Jaired stayed quiet, just watching her.

Irene waved her hand dismissively.

"Looks like Dustin and his crew will be here soon. I better get going. Plus, my husband seemed a bit off just now; probably needs some comforting."

Jaired stood still, his voice hoarse. "Go ahead."