Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Andrew wrapped her tightly in his arms, making sure she was safely tucked into the car before speeding away. Aubree's eyes stung from the ink, and the chorus of smartphone cameras clicking around her only confirmed her suspicion: she looked a mess. Andrew didn't hesitate, driving straight to the hospital, worried that the black substance might contain something harmful. But Aubree just managed a weak smile. "It's the Clements family behind this, probably just regular ink to humiliate me. Andrew, if you keep showing up She felt trapped because it was all Desiree's doing. The entire Clements family had shown her kindness; Marissa even gave her shares in the family business. As someone brought up by the Clements but not related by blood, any sort of retaliation would come off as ungrateful.

like this, it'll only happen more often."

Andrew drove in silence, not saying a word. He took her back to her place and drew a warm bath for her. Aubree slipped into the tub, scrubbing the ink from her cheeks before soaking, turning the water pitch black. After draining it and taking a long shower, she finally felt clean. In her pajamas, she found Andrew on the phone, his face a storm of anger, likely talking to someone from the Clements family. Whatever was said hit him hard, making him tremble before slumping in defeat. Aubree guessed it was Desiree, probably using her health as leverage.

Even with his fiery temper, Andrew was the family's golden boy, loved and spoiled by everyone. Yet this affection felt like a burden, especially since they all disapproved of Aubree. Incidents like today's would keep happening, embarrassing her, now a public figure, in front of everyone. They knew she wouldn't retaliate, but it would hurt Andrew, pulling his focus from the Clements Corporation to his adopted sister instead.

Drying her hair, Aubree felt a strange sense of relief. Checking her phone, she wasn't surprised to see the ink-throwing incident trending, with rivals already spinning stories against her. Rumors flew about her stealing someone's man, about deliberate revenge. Even Andrew wasn't spared from speculation.

"Are they really siblings? Their relationship seems... off."

"I'm in the industry, let me tell you, they're not siblings. Andrew is into Aubree."

"But is that right? They've lived under the same roof for years."

Despite their adopted sibling status, public perception leaned towards scandal, and Aubree knew she'd be in the spotlight for criticism. Once Andrew hesitated to acknowledge their relationship, fearing the

backlash of a Clements heir falling for his sister. Now, Aubree couldn't afford to make it public either, not with her career and the inevitable rumors it would bring.

Setting her phone aside, still displaying Twitter's trending topics with her name front and center, she spoke up. "Andrew, you see this? As long as we're together, this stuff is gonna keep happening. Every time I hit the trends, things I didn't even do will start to stick. I can't keep explaining myself."

"Andrew, I'm about to start shooting. Maybe we should take a break, you know, cool off a bit. And don't visit the set-Mr. Casey runs a tight ship."

Andrew felt a wave of helplessness

wash over him. The moment henoveldrama

chose to love Aubree, it seemed like the whole world, including his own family, was set against them