Joanna stood there, momentarily stunned. Instinctively, she reached out for Winston's arm, only to miss her grasp.Millie observed Winston's actions intently. He smoothly adjusted his shirt and casually glanced in her direction."Logan," Winston called out as he saw Logan approaching.Logan nodded and hummed in response. Then, he stood in front of Joanna."Joanna is still unwell. Please take her back to the hospital. There are many people attending the event today. It could potentially worsen her condition if anything happens." Winston's authoritative voice resonated deeply as he decisively conveyed his instructions.Joanna glanced at Winston. Then, she averted her gaze at Millie, who was conversing with Rachel nearby. She anxiously bit her lip, then gestured toward Millie and asked, "Do you want me to leave because she's here?""No," replied Winston.Joanna smiled and then asked with teary eyes, "Win, did you truly mean it?"Winston frowned and replied seriously, "Joanna, be
"What does it matter if she's his dream lover? After all, he has been married to you for three years. And you're so attractive and charming. "It's impossible that he has not been captivated by you in any way during this time. Do you remember? He was more attached to you in high school." Rachel carefully analyzed the situation, acting like a relationship consultant.Millie nodded, acknowledging that Rachel did have a point. She gazed at Rachel with her beautiful doe eyes and asked, "Then why doesn't he love me?"Rachel was stunned. She also couldn't understand why Winston didn't love Millie. From her perspective, Millie was much better than the bitch.Millie saw Winston and Joanna sitting through the window. She finished her champagne and tightened her grip on the glass."Mr. Webson, do you have anything else to say?" Rachel inquired.Jake hummed in response. He did have something important to discuss with her. However, considering Joanna's earlier attitude toward him, it didn'
Millie walked out of the towering building, feeling the drizzle on her cheeks. She spread her hands to catch the rain. Rainy days without thunder always brought her joy, just like it was at that moment.Everyone was walking slowly. Some even enjoyed this relaxing and pleasant slow moment. Millie stepped out, and the rain fell on her immediately. It was cold, and she felt an indescribable feeling. Millie looked up and let the fine raindrops fall on her all over.At the entrance was a pothole with a small puddle of water. Millie removed her high heels and childishly stepped in the water. Ever since she was a young girl, Millie had adored water. She began learning to swim at the tender age of four or five. However, little did she anticipate that eventually, she would become the one with a deep-seated fear of water.The sky was gloomy, and Yerwick was unusually quiet because of the rain. The media outside noticed Millie coming out and assumed she was going to leave. However, they
Millie called out, "Ms. Lowell."Winston turned slightly and caught a glimpse of Joanna at the entrance.Joanna quietly observed the two of them. No wonder Winston suddenly wanted to go out. It turned out that he was accompanying Millie in the rain.Joanna walked into the rain, catching Winston off guard. He frowned and tightened his grip on his umbrella, momentarily unsure of what to do.Millie noticed his hesitation and brushed his umbrella aside. It was simply not feasible for a man to handle an umbrella for two women simultaneously. Even if it were possible, it would inevitably lead to one woman feeling neglected.Joanna stood not far away, both she and Millie drenched in the rain. She wished to understand her place in Winston's heart and whether Millie or her was more important to him.Winston felt extremely conflicted."Win, you have to make a choice," Joanna said faintly.Millie turned to look at Winston after overhearing their conversation. Observing his serene demeanor
Eli sent Joanna to the hospital and requested two bodyguards to watch over her outside the ward.Joanna sobbed and exclaimed, "Eli! You rascal! Why do you obey your boss so blindly?"Eli paused before closing the door. He looked into the ward, his expression turning gloomy. The door slammed shut, blocking out Joanna's crying and insults. He left the hospital and texted, "Mr. Greer, everything has been taken care of."The dark and eerie sky loomed over Yerwick, the air incredibly fresh after the rain. Just as Eli prepared to depart, a prison vehicle pulled up alongside him. Moments later, two uniformed personnel emerged. The medical staff from the hospital's emergency department rushed out, too. One of them was on the phone, saying, "We've arrived."Just as the man was about to go to the emergency department, Eli called out, "Officer Thompson!""Mr. Barnes," Liam Thompson rushed over to Eli respectfully."What happened to Sonny Alpers?" Eli glanced inside."Oh, you mean 282
Millie caught a glimpse of the news about herself on Arthur's iPad, displayed in a large font. "Winston Holds Umbrella for Millie at Luminous Grand Hotel Entrance Amid Rain"Millie thought, "What a romantic headline.""Did you two make up?" Arthur was concerned.Millie found this topic troubling. "No, I accidentally ran into him." While speaking, Millie felt slightly guilty as it didn't seem believable.Arthur pointed at Millie and warned, "You are not allowed to have any further contact with him, do you understand?"Millie nodded obediently.Arthur asked, "How many days are left in the one-month cooling-off period?""It's only been two or three days," Millie pouted and thought Arthur was so eager for her to divorce Winston.Arthur said solemnly, "Great. You still have control over your thoughts. You'd be a coward if you didn't go through with the divorce after a month."Millie was left speechless. "Grandpa, why don't you simply cancel my ID card? It seems like you're implyi
In the hospital meeting room, sitting across from Sebastian, were Ethan, Joanna's father, Harriet, Joanna's mother, and Logan, who arrived late. It was evident how significant Joanna's situation was for the Lowell family. Despite their busy schedules, all three made it to the hospital to show their support.Sebastian carefully examined Joanna's educational background and glanced meaningfully at the three Lowells present. "Ms. Lowell's academic..."Before Sebastian could finish his sentence, Harriet interrupted firmly, "Jo's academic qualifications are genuine. There is no way that they are fake.""Yes, but someone has reported that Joanna took someone else's spot in medical school." Sebastian's expression turned complicated. Occupying another person's place in school was a grave issue. It was a criminal offense.Ethan's expression darkened even further. "Who reported this? Isn't this slander against Joanna?"Sebastian glanced at Ethan, flashing an apologetic smile. "Mr. Lowell,
The identity of the whistleblower was the biggest problem now. The scandal threatened to ruin Joanna's career."Who else other than you could have done it?" Harriet's face reddened in anger. As a mother, she felt horrible to see her daughter's career derailed. She was riddled with guilt for failing to protect Joanna."Who knows if it was your daughter's slip of the tongue when she got drunk? Anyway…" Millie approached Sebastian and glanced at the anonymous letter. "Dr. Lloyd, I'm just here to clarify that I didn't write that letter."She added confidently, "I will cooperate if you launch an investigation." After all, truth would prevail.Despite her hatred of Joanna, she had never considered hurting the latter, but not because she was weak. She could be a force to be reckoned with, but she chose to tolerate Joanna for one reason—Winston loved Joanna.However, she wouldn't accept the Lowells' unfair accusation."Alright, Millie. I got it," Sebastian replied with a serious expres
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