After all, the Lowells had not found Louisa yet. Harriet couldn't bear the thought of losing Joanna too. How could she possibly cope? Was she doomed to live a life of endless sorrow?"I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't want this to happen either, but I'm just so miserable." Joanna shook her head. Tears continued to stream down her cheeks as she spoke. "I haven't slept properly in days. Every time I close my eyes, I think about all the unhappy incidents. It feels like everyone wants me dead. They've been harming and targeting me ever since my education credentials were exposed. I feel like I'm completely useless now…"Joanna's emotional outburst tugged at everyone's heartstrings. It was hard not to feel sympathy for a beautiful woman in tears. However, Millie remained indifferent. Was she too heartless?As Harriet's tears flowed, Ethan supported her, and they took a step forward. "Jo, listen to us. Please come down. Your mother and I will agree to anything you want, alright?" Ethan gentl
The next day, news about Winston and Joanna's engagement spread like wildfire. Upon seeing the news, Terrence felt his head throb with anger. "That jerk!""Why are you so upset? I'm not even bothered." Millie lounged on the couch, leisurely munching on a bag of chips.Terrence lightly tapped Millie's head and remarked, "You should take things more seriously!" He then asked, "How many days until your divorce is finalized?"Millie checked her phone and answered, "The day before the cruise party.""Well, isn't that great? You'll be able to have fun at the party then!" Terrence slapped his thigh in excitement. Millie chuckled but said nothing. After that, she tapped open Marvin's message.It had been days since she started searching for the Aspher for Arthur, yet there was still no news about it. Could it be that it was no longer in Musbane?"By the way, how's Grandma's research on SH2N coming along?" asked Millie.SH2N was a drug being developed for brain-dead patients and th
Gloria glanced at Winston and asked flatly, "So, you've decided to marry her?""Yes."Gloria raised an eyebrow. She crossed her arms as she sat on the couch, showing an imposing presence. "Fine, I won't meddle further. Since both of you are willing to marry each other, then go ahead and make it happen," Gloria said, her demeanor clearly showing that she was ready to wash her hands of the situation. It was the first time she had ever backed down, leaving both Winston and Joanna astonished. Gloria cast a quick look at Joanna and sighed. "She's willing to go to any lengths just to marry you. You must marry her."However, she was certain that Joanna would stir up trouble frequently once Winston married her. It was infuriating to think that Winston would give up Millie just to pursue Joanna. Gloria glared at Winston, her frustration growing as she thought about what her son had done. He was turning out to be a real disappointment!"Mrs. Greer, do you really approve of me marryin
In the following days, Joanna refrained from stirring up more trouble and stayed on track with her treatment. Winston visited her daily, while Millie continued to work as usual.Every day, Millie would come home to hear Terrence grumbling about Kennedy's shipment. The whole circle was buzzing with talk about how Winston was putting Kennedy in his place and targeting him. Faced with such aggression, Kennedy knew he had no choice but to fight back.…At a dinner gathering, Millie went to pick up her drunk father. As soon as she entered the private room, she noticed a few familiar faces."Millie, you're here." A senior figure waved at her.Millie nodded in acknowledgment and glanced at the others. Winston, Jake, and the recently popular Kennedy were all there. Seeing them all at the same table caught her by surprise."I'm here to take my father home. He's had a bit too much to drink," Millie explained with a gracious smile.It was early October, so the mornings and evenings in Ye
Winston narrowed his eyes. It turned out Kennedy knew that Millie was his ex-wife. Then why was he trying so hard to get close to Millie?"Mr. Greer, when will you release my cargo?" Kennedy pursed his lips, his gaze ominous.Winston sized him up. It was as if he was trying to see through Kennedy's intentions. "William's goods are banned in Yerwick. This is a straightforward rule. But Mr. Sullivan, since you insist on importing them, don't expect any leniency from me." Winston's voice was low and laden with authority. Kennedy scowled, his eyes full of provocation as he taunted, "Mr. Greer, is this all you're capable of?""It's more than enough for dealing with you," Winston retorted with a mocking smile.Kennedy immediately took a step forward, while his expression betrayed a hint of agitation. Winston shot him an icy sideways glance and said coldly, "Kennedy, if you're trying to use the Caldwells to threaten me, I suggest you give up on that idea now."After all, the Caldwe
Winston tightened his grip on his phone and looked up at Caldwell Villa. He stared at the place for a long while before driving away.In the end, he still didn't respond to the designer's text.…When Millie went downstairs for breakfast the next morning, she heard Julia say, "I saw Winston when I came home last night."Millie, calmly eating her breakfast, asked, "Where?""In front of our house." Julia had just finished work when Winston left. She found it odd that he would pass by their villa, so she checked the surveillance footage and saw that his car had been parked at their entrance for nearly half an hour. "Oh," Millie responded simply."Everyone's saying he's about to get engaged to the Lowells' daughter." Julia sipped her coffee and looked at Millie. However, her daughter was unfazed. She continued to eat her sandwich while scrolling through her phone. "Best wishes to them," she replied dismissively.Whether Winston got engaged to Joanna or not was irrelevant to
Millie pointed at the white dress before her. "This dress—" Right then, she overheard a familiar voice by the office door. "In fact, I really like that white dress outside too. If we're short on time, that one will do. It's this—"As the person spoke, they emerged from the office. Millie glanced up, meeting their startled gaze."Millie?"Millie narrowed her eyes. Who else could it be but Joanna? It really was a small world. She couldn't even pick out a gown without running into Joanna.Joanna raised an eyebrow, then broke into a smile. If Millie was at the boutique at this time, it could only mean… "Are you here to find a dress for the cruise party?" she asked.Millie pressed her lips together and calmly answered, "Yes.""What a coincidence! I'll be there too," Joanna replied, crinkling her eyes slightly, a gesture that only made her look even more beautiful.Millie nodded. She wasn't surprised at all. After all, the cruise party was the kind of event that wealthy families
Joanna froze, staring in disbelief at her hand, which Leah had pushed away. She couldn't believe that Leah had shoved her aside and rushed over to Millie. Just moments ago, Leah had been so welcoming in her office. Joanna looked up, only to see Leah circling Millie."Oh my, Millie! This is my first time meeting you, and you're gorgeous!" Leah praised with a smile.She continued, "I'd heard from your mother that you had a model's figure, but I thought she was exaggerating. Now that I see you, I'm truly impressed!"Designing clothes for someone like you will be effortless. You'd look amazing in anything! Let's get your measurements. I already have some ideas that will make you the center of attention!" Leah's flood of compliments left Millie blushing and unable to respond. Behind them, Joanna's face turned pale as she watched Leah fawn over Millie. Joanna chuckled wryly and asked, "Leah, didn't you say you weren't taking on any new clients?"Leah turned around and laughed heart
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