"Are you shocked?" Winston wondered. Millie tried to gather herself. Well, Winston's arrival wasn't that surprising. She had always wondered if he was the guy who smoked in front of the restroom; what an unbelievable coincidence!"Why did you agree to meet with William?" Winston glared at her in an accusatory manner."Don't worry about me. Mr. Greer, please drop me off in front." Millie pointed at the entrance of a restaurant. She needed some food after an eventful day.Winston smiled. "But you would've been arrested if not for me.""Mr. Greer, I have help. Do not flatter yourself." She snickered with contempt.Even if she were arrested, she'd escape by herself. Besides, she had a plan B. The hairpin contained poison. She wasn't joking when she threatened to make William impotent, and she bet the effects must have kicked in by now. If William captured her, she would withhold the antidote from him or threaten to publicize his impotence.She smacked the car window. "Stop!"
Millie was willing to pay any price for the butterfly necklace if Winston agreed to sell it to her.He left the car. "Let's eat for now."She stared at him wordlessly. He peered at her from outside the car. Then, he teased her, "Do you want the necklace or not?"Damn it. She hated that the necklace had fallen into his hands. Now, she was subjected to his whims. Her stomach growled from hunger, and she thought getting a free meal out of Winston wouldn't hurt.She entered the restaurant and sent Marvin her geolocation. She texted him, "Join us for dinner. A sucker is paying."Winston led Millie into a private dining room. All the while, she had been focused on the news, wondering if William might lodge a police report. She decided to hurry back home after dinner for her safety."He won't file a police report. Have your dinner in peace," Winston said while ordering.She was caught off guard. How did he read her mind?Winston quietly checked out the menu and ordered a few of their
"I would be really thankful to you if you're willing to give up the necklace." Millie flashed him a sincere smile.However, if Winston refused to sell the necklace, she wouldn't bother him about it. After all, it was just a necklace.Winston raised an eyebrow. Taking a sip of water, he calmly asked, "Ms. Caldwell, what can you offer in exchange?""What can I offer? I'm buying it." She shrugged. "How about double the price of the winning bid?"Marvin's heart sank when he looked at the two of them. Although they were no longer husband and wife, they would still make a powerful duo.Winston was always aggressive. Meanwhile, Millie had become increasingly intimidating with a streak of madness. "Let's not always talk about money. That's crass," Winston replied with a sigh.Millie refused to engage further. "Mr. Greer, just let me know when you're ready to give up on the necklace. It's getting late. I don't want to take up any more of your time. Bye!"She tried to leave, but Winston
"Of course. I'll call you back after I land." Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in Millie's ear. Her eyes flickered open, and she spotted Winston, who had just gotten off a call.She stared at him wordlessly. What a small world!Winston wasn't surprised to run into Millie on the flight, which was the earliest flight back home.Millie regretted not buying an economy-class seat. Meanwhile, Marvin cleared his throat and looked out of the window."Hello, Ms. Caldwell," Eli greeted her with a nod.She stared at her feet. "Hi."Silence filled the air. The sky was dark outside. Millie turned in her seat to avoid looking in Winston's direction. She was ready to fall asleep after the plane took off, but Winston and Eli would not stop discussing work beside her. It annoyed her to no end."You're noisy," she vented without taking a look at them.Eli looked up. He immediately said to her, "I'm sorry."Winston glanced at Millie's figure with an amused expression before going back to work
Joanna looked in the same direction as Winston, but Millie was out of her sight by now. All she could see was a group of people walking away.Eli broke out in a cold sweat on Winston's behalf. Joanna had no idea that Winston had run into Millie in Musbane. Otherwise, she'd make a scene again!"We've been separated for a while. Let's have dinner together." Joanna took Winston's arm and purred, "I crave for the steak at Siren Club. I want to have dinner there with you."Winston nodded, as he also needed to have a talk with Joanna.Suddenly, he asked about Harriet, "Joanna, how's your mom doing?"Joanna grew furious upon hearing the question. "Win, did you know Millie abducted my mom? Mom was hanging by a rope on a tall building for a night! How could she do that to my mom?"Winston replied, "But your mom did the same to Millie.""I'll admit that my mom is in the wrong, but… but Millie can't do this to my mom!" Joanna looked angry when the topic was raised. She vowed to avenge Harr
Millie stole another look at Kennedy, thinking, "Hm, he's pretty hot."Her phone chimed. It was a text from Rachel. "Have you landed? Wanna join me for some drinks?""Sure!" Millie replied before closing her phone. Then, she whispered to Terrence, "Dad?""What is it?" Despite being interrupted, Terrence didn't seem irked."Rachel invited me to hang out. Drop me off in front." Millie pointed toward the front. Terrence replied, "Okay."Before she left, she nodded at Kennedy, "Mr. Sullivan, happy working with my dad. See you again when I have the chance."Smiling, he answered, "Yeah. See you again."Millie shut the car door and skipped her way to meet with Rachel. Unbeknownst to her, Kennedy, who had hesitated to cooperate with the Caldwell Group, finally gave the green light.…Millie changed into a black dress at the bar and casually put her hair up with a claw clip. Her elegant nape was on full display.She ordered a glass of wine and searched for Rachel in the crowd. She s
Millie quickly helped Rachel up. Soon, a few men surrounded them.A man with short hair barked at Millie, "Hey, take your hands off her."With a glance, she immediately knew they were responsible for spiking Rachel's drink."She's my friend. I'm taking her with me," Millie announced.The men exchanged looks and grinned. She must be foolish to believe she could leave with a woman they had set their eyes on."You'd better behave. Do not press our buttons." A man neared Millie and glowered at her.A bald man pointed at Millie while stroking her chin. "This one looks pretty too. Why don't we take her with us as well?"She narrowed her eyes.The man in the lead chuckled loudly. "She is. Let's bring her along."Millie rolled her fist. "I'll repeat one more time—get out of my way."However, they ignored her warning and went up to snatch the two ladies. Amid a wave of dizziness, Rachel felt someone grabbing her arm.Millie immediately swatted the hand away. "Don't touch her!"She p
Winston waved at Seth and said coldly, "You'd better not tell me who your dad is.""My dad is—" The words were about to come out of Seth's mouth when Winston warned him, "Are you sure about this?"If Seth revealed his dad's identity, Winston would make sure to bankrupt his business.Seth opened his mouth, but someone cautioned him, "Seth, that looks like Winston Greer, the CEO of Greer Group who has a chokehold on Yerwick's economy. Don't get on his bad side…"Seth immediately toned down. He scrutinized Winston nervously. How could this be Winston Greer?"Bring them away." Winston glanced at the bar owner. "Do not let in any Tom, Dick, or Harry next time."The owner immediately replied, "Yes, Mr. Greer!""What's wrong with her?" Jake's voice echoed in the air. Millie looked behind Winston and saw Jake leaning on the couch and studying Rachel.Millie hurriedly walked around Winston and shoved Jake out of the way. She helped Rachel up.Rachel pressed her body against Millie's.
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