"Mrs. Leach Senior, I would have been willing to trade my life for Stefan's if I were there that day," Wanda said pitifully."I know how much you love him, so just sign this," Agnes responded, unimpressed by Wanda's hypocrisy. She had seen and experienced too much in her life. Wanda's little tricks didn't stand a chance."If you don't sign, it proves that you love the Leach family's wealth, not Stefan himself!"Wanda glanced at Stefan, who stood silently, frowning. If she didn't sign, Stefan would surely begin to doubt her. But if she did sign, and things didn't work out between them in the future, she'd walk away with nothing."Wanda, if this is the only way Grandma will give her blessing, then sign it. I love you, and I always will. Time will prove that I'll never let you down," Stefan reassured her."Of course, after you marry Stefan, I won't let you down either. You'll have a monthly allowance of fifty thousand dollars, deducted from a trust fund. It can't be withdrawn as cash
Agnes had met countless people after living for so long and could easily see through the thoughts of the younger generation at a glance. But she couldn't quite read the young man in front of her.Pierce was reserved and calm, with an air of darkness about him. He was proud and aloof, not someone to be trifled with. Despite having been a police officer, which should have given him a sense of righteousness, Pierce carried an ambiguous presence, straddling the line between good and evil.She wanted to know if Pierce truly liked Millie."Mrs. Leach Senior, why are you asking this?" Pierce responded."I had hoped that Millie and I could become family, but that's not going to happen now. The Leach family has wronged her, but I care about her deeply. I want to know if she's found a good person.""I'm her husband, and I will be loyal to her as long as we're married. I'll do everything in my power to treat her well, to protect and care for her.""What if you get divorced?""Then I won't
Seeing that Millie was hesitating, Agnes was about to kneel to beg her. She was truly desperate. Stefan was all she had left after losing Gracie years ago. She couldn't bear to see Stefan fall into ruin.Agnes started to lower herself to the ground in the bustling airport.Millie quickly stopped her, overwhelmed by the gesture. "I promise. If it comes to that, I'll help Stefan through it.""Good child, you're such a good child," Agnes said with tears streaming down her face. "That foolish boy, if only he had half your sense."After an emotional farewell, Millie left the airport, feeling a sense of melancholy. She took a cab back and heard on the radio that the Leach Group had cut off all ties with the Atkinson Group, officially ending their cooperation. The news sent shockwaves through the city, as the two most powerful families in Arbelton were now at odds, forcing others to choose sides.Both families would suffer significant losses, but Stefan didn't seem to care. Millie felt a
At that moment, the private room fell into a dead silence. The music stopped, and the chatter ceased. Everyone's eyes were wide, fixed on Millie and Stefan at the center of it all.Pierce had already stood up in anger."What's this? Mr. Atkinson, are you stepping in to defend her? So, is she Mrs. Atkinson now, or is she still a designer? Does this mean that from now on, if Millie takes on a project and doesn't do a good job, we can't criticize her because of her title as Mrs. Atkinson? And if we do, will we face your retaliation?""Millie, why bother being a designer? Why not just go home and be a pampered Mrs. Atkinson?"Stefan's words were sharp and cutting. He was the kind of person who valued his pride above all else. He'd turn vicious the moment he sensed someone making a fool of him.Millie exhaled deeply and wiped off the wine that had spilled on her."When it comes to business, I represent myself, and Pierce is Pierce," she said, signaling to him with her eyes to not inte
"You scared them away," Millie said irritably. But just as she stood up, she was pulled into a warm embrace."I'm all dirty…" she muttered, trying to pull away, but Pierce only held her tighter."Why did you come out? Didn't I tell you to stay put? The more you worry and rush out, the more pleased he gets. How did I not see before how awful his character is? He can't handle losing—""Can we not talk about him?" he interrupted her, clearly not wanting to hear Stefan's name.Not sure what was wrong, Millie simply nodded obediently.His embrace chased away the chill of the night air that had clung to her.Not far away, Stefan watched the scene unfold and felt a sharp sting in his eyes. The woman who had been devoted to him for three years and depended on him for everything had moved on so quickly and found someone new, leaving him behind.He even started to doubt that those three years meant anything, that maybe she had only been pretending, stringing him along. Now that she had fo
"I'm going to sleep outside," Pierce muttered, his voice strained as if he was holding something back.Millie got up and turned on the light to find Pierce's flushed face and cold sweat on his forehead. He looked sick.Her drowsiness vanished instantly. She got out of bed and grabbed his hand in a concerned manner. She immediately pulled her hand back when she felt that it was like touching a hot stove. His body temperature was way too high, and his breathing was erratic and rapid. Was he running a fever?"Are you sick? Why are you so hot?" She reached out to feel his forehead, confirming that he was burning up."Don't touch me." He stepped back several paces, putting some distance between them. His voice was urgent and he even had a slight tremor."Should I call 911? Or get a doctor? We have some medicine at home. You could take something for the fever.""No need."This felt just like the last time he drank that aphrodisiac, but the effects were even stronger this time. What we
But Pierce didn't dare.He pushed Millie away."Don't worry about me, just leave.""Are you sure you don't need anything?""I've been soaking in cold water for half an hour, and it still hasn't helped. I can't be satisfied with anything superficial right now.""Then what do you want?""I want you!" Pierce's voice was hoarse.He wanted to make her lose herself, to see her cry and beg for mercy, to leave her unable to close her legs and keep her in bed the next day. These wild thoughts were taking over, threatening to destroy his self-control."Get out, and don't come back in!"Millie understood that even if she was willing, Pierce wouldn't take her. He was holding on to that last bit of restraint, unwilling to cross that line. She didn't know why he was like this, but since he didn't want her, she wasn't about to throw herself at him.Millie left, and Pierce continued soaking in the water.It wasn't until the middle of the night that he finally got out, feeling weak. He had s
Tobias quickly covered his mouth. "If Pierce didn't tell you, he must have his reasons. Just pretend I never said anything.""Too late."Millie strode forward and began eavesdropping.Inside, Geroge spoke earnestly."It's just an apology, a few simple words, and it could save Atkinson Group billions in losses! Isn't that a worthwhile trade? I only wish the Leach Group would let me apologize instead. I'd bring my whole family to their door!""We weren't at fault. We didn't initiate the contract termination, so why should we apologize?" Pierce frowned."But is it true that Mrs. Atkinson hit his fiancée-to-be like what Mr. Leach said?""They deserved it.""Whether they deserved it or not, the party that throws the first punch is always in the wrong! And right now, they're in the right."Stefan hadn't publicly stated the reason for canceling the partnership, leaving the outside world speculating wildly about what happened between the two companies. But the board members of both co