Matt's lips curled into a smirk and said, "Be careful then. Or else, you'll lose everything you have tonight."Right then, Rachel dropped a bank card into Millie's box, declaring, "My money's on her, ten times the bet."Matt froze momentarily. But soon, he rolled his eyes and remarked, "I'll never understand what goes through the minds of rich people. Oh, well, more easy money for the club!""Hey," Rachel called out angrily. "You're not going to back out on us if red wins, right?"Matt rolled his eyes again. The club always honored its bets. They weren't running a shady business, after all. "Let's talk after she wins." Matt's tone dripped with disdain. The others present laughed along. Someone commented, "Can you believe someone is actually foolish enough to bet on red to win?""Exactly. I guess they have more money than brains."Marvin and Rachel exchanged a glance. Suddenly, someone shouted, "Look! They're at the starting line."There, Millie picked up her helmet before
"The race has begun!" A loud shout cut off the man just as he was about to continue.Jake clicked his tongue, annoyed that he had missed the man's revelation. But the intense race below soon had everyone completely engrossed.The two cars started off differently. Millie's vehicle was noticeably slower, while Quincy quickly pulled ahead. He seemed to be taunting her as he constantly blocked her from overtaking. In the car, Quincy scoffed. He had thought that Millie was some big deal. Yet, it turned out she couldn't even get a good start. He almost believed that she was a racing prodigy. Now, it appeared that the crowd's judgment was spot-on. She was nothing but a pretty face. Quincy couldn't wait to see Millie cut off a finger. With that in mind, he floored the accelerator and left her in the dust. With his arms crossed, Winston watched as the distance between the two cars increased. He couldn't help but furrow his brows. "Is the car in the back Richard's?" he softly asked J
Winston couldn't help but glance at Richard. After confirming that Millie was behind the wheel, he asked anxiously, "Isn't this madness?"After all, Millie wasn't an experienced racer. With such a winding route, what if something were to happen to her?"Can we stop the race?" Winston asked Richard.Richard shook his head. "We can't call it off. Not only that, they've also placed bets.""Bets? What sort?" Jake asked with curiosity.So, Richard called out to Matt. After a brief exchange, the latter promptly brought over two documents. Richard then turned around and passed the document to Winston and Jake, saying, "Here, take a look."Winston's heart skipped a beat as soon as he saw the added clause on the document. Jake, on the other hand, was astonished. "What the hell? The loser has to cut off a finger?"At that point, Jake asked with widened eyes, "Seriously, Winston. Is Millie deeply affected by your divorce? This isn't a race! She's practically courting death." Winston
At that moment, Richard was somewhat slow to react as well. After all, Millie didn't seem like someone who could pull off this move.Even professional racers like him wouldn't attempt to accelerate on a curve. It was a bold move, and her driving style was simply too wild!Behind Millie, it was clear that Quincy was losing control of the steering wheel. His car swerved slightly, revealing his shock."I-I guess so," Richard answered cautiously. Winston shot him a look before hurrying off to the finish line. He would soon find out if it were Millie when the driver got out of the car.Observing Winston's anxious demeanor, Jake couldn't help but chuckle. He then caught up with his friend and teased, "Winston, mind if I ask a question? If it turns out to be Millie, what are your thoughts?"Winston's expression darkened. It was evident that he wasn't interested in answering Jake's question. Unfazed, Jake continued to trail behind, saying, "Ms. Caldwell sure has a few tricks up her sl
"Red wins!"Millie's car came to a screeching halt as the final words echoed around her. She glanced into the rearview mirror, and the corner of her lips curled into a smirk. No one could beat her, yet a mere street racer dared to challenge her. And that was the lesson Millie imparted to Quincy.On the platform, Jake nudged Winston's shoulder. He was shocked and exclaimed, "What the fuck, Winston! It really is Millie!" Winston's intense gaze bore into Millie. Yes, it was her. The moment she stepped out of the car, he recognized her. He truly never expected that she was skilled in racing.When Quincy's car pulled up beside Millie, she heard people at the peak shouting, "Wow! You're impressive!""Quincy, you loser! You're useless!"Even Matt was now cursing, "You're a worthless fool! How could you lose to a woman? You've really humiliated the WK Club!"Quincy looked up at the spectators, his hands running through his hair in frustration. He had thought Millie might have some sk
"We were just racing for fun, but now you actually want me to cut off my finger?" Quincy stared at the knife Millie handed him, utterly incredulous.Millie fluttered her eyelashes and feigned a look of innocence. "Oh, Quincy, that's not how it works. You can't just call it 'for fun' now that you lost."Quincy was at a loss for words. Millie immediately added, "It might have been just a game for you, but I gave it my all. Now, stop talking and cut off your finger!"As she spoke, she tossed the knife to Quincy. If she had lost, he would have humiliated her to no end. But now, he claimed it was just for fun. Why didn't he mention that before the race?Millie sized up Quincy, her disdain intensifying. Besides, a man like him, who disrespected women and was driven solely by his base instincts, was getting off lightly with just a finger. She should demand that he cut off his penis!"You!" Quincy pointed at Millie, fuming with rage. He looked up and tried searching for Matt, but to no
Quincy was so nervous that sweat started to trickle down his forehead. He gritted his teeth and glared at Millie, "Very well, Millie, this is what you wanted."His tone and gaze brimmed with menace as he continued, "Since you have the guts to go after my finger, I'll make sure you regret it!"Millie narrowed her eyes, understanding that Quincy wasn't someone who could accept defeat. "Pfft! How could he threaten her?" Jake grumbled.Quincy tightened his grip on the knife and placed his other hand on the car hood. At that moment, all eyes were on him. Millie, however, simply leaned against the car with her arms crossed. Her demeanor was indifferent and relaxed.While everyone's attention was on Quincy, Winston's gaze remained fixed on Millie. He couldn't believe she dared to do such a thing. Was her previous docility just a facade?As Quincy raised his arm, the knife gleamed under the moonlight. But just as it was about to descend, a voice rang out. "Who has the nerve to cause
Everyone looked up, including Millie and Marvin.Jake crossed his arms and looked at Luke. "Luke, I haven't seen you in a long time, and you're still as evil as ever."Luke squinted against the light, struggling to see the faces of the two men. Yet, their voices rang incredibly familiar to his ears."Mind your own business." Luke pointed at them."Are we not qualified to speak up?" Jake asked indifferently.Luke smirked. "This is the affair of the WK Club. You're just an outsider. You shouldn't interfere."Winston chuckled softly and glared at Luke with a sinister glint. He uttered coldly, "What if you're messing with my people?"Millie felt overwhelmed when she heard his words. When he was a freshman, she was still in high school. One day, she visited him at university, only to be bullied by a group of jobless hooligans. Winston was also present and stood close. He smirked and asked, "What if you're messing with my people?"Back then, Millie had just experienced love for the
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