Millie's doe eyes had sparkled with confidence when she had said those words. "Win?" Joanna called out.Winston looked up at her. "Huh?"Joanna could see that he was distracted and felt somewhat upset. "A penny for your thoughts.""Nothing, just work stuff," Winston answered indifferently."Oh," Joanna replied softly. Just as she was about to sit down, she noticed a lipstick mark on Winston's collar.She instinctively reached out to touch it. The lipstick mark hadn't fully dried, so it smudged when she stroked it.Joanna bit her lip because she remembered Jeremy's text from earlier that night.His message read, "Ms. Lowell, Mr. Greer ran into Millie at the restaurant. They…"Photos of their intimate moments flashed before Joanna's eyes, causing her to shudder. Winston would rather be close to Millie than to her, and the thought filled her with an intense hatred toward Millie.Suddenly, Joanna suggested, "Win, shall we have a drink?""I drove here, so I better pass on the al
It was already 1:00 am when Winston returned to his villa. He removed his jacket and loosened his tie. Right then, he realized the house was eerily quiet. So, he checked the rooms, but Millie was nowhere to be found.Frowning, he took out his phone to text her. But suddenly, he noticed an unsent message from before. Winston realized he was still blocked on Millie's various platforms.For the first time, he felt that relationships were truly complicated.Winston lay on the bed while scrolling through Instagram. Lately, Jake had been enjoying the nightlife, always surrounded by beautiful women.Winston kindly left a comment on Jake's Instagram post, "Take care of your kidneys."Jake promptly replied, "The night is still young. Come join us, Winston!"Winston sighed and set his phone aside.…The next morning, Winston was awakened by Eli's call. "Mr. Greer, I have bad news."Winston's eyes remained closed, too exhausted to keep them open. "Cut to the chase."Eli reported, "H
The Trojan horse they planted in Greer Group's system was indeed being dismantled, with 60% already cracked.Millie stroked her chin while watching the progress bar inching forward. In less than 20 minutes, it would be fully compromised.She was surprised to learn that the person Winston had hired was skilled. They were actually capable of cracking her Trojan horse.…Employees stranded at the entrance of Greer Group had been cleared out. An urgent notice informed everyone of a half-day leave, and they would resume work in the afternoon. The company's internal group chat had erupted into chaos. Many personnel voiced their doubts about everything being resolved by the afternoon.One employee wrote, "Our security system is so strong. How did anyone manage to breach it?"Another replied, "I bet the boss offended someone!"The entire building was without power, making it appear lifeless. However, a smiley face would appear on the screen whenever an employee swiped their ID. It was
A picture was worth a thousand words. The photo of Winston shoving her into the car was crystal clear. In no time, the entire clinic was abuzz.Vanessa was the first one to comment. "Jeez! The media really loves to photograph everything. What's wrong with a couple spicing things up a bit?""Mr. Greer and Dr. Caldwell are truly a match made in heaven, whether it's their height or appearance," another doctor chimed in with a smile.Amidst the excitement over the juicy gossip, Joanna, who had seen the photos the night before, couldn't bring herself to smile. Her expression darkened while everyone discussed it. She had thrown herself at Winston the previous night. She even went as far as to almost strip herself to seduce him. However, Winston hurled her into the freezing bathtub and left without a backward glance.Joanna's face flushed red with embarrassment as she thought about it. She had done so much, yet Winston still refused to be intimate with her. If word got out, wouldn't
When Lainey emerged from the ward, she immediately thought something was off with Millie. She cleared her throat before calling, "Millie?"Millie froze, locking eyes with Lainey's puzzled stare. She then quietly looked down at her stance and realized how awkward she must have seemed. …After a hectic morning, Millie finally had a moment to rest around noon.She retrieved her phone and accessed her hacking system. To her shock, her Trojan horse had been cracked. Millie immediately went online to search for Greer Group. Sure enough, they had resumed normal operations. Millie couldn't help but wonder which hacker Winson had hired. They were truly skilled. Just as she was figuring out her next steps, a message from Marvin came through. "Boss, M Base has been hacked, and they're Winston's people."Millie was drinking water when she saw the text and nearly choked. She couldn't believe it.Marvin added, "They even left a message that said—Is that the best you can do?"Millie: "W
At the dining table, Selma smiled at Millie and Winston, asking, "How have you two been lately?""Quite well," Winston answered.Millie, on the other hand, kept her head down as she ate. In actuality, Selma knew exactly how things were between them. Selma giggled and replied, "Indeed, everything seems great. I saw the news, and it made me blush!" Millie froze mid-bite. The thought of elders seeing photos of them passionately kissing was unbearable. She wished the floor would swallow her up right there and then. Millie even felt like she was being publicly shamed.Selma served Milie some food and asked with a grin, "Mills, since you and Win have such a good relationship, when are you two planning to have a child?"Upon hearing the question, Millie almost choked on her food. She coughed several times, and Winston quickly handed her a tissue, patting her back while looking somewhat at a loss himself. Selma's eyes twinkled with amusement as she observed their interaction. She c
By referring to Joanna as a guest, Selma had made it clear that she would never marry into the Greer family. In an instant, Joanna's face fell.Millie's lips curled into a faint smile and continued eating with peace of mind. With Selma backing her up, there was no need for her to deal with Joanna. "Ms. Lowell, you haven't had dinner yet, right? Come, join us," Selma offered, waving at Joanna.Joanna was somewhat surprised that Selma invited her to join them for dinner. She wasn't about to refuse because she wouldn't miss any chance to win Selma's favor, even if it meant sitting at the same table as Millie. The atmosphere at the table suddenly became tense. Millie reached for a crab leg just as Joanna did the same. She quickly retracted her hand, and the latter followed suit with an awkward smile.Joanna glanced cautiously at Winston. It seemed like she was waiting for him to crack the crab for her. Selma narrowed her eyes slightly and immediately saw through Joanna's scheme.
