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
Stunned, Joanna could only retreat a few steps."Mr. Greer," Leah greeted with a nod. Right then, Winston's gaze fell on Millie. He was somewhat surprised to see her there. Was she there to choose a gown for the cruise party?Millie, however, merely glanced at him and chose not to say hello."Have you taken the measurements?" Winston asked as he approached Leah. Leah smiled and pointed to a nearby couch, suggesting that everyone take a seat. As she walked, she replied, "Yes, I've taken Ms. Lowell's measurements and determined her preferred style."Then, she asked, "Mr. Greer, should your suit be designed to match her gown?"Millie settled into the armchair, casually crossed her legs, and leaned back. She then texted Rachel. Millie: "Can you believe it? I can't even shop for a gown without running into my ex and that pretentious bitch. This is so frustrating!"Rachel: "The world is so small. Let's hope they vanish."Millie's lips curved into a faint smile as she read the re
Joanna couldn't help but glance at Winston, swallowing the words on the tip of her tongue.Having already put on her sunglasses and bid Leah goodbye, Millie cast one last look at the couple after hearing Winston's response. Despite Joanna's firm belief in their love, she wasn't as happy as she had hoped. Winston seemed less caring toward her than he had been in the past.After Millie left, Winston and Joanna followed suit. When they came out of the store, Joanna stood by the car. Winston was puzzled as to why she wasn't getting in. "Joanna?" he called. Joanna, gripping the car door handle, fixed her gaze on Winston. Her eyes were filled with confusion as she asked, "Win, tell me the truth. Do you have feelings for me or not?""Not again, Joanna." Winston found it frustrating that she kept asking the same question and always brought up how she had once saved him. Joanna pressed further, "Why didn't you ask them to send my gown along with yours? I could just come by your place
"Why do you need the herb?" Winston asked."I just heard it's very rare, so I want to collect it. What if it comes in handy later? Like the Snowdrop last time…"Mentioning the Snowdrop made Joanna sigh. She would never forget about that incident. Millie had really humiliated her. "I still need it, so I can't give it to you," Winston refused outright. Joanna was displeased. "Didn't you say you weren't giving it to William anymore? So why can't I have it? Win, it's just a herb. If it's about money, I can pay for it.""It's not about the money." Winston turned her down again. He couldn't give her the Aspher, no matter what."Are you planning to give it to someone else?" Joanna asked, puzzled. Winston wasn't the type to hold onto things just for the sake of it. If he wasn't willing to give it to her, it meant he had use for it."Yes," Winston answered, choosing not to lie to Joanna.When she heard his response, she huffed. "Fine, everyone else is more important than me. Just gi
Marvin showed Millie the text, and she was livid. Who the hell was this?"Boss, who do you think brought the Aspher to Musbane?" Marvin suddenly realized an important detail. Wasn't there only one person from Yerwick City who traveled to Musbane? They exchanged glances, and Millie suddenly exclaