I'm sorry about the lack of chapter yesterday, guys :( To prevent this from happening again, I'm going to keep it to one chapter per day in February, but with the hope of gradually increasing it. But don't worry, whenever I manage to publish more than one chapter per day, I'll let you know. Also, I'm going to make the chapters a little longer, since it'll only be one per day for now.
“What?” Millicent asked, before she could stop herself, which caused several eyes to turn to her, likely interpreting her question as just bitterness from Austin's vengeful ex-fiancée.“As Austin’s secretary, I was the person the team trusted most to bring their praise and criticism to you all.” she gloated, wearing her best mask of a sweet, hard-working girl “I hope you don't have any problems with that, Miss Bianchi. It was not an easy choice and I was flattered to have been chosen.”“What happened to Emily Wolf?” Millie asked, keeping her tone as neutral as possible “I heard from a member of the staff that she was in charge…”“Oh, about that…” she smiled and, even though she should have been used to it by now, Millicent was amazed at how that woman could seem innocent and well-intentioned when she wanted to “Actually, I was their second choice, it's true. But, unfortunately, poor Mrs. Wolf is very old. She is hoping to receive her retirement next year. That's why the team chose her
Millicent was so shocked by those words that she was unable to respond for a few moments. And, unfortunately, Austin recovered his voice much faster than she did. “What bullshit do you think you’re talking about?!” he growled, this time not only slamming his hands against the table, but also standing up abruptly to the point of knocking over the chair he was sitting in “This project is mine! Neither you nor anyone else can take it away from me…!” “Austin!” Evan practically yelled, making his son cringe instantly “What do you think you’re doing, acting like this?! Is this the way you want everyone to think I raised you?” “No, father…” Austin clearly had to force himself to contain himself, picking up the discarded chair on the floor so he could sit down “I'm sorry.” “It’s not just me and our family’s name that you should be apologizing to, but also to everyone present in this room, being forced to watch your childish spectacle!” Evan roared harshly, but his hateful gaze was directe
Millicent's heart pounded so hard for a moment that it felt like it was trying to fly away. Laura's words still sounded so shocking that she felt like she was in a dream. However, faced with all those looks, some filled with revolt and contempt while others were clearly proud of her, Millie forced herself to disguise her reaction, straightening up and acting as everyone would expect of a project manager at the Bianchi Group. “I’m grateful for all of your trust.” She managed to smile calmly, even though she knew she would probably shed a few tears of joy when she was alone “This project… It means a lot to me and I will continue to dedicate myself completely to it.” “That's… That's ridiculous!” Austin stood up again, looking more desperate than ever “This is my project! No one here would be able to develop it better than me! It's not fair
If anyone in high society were asked who Millicent Bianchi was, there would be only one answer: She was the eldest daughter of Massimo Bianchi. And, because of that, she had everything.Even though she doesn't deserve it. She had a loving family, loyal friends, a job she had achieved without any effort and a surname that carried a legacy too great for someone as mediocre as her... And now, she also had a flawless engagement party. Courtesy of a perfect groom to a not-so-perfect bride. This was very clear to everyone, as her future husband was happily greeting all the High Society bigwigs who were scattered around the Bianchi’s garden, while Millicent was there, hidden in the shadows, observing everything from afar.Like always. “You know you don’t have to force yourself to do this.” Her mother’s gentle voice whispered in her ear “It’s a big step. If you don’t want to go through with all of this, your father and I will be here to protect you and sort things out.”“I know you will be
“You can do this, Millie. Just… Breathe.”Millicent muttered to herself, hoping her frantic thoughts might drown out the murmurs and sharp looks that followed her the instant she crossed the hallway. “Oh, it looks like daddy’s little princess insisted on coming to yet another meeting… What do you think?” a female voice asked, mischievously “Is she finally going to present something today? Or just lean on Mr. Carnby’s work, as always…?”“Are you crazy?!” another woman gasped “Lower your voice! Mr. Bianchi may not be here today, but he will definitely know if any of us are caught talking shit about his daughter!” It would have been very easy for Millicent to simply turn around and confront them. However, since the last thing she wanted was to see someone on their knees, begging her to save their jobs, she just continued on her way, silently. Presenting her project was the only thing she should worry about and the only reason she was fighting her heavy eyes and her tired body. It had t
“And that is my proposal, gentlemen.” Still motionless, Millicent watched her fiancé sit down, not even looking in her direction as the executives began to chat among themselves, clearly satisfied. Austin just remained smiling, almost as if he hadn't realized he had just introduced her project as his own, repeating every single word she had rehearsed exhaustively over the past few days. “An excellent presentation as always, Mr. Carnby.” one of the executives praised “Now, to complete our list, we have… Oh. Miss. Bianchi.” the old man snorted, causing all the eyes at the table to turn to her, but not in a friendly way.For a moment, Millicent managed to part her lips, but no words dared to come out. What could she say to convince these men that the project they were praising had been entirely hers? Should she just embarrass herself like that, even though she knew they would just laugh and mock her? “Millicent decided to take a break from her own project to help me with mine.” Austin
For a moment, the hallway was so silent that, in the midst of her shock and horror, Millicent even wondered if she was hallucinating, after such a terrible day.But Jasmine didn't let that doubt last more than a second. “Yes, Austin, baby! Harder!”“What the fuck…!” Sage growled under his breath “Those bastards! I can't believe it…! Millie? Millie, wait…!”Ignoring that low request, Millicent just let her feet guide her numb body to Jasmine's bedroom door, where not only did the suggestive growls become clearer, but she could also hear a second voice. The voice of someone who was obviously there with Jasmine, but who was still like a knife in Millicent's chest.“I already told you to shut up!” Austin grunted, but there was a clear smile in his voice.“Why?” Jasmine proved, her voice distorted with a malice that Millie would never have imagined her sweet and joyful friend was capable of “Are you afraid that some guard will hear us again…? Or, maybe, that your precious baby girl may be
As soon as she knocked on the door of Isaac's room for the first time, Millicent had to muster all her concentration not to tremble. About ten minutes had passed since she had heard Austin and Jasmine say things she would never forget, but the realization only seemed to be hitting her at that moment, as the tension grew in her chest. The mix of anger and a broken heart had made it seem like her only choice, but…Was she really about to do something like that?However, before she could even reflect on that question, the door opened and, suddenly, Isaac was there, making her swallow hard. He was wearing just sweatpants and a towel around his shoulder. His dark blond hair was still damp and, to her surprise, his chest was not just covered in muscles and tattoos, but also scars, some so deep that not even the ink could hide. It was probably the result of the accident he got into after driving drunk when they were teenagers, but still…“Let me guess…” he interrupted his thoughts, with thos
Millicent's heart pounded so hard for a moment that it felt like it was trying to fly away. Laura's words still sounded so shocking that she felt like she was in a dream. However, faced with all those looks, some filled with revolt and contempt while others were clearly proud of her, Millie forced herself to disguise her reaction, straightening up and acting as everyone would expect of a project manager at the Bianchi Group. “I’m grateful for all of your trust.” She managed to smile calmly, even though she knew she would probably shed a few tears of joy when she was alone “This project… It means a lot to me and I will continue to dedicate myself completely to it.” “That's… That's ridiculous!” Austin stood up again, looking more desperate than ever “This is my project! No one here would be able to develop it better than me! It's not fair
Millicent was so shocked by those words that she was unable to respond for a few moments. And, unfortunately, Austin recovered his voice much faster than she did. “What bullshit do you think you’re talking about?!” he growled, this time not only slamming his hands against the table, but also standing up abruptly to the point of knocking over the chair he was sitting in “This project is mine! Neither you nor anyone else can take it away from me…!” “Austin!” Evan practically yelled, making his son cringe instantly “What do you think you’re doing, acting like this?! Is this the way you want everyone to think I raised you?” “No, father…” Austin clearly had to force himself to contain himself, picking up the discarded chair on the floor so he could sit down “I'm sorry.” “It’s not just me and our family’s name that you should be apologizing to, but also to everyone present in this room, being forced to watch your childish spectacle!” Evan roared harshly, but his hateful gaze was directe
“What?” Millicent asked, before she could stop herself, which caused several eyes to turn to her, likely interpreting her question as just bitterness from Austin's vengeful ex-fiancée.“As Austin’s secretary, I was the person the team trusted most to bring their praise and criticism to you all.” she gloated, wearing her best mask of a sweet, hard-working girl “I hope you don't have any problems with that, Miss Bianchi. It was not an easy choice and I was flattered to have been chosen.”“What happened to Emily Wolf?” Millie asked, keeping her tone as neutral as possible “I heard from a member of the staff that she was in charge…”“Oh, about that…” she smiled and, even though she should have been used to it by now, Millicent was amazed at how that woman could seem innocent and well-intentioned when she wanted to “Actually, I was their second choice, it's true. But, unfortunately, poor Mrs. Wolf is very old. She is hoping to receive her retirement next year. That's why the team chose her