"Grandma, that's enough!" Winston shot up from his seat and intimidated the people around the dining table with his stern and frigid tone.That earned him a glare from Selma. "Why? Are you speaking up for that seductive bitch?""Watch your language," he said softly, attempting to communicate with Selma.Narrowing her eyes, she challenged him, "I can be meaner than that. Try me.""Grandma!" He frowned, his patience wearing thin.Slamming her fist on the table, she stood up and warned him, "Winston Greer, remember, you're a married man!""But Millie and I have no feelings for each other." He frowned, as he was initially unwilling to state that aloud in Millie's presence.Meanwhile, Millie seemed unfazed at his remark.However, the couple's feelings were the least of Selma's concerns. Pointing at Joanna, she stared squarely at Winston. "You can marry her over my dead body."Selma and Winston were trapped in a staring match. He was confused by his family's staunch rejection of Joa
While in the hospital, Millie rubbed her arms to keep warm. Then, the person on the bed woke up.Millie turned her head and looked at the person on the hospital bed. Winston's eyes were dull and showed signs of exhaustion. Their eyes met, and neither of them said a word.The nurse entered and saw that Winston was awake, so she patiently asked about his condition.He just kept looking at Millie without saying anything.Millie glanced at the nurse, signaling that she could continue with her work. Winston seemed fine now."You're not allowed to drink anymore," Millie said, her voice calm and indifferent.He closed his eyes, turned his head away, and didn't look at her again.Millie frowned and asked, "What do you mean by turning your head?"Winston remained silent, unable to speak because of the tightness in his throat.Millie poured a glass of water and asked him, "Would you like some water?"He still remained silent.Millie grew impatient and said, "Then I'll call Eli to take
Other than that word, Everly couldn't hear anything else."Dad, I can't hear what you're saying at all." Everly was becoming frustrated.Thomas exclaimed, "I said, Mills!""Yes, you're talking about Mills. And then? What about her?" Everly was extremely confused.She picked up her phone to check the time—it was already 3:00 am.She was about to lose it. From New Year's Eve till now, she did nothing but take care of Thomas."Dad, why don't we just go to sleep?" Everly didn't want to listen anymore.Whatever it was, she would be nice to Millie and not go up against her.She didn't like Millie before, but that was simply because she disliked how obsessed Millie was with romantic relationships."Oh! Ah!" Thomas suddenly started grumbling as he threw back the blanket. "Why can't you understand?"He was getting agitated.Everly was also getting extremely agitated. What exactly did she need to understand?He wasn't even speaking loud enough."I mean your sister! Millie!" Thomas s
Everly, feeling exasperated, helped Thomas off the couch and took him to the bathroom.Thomas lifted his head. His face was flushed, and his eyes dazed over. "My daughter, my daughter, I didn't throw up…"Everly looked at the mess on the ground and felt a headache coming on. Thomas had already thrown up, yet he still claimed he hadn't."You're drinking so much even though you can't handle it!" Everly shouted."What are you saying? It's like you're saying, saying, saying… ugh!" Thomas immediately leaned over the toilet, unable to finish his sentence. It was like he was speaking in tongue twisters, and no one could understand him.Everly sighed. She twitched her nose and turned to go outside to wait for him.Ten minutes went by, and Everly had finished tidying up the house. There was no sound coming from the washroom where Thomas was.Everly furrowed her brows and called out, "Dad?"Fine. It seemed like he was going to end up sleeping on the toilet.Everly walked over and, as ex
"I'll go get your medicine for you. Wait a moment." Millie intended to get the medicine from the bedside table.But then, Winston grabbed her arm. His palms were sweaty, and when he held her hand, it felt so hot it was as if he might burn her.Millie looked down at him.Winston looked up at her face, worried that if he let go, she might disappear.However, he knew very well that Millie wanted to leave, and he couldn't stop her."Millie, do you really have to give up on me?" Winston asked again, seeming determined to get an answer.Millie furrowed her brows, breathing heavily."Do you have to?" He looked at her. "Hmm?"Millie felt her heart tighten, and she just couldn't bring herself to say, "I have to let you go.""Winston," she called to him.Winston had no more strength left in him, as if he couldn't wait any longer to hear those words from her.He suddenly bent over and fell to the ground.Millie paused for a moment, then she quickly crouched down. "Winston?"She immed
