Mateo continued to complain via text, "It was you who ignored me, and now you don't want anyone else to assist me? Stefan has spoiled you too much that you've developed such a bad temper. You used to be so gentle!"He proceeded to send several messages in a row, each one testing Millie's patience even more than the last. Millie was so furious that she was almost ready to storm into the restaurant and flip their table over.Nevertheless, she held back. After all, there was no point arguing with a fool.If reasoning with Mateo didn't work, she wouldn't bother trying anymore. It was better to just let them do whatever they wanted.Millie blocked Mateo's number as well. She even considered publishing a public announcement that she was cutting ties with the Jordan family should it be necessary. After all, she had already changed her registered address to her studio in Arbelton three years ago.Meanwhile, Mateo and Stefan were still having their meal at the restaurant."Stefan, I gue
"Mills, I'm going on a business trip tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?" Pierce suggested going on a short trip.Millie knew that he'd made that suggestion so that she could avoid facing her family for a while. After all, if they couldn't find her, they wouldn't be able to pressure her.However, Millie understood that steering clear of them would only provide temporary relief. She'd still need to face them sooner or later."There's no need. It's high time I meet with them," Millie firmly said, exhaling a deep breath as she looked at him with determination. "This is my family matter. I should handle it myself.""Alright. No matter what happens, I'll be by your side." Pierce tightly gripped her hand, and the warmth from his fingertips slowly melted the ice in her heart.Millie then called Agnes, hoping that she could ask Stefan to stop interfering in her family's affairs.Agnes felt ashamed that Stefan stuck his nose where he shouldn't have. "Don't worry. I'll give him a proper
"Grandma... You can't do this to me, Grandma..!" Stefan cried out.To his dismay, Agnes left without looking back.…The next day, Mateo tried to contact Stefan but couldn't reach him. When he called Millie, he found out that she had blocked him. Left with no other choice, he went to the airport alone to pick Frederick and Emily up. It had been three years since they'd left Arbelton, and so much had changed. When Frederick set foot in the city again, he was overwhelmed with complicated emotions. He couldn't help but sigh—he hated this city. The last time he left, he had left in disgrace.If it weren't for Millie doing as she wished, he wouldn't have had to return to this place that held so many bitter memories."Where's your sister?" he demanded."She blocked my number. I can't reach her," Mateo helplessly replied.Upon hearing this, Frederick's anger surged. "How dare she! She's gone overboard!"Mateo was still a college student with little life experience. He scrambled
"Alright, Mateo and I will handle this." Emily conceded.She took Frederick back to the hotel before returning with Mateo to request a meeting with Pierce.The receptionist continued to refuse their requests, so they waited in the lobby.Finally, Millie and Pierce appeared. The two of them looked like a perfect match when they stood next to each other."Millie!" Both Emily and Mateo emotionally called out.Millie knew that they were there and had specifically come to meet them."Come on up," she said, her tone indifferent.The elevator was spacious and could easily accommodate over a dozen people. Yet, with just the four of them inside, it felt oppressively small at that moment.Pierce's imposing presence was almost palpable, and his cold expression offered no trace of warmth or courtesy. There wasn't even any perfunctory pleasantry. With one strong arm wrapped around Millie's slender waist, he didn't so much as glance at the other two. This caused Emily's face to burn with
Millie let out a deep breath. She then straightened her back and looked up. Without flinching the slightest, she met Emily's and Mateo's gazes. "Considering that you raised me, I'll take this slap and let it slide. But if you try to hit me again from now on, I won't just let it be," she warned."Who do you think you're talking to? I'm your mother! Is this how you speak to me?" Emily questioned in a livid tone. "Why can't I hit you? I gave birth to you. I could beat you to death if I wanted to!" Emily was infuriated at being talked back to by her own daughter. She thought that such a scenario was insulting, and her anger boiled over. So, she raised her hand to slap Millie again.But this time, Millie didn't stand still and take it. Instead, she grabbed Emily's wrist and held on tight. She firmly stated, "I told you that you can't hit me again. I've already repaid not just Stefan's so-called kindness but also your debt for raising me. Three years ago, I paid it all back in full!
Early the next morning, Frederick went straight to Atkinson Group. He didn't approach the reception desk but went straight to the waiting area. With his hands folded atop his walking cane, he exuded an air of authority. Meanwhile, Mateo and Emily sat nervously behind him, their eyes fixed on the entrance.At their feet was a sign with bold red letters that read, "Ungrateful daughter disowns her family—Millie Jordan is an ingrate and an imbecile!"As employees arrived for work, many of them curiously glanced at the trio and whispered amongst themselves.The receptionist called Pierce and explained the situation."If they want to sit there, let them sit," Millie coolly said. After all, she had nothing more to say to her family."But the sign…" the receptionist hesitantly spoke up."Ask them to come up," Pierce interjected."There's no need to bother with them. This is just their way of threatening me," Millie began, but Pierce cut her off."Mills, I won't allow anyone to tarnis
Frederick had made it seem like she would forever be indebted to the Leach family. And because of that, she'd always compromised, even during arguments. She never dared to speak her mind or stand her ground. She'd constantly yielded to Stefan's wishes and turned herself into the perfect doormat who would never get angry or upset.So, when Stefan dumped her, it had been as easy as throwing away worthless trash. He had done it without the slightest hesitation.How could a dull, submissive woman like her compare to the unattainable first love? She was ordinary and unremarkable, so Stefan had never truly valued her.At home, she was an obedient daughter and a good sister. She never fought back against their mistreatment. Over time, they believed her forbearance was only natural. Now, the moment she stopped backing down, she became the villain."Even without Pierce, I refuse to be a pawn manipulated by the Jordan family anymore!" Millie firmly announced with her back straight and he
Millie gave her instructions clearly and firmly, her decisiveness unprecedented.Frederick, Emily, and Mateo's faces turned pale. They realized that she wasn't joking from her tone.Pierce nodded and immediately called for Tobias. "Go get it done. Notify the auditors to investigate the Jordan family's accounts. I doubt their books are clean." There had to be something they could use to send Frederick back to prison."Bye. Feel free to keep making a scene," Millie said with a light wave of her hand, looking almost cheerful as she turned and walked away.The three of them were left speechless and frozen in place. They had arrived brimming with confidence, but now, they were utterly dumbfounded.Once Millie was out of sight, they finally snapped out of their stupor.Mateo stammered, "Dad, she won't really do that, right? She wouldn't be so heartless…" "We never should've had that daughter!" Frederick growled, his teeth clenched in fury.Emily wiped her tears. "Honestly, I don't t
This time, Wanda was truly panicking. She had always managed to manipulate him, but Stefan was not having any of it now.After all, threatening to end one's own life could only work so many times.At that moment, the only feeling Stefan was left with was annoyance.Soon enough, the divorce papers were delivered.Wanda read through them and discovered that she was not leaving the marriage empty-handed. In fact, she would even receive a small fortune. She would still be able to lead a life of luxury even without Stefan. He had gone above and beyond with his terms.But Wanda was still unsatisfied. "Stefan, must you be so cruel? Have you forgotten our vows from before? You said you would love me forever. Have you forgotten all that?" she cried."But are you still the same Wanda from before? Or maybe you've always been this person, and I've just never truly known you. Wanda, sign these papers right now, and you can still receive everything listed in there. If you don't, then I'll dr
Wanda had no choice but to bribe this driver. As long as she was successful in getting back her position tonight, then Stefan would not do anything to him on her account.The driver had also profited a lot. After all, money could move even mountains, and he was only human. He definitely did not have it in him to refuse. "I've brought Mr. Leach. When he sobers up tomorrow, please speak up on my behalf, ma'am." "Don't worry."After the driver had left, only the two of them were left inside the house. Wanda started removing Stefan's clothing, like how she had done many times before.Stefan became aware of the movements and groggily opened his eyes. He fixed his gaze on the person in front of him."M-Millie?" he murmured gently. This drove Wanda nuts. She wanted to stop everything right then. After all, she had her pride too. But, this was a rare opportunity. If she didn't go through with it tonight, who knew how long she would have to wait again. The most important thing she had
"What happened between us already constitutes me taking advantage of you. I always thought we were referring to the same thing."Millie closed her eyes, nearly passing out again. This truly was one heck of a misunderstanding! "Forget it. The misunderstanding has been cleared now. Let's consider this chapter over.""Mills, you're also taking the initiative to get closer to me, right? You got the drug for yourself, yes?""That's a secret!""Can I hold you, Mills?" With that, Pierce gathered her back into his arms. Even though the action brought lustful ideas to the forefront of his brain again, he still wanted to hold her tightly.Kisses and embraces were important to women, especially when they were provided after sex. His chest was broad, warm, and exuded strength. To be held by him tightly gave her the sense that she was needed by him. It was a wondrous feeling. Eventually, Millie dozed off again. By the time she woke up next, night had already fallen, and Pierce was no lon