“And, now, you can send.” Millicent instructed, pointing to the computer screen as one of the team members finalized the file on the new application Emma had forced them all to implement “I know it may seem a little complicated, but it will only be like this at the beginning. I'm sure you'll adapt soon.”“Thank you, Miss Bianchi.” the woman, who Millicent could now at least remember was called Dallas, nodded nervously, staring at her out of the corner of her eye, like she was waiting for a disaster to happen or something "I… Uh… I was actually a little confused about this, but… You didn’t have to come here in person. I know this might be a bother. Next time, I or any other team member will be fine if you just send your assistant to help us. Especially on a day when we know you’re busy…”“I'm your supervisor. It is my obligation to help solve any problem you may encounter.” she shrugged, smiling despite knowing full well that her friendliness didn't mean much to that woman or any other
“I already told you! I have more to offer than that bitch! She can give you the Bianchis? So what? I can give you the Grecos!” Jasmine was the one who shouted, Millicent had no doubt, even though she couldn't see much through the hole in the attic floor. The only things visible were the polished porcelain floor of the room below and the tops of the heads of two people who Millicent thought were Austin and Evan, but there was no way to be sure. At least not until they started talking.“Shut your damn mouth!” Florence scolded her, full of hatred “I’m warning you, Austin! There's no point in simply removing her from our party and our guests! She will keep trying to ruin your life until you finally do something about it…!”“Oh, really? And what attitude would be perfect for you?” Jasmine teased “To watch your dear son continue to slog through the mud trying to win over Millicent, while she continues to sleep with Isaac and humiliate your entire family? I thought you had created your preci
At first, Millicent's eyes needed some time to adjust to the darkness, which caused her steps to be slower than she intended. However, Isaac didn't seem to mind. He followed before her, descending the stairs with his arm outstretched as if to stop something on the sloping ceiling from reaching her. Fortunately, the stairs weren't as long as the darkness made them seem and, with just a few steps, Millicent felt the ground continue beneath her feet again.“Where are we exactly?” She looked around, only managing to make out the silhouette of some things and other objects scattered around, dimly lit by the moonlight coming from above.“It’s a… Waiting room, so to speak.” he said, an audible smile in his voice as he took just a few steps away from her, walking somewhere in that room.Until a diffuse light came on and Millicent realized that they were in the Carnby basement, a place full of junk and poorly closed boxes covered in dust.“I’m sorry for the bad first impression.” Isaac snorted
Evan and Florence’s parties always tended to be exaggerated and bordered on megalomania. But there was something more to this one in particular. They had invited every person who was part of or close to High Society, including those who had no relevance to their business with the Bianchi, so their ballroom was as absurdly crowded as ever. However, everything, from the decor to the nearby string quartet playing, seemed too expensive and refined, even by their standards. Not that Millicent thought it was a mere coincidence, however. It was a message.“Continue supporting my son in his goals and we offer all this fortune to you.” That was what Evan and Florence wanted to make clear to everyone there, even without words. The facade that relations between the Bianchi and Carnbys had continued even after the engagement party scandal fooled no one. Everyone knew Austin's stay at her father's company and that contract with Evan were just a time bomb waiting to explode. Regardless of how good
It had only been a little over a week since Isaac had laid his hands on Millicent, but even so, he felt like a man trapped in a desert, thirsty for any drop of water he could get. Despite all the desire and need he had contained within himself while she was mad at him, not even Isaac himself had any idea he was about to lose control like that. His arms seemed to have a mind of their own as he carried Millicent to the bedroom. Their tongues were intertwined as they kissed and his hands were filled with her ass, feeling her move her hips toward his erection, aching and still hidden in his pants. But even so, that didn't seem to be enough. The walk to the bed suddenly felt too long, too long to wait, especially when Millicent was moaning against his mouth, looking as needy as he did.“Isaac…” Millicent panted in his ear when, instead of wasting any more time walking over to that useless bed, Isaac sat her down on the dining table, letting her breathe a little while he kissed her neck, e
“I thought Austin had no interest in being my pen pal.” Millicent snorted, her tone annoyed as if she was irritated even by Austin's past self "He decided to interfere just to keep you from having a single friend?"“Austin might be lazy, but he was never stupid.” Isaac sighed “He always knew he would have to obey Evan's orders and fulfill his role as your long-distance friend, even though it took you three years to return to America. When the rumor started going around High Society that Massimo and his family were going back to their mansion in New York, Austin finally decided to do his homework and read some of the letters you sent me. I tried to trick him, but… I wasn't very successful.” “Trick him?” Millicent asked and, only then, did Isaac realize he had blurted out more than he should have “What do you mean?”“I… I didn't want him to find out about how close we were. I didn’t want him to know you had become my best friend.” Isaac grumbled, but left out the main part.Even though