Millie tightened her grip on the doorknob and turned to look at Winston.He stood next to the coffee table, his hands dangling awkwardly at his sides. The expression on his face seemed profoundly sorrowful. Although they were close, it felt as if a huge ocean stood between them when he looked at her, making it impossible for him to bridge the gap.Winston made a slight groaning sound, licking his lips and breathing heavily. His body was also swaying a bit. His stomach felt extremely uncomfortable, churning violently as if he might throw up at any moment.What bothered him even more was the comment Millie had just made.She said, "Let's end this."End it? But how would they just end it? Then were her seven years over just like that? Did his guilt and regret count for anything?She could move on from him, love someone else, and marry them. But what about him? He could never forgive himself for the rest of his life…Could they just end it?"Millie. Tell me, how are we supposed to
"Listen." Millie bit her lip but finally mustered up the courage to speak. "Let's end this between us."During those years with him, she caused her family a lot of worry and concern. She no longer wanted her family to worry about her.Or perhaps, she had become scared. She didn't want to gamble with her feelings anymore."Winston, I admit defeat. I don't have the courage to go through this with you again." Millie's voice was choked with emotion as she struggled to hold back her sadness while saying this.Winston instinctively reached for her hand."Millie, you promised me. You said you'd give me a chance. Why?" His eyes suddenly turned bloodshot, and his voice was so hoarse it seemed like he could barely speak."There's no reason. The new year has begun, and I hope you get better. Don't come looking for me anymore." Millie pulled away from Winston's hand, turned around, and got ready to leave.He suddenly hugged Millie tightly and said, "Don't…"Winston's voice seemed to pierce
Millie opened the car door and pushed Winston inside the car.Winston fastened his seatbelt in the dark by himself.Millie got into the car and saw him sitting there quietly, which made her smile and sigh.Millie drove at a moderate speed. The road was busy, with many people out to watch fireworks, while others were heading home.Winston looked to the driver's side, his gaze fixed on Millie.Millie could sense that he was watching her, but she kept avoiding eye contact. Her mind was preoccupied with the messages her dad had sent.Let him go… The question was, could she give up on him?Millie furrowed her brow and rested her hand on her forehead, deep in thought."Did I make you hate me…?" Winston's raspy voice suddenly sounded next to her ear.Millie looked over at him with confusion."Does my drinking make you hate me?" he asked again, just like a child afraid of upsetting Millie."No." Millie shook her head.Despite having drunk too much, he still made an effort to pay at
After the video call ended, Millie placed her phone on the table.Thomas said to Millie, "Hahaha! Mills, look, he can't handle his drink!"Having been the son-in-law of the Caldwell family for three years, I only just found out that he can't hold his liquor."Millie gave a wry smile. This statement seemed to be a double-edged sword. For three years, he hadn't visited the Caldwell family even once. Winston was truly ruthless at that time.Winston quickly explained to Millie, "Millie, I haven't had too much. I can still drink, honestly."His face was completely flushed, and it was clear that his speech was slurred.The two of them had already finished a bottle of vodka.Thomas was even ready to switch to a different type of alcohol.Thomas had spent many years away from home and was quite a heavy drinker. His drinking ability was different from that of Winston.Winston could ask Eli to drink on his behalf if he didn't want to, but if Thomas was trying to win resources for Rach
At the dining table, Thomas and Winston started drinking vodka.The TV was showing this year's New Year Gala while Millie was quietly eating pierogi.She hadn't had homemade pierogi for three years, and they tasted so good. It felt like being back in her childhood, celebrating the New Year with her family. That was what made the festival truly special.Millie looked at her grandparents with a constant smile on her face. She felt happier than she had ever been before.She wished her parents were here too. Oh, those two…Just as she was thinking about this, her phone rang. It was Terrence calling.Millie answered the call without saying a word and pointed the camera toward Thomas.This year, Thomas had no one to drink with, so he turned to Winston for company.Terrence was lounging in the sun when he caught sight of Winston. His eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately set down his juice."Who is that? Am I seeing this right?" Terrence sat up straight, his voice filled with