Millie's mind was completely addled. Before Pierce could answer her, images started popping up into her brain. "There's not enough time to get a doctor…""No…""Please, please help me. I can't hold on any longer!"Millie froze in place. She was the one who cried and begged Pierce again and again to take care of it for her. He never actually went all the way, and instead used other methods to help her so she could still keep her virginity intact. Today was indeed their actual first time!"How? How can this be? This isn't how I remember it! Why are my memories all jumbled?" That was when Millie recalled how the doctor had mentioned how a human's brain had the ability to protect itself. When experiencing certain trauma or fear, the brain would subconsciously forget or alter certain memories.Moreover, the drug that day was especially potent. It not only charged one's sexual need into hyperdrive, but could also cause hallucinations. That was why she remembered hearing Pierce's v
"Mills… I… I can still hold on…" whispered Pierce in a small, pained voice. Millie saw how he was holding himself back and felt her heart break. "This is your only chance. There might not even be a next time.""Please, just go," he forced out."Silly, I'm telling you to just get on with it!" Millie was livid."But I'm worried you'll get mad…" Pierce groaned. He was worried that he might do something that crossed Millie's boundaries, and that she would never forgive him when she came to her senses. He would much rather just hold it in and do nothing, even if he was the one who would end up suffering.Millie coaxed him patiently. "I won't get mad. Please, Pierce… I want you to. I really do." She even took the initiative and gave his earlobes a gentle nibble. And with that, Pierce took the reins back and kissed her fiercely.At first, Millie assumed that things would be more successful this time round since Pierce was experienced. However, it seemed like he continuously missed
"Get out!" Pierce bellowed. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he tightly gripped Millie's wrist, trying to push her out of the room. However, Millie refused to leave."Go!" Pierce growled, his voice strained with urgency. Just the sensation of her cool, delicate skin against his was enough to make him lose control."I… I don't know who drugged me, but you're in danger if you stay here with me. Please just leave me alone for now," he said, struggling to keep his voice steady."If it gets worse, knock me out. Just knock me out," he begged, his rationality slipping away.He reached for the desk lamp and placed it in Millie's hands. "Hit me!" he desperately yelled.Millie's mind was in a mess. How could she possibly hurt him?"Go to the bedroom first. I'll come and check on you later," she said before rushing out of the study.She quickly instructed the house staff to leave the premises, not wanting them to overhear or witness anything they shouldn't. Then, she returned to
Pierce frowned slightly, confused about why the doctor insisted on Millie joining him for the consultation. Nevertheless, he respected the doctor's advice and called her over."Your wife is very pretty," the doctor remarked."Yes, she's beautiful," Pierce responded, proudly puffing out his chest.Millie rolled her eyes upon hearing that."Doctor, is there something wrong with him? Is it serious?" she nervously asked. When she learned that the doctor had specifically requested her presence, she was worried that Pierce might have some kind of serious health issue."Do you two not have a healthy sex life? Look at him—he's clearly been holding back too much. There's nothing wrong with him physically. But he's young, full of energy, and at the age where he needs… a release. "Should I examine you too, miss?" the doctor asked.The comment left Millie's face burning with embarrassment, and even the tip of Pierce's ears turned a faint red.The elderly doctor was certainly not one to mi
"Mills, are you inside?" Pierce called out.He'd hurried back home after the housekeeper told him that Millie had retreated to her room early. He thought she'd gone to bed, but the lights were still on, and there was no sign of her.However, the bathroom door was tightly shut. Worried that she might have passed out inside from staying in the bath for too long, Pierce knocked on the door. "Mills?"Millie wanted to respond, but no sound came out of her mouth. Her body felt completely drained."Mills?" Pierce's voice grew more urgent. "If you don't come out, I'm coming in."After waiting for another minute and not getting a response, Pierce opened the door and found Millie slumped in the bathtub, completely soaked and looking utterly disheveled."Mills!" Pierce was alarmed to see her in such a fragile and exhausted state.He immediately assumed that it was the lingering impact of her family's recent visit. He thought that Millie was still trapped in sadness, unable to move past t
"Does our family have to end up in this state?" Mateo asked, bewildered. Everything had been fine before they came to Arbelton. Why had it all fallen apart after one short visit?He understood that Millie had suffered, but it was undeniable that she was heartless too. Wasn't she the one who had torn the family apart?"Think it over yourself. For now, come home with me," Emily said.After everything that had happened, Emily had made up her mind. She finally saw Frederick for who he was. She still had a shred of conscience and was willing to admit that the Jordan family had wronged Millie. But Frederick's chauvinistic attitude disgusted her. Why was it so hard for him to admit that Millie did better than him? She wasn't a stranger—she was family, after all.The Jordan family had arrived in Arbelton feeling wronged and self-righteous, but they left with their tails between their legs.Meanwhile, Agnes followed through on her promise to formally take Millie in as her honorary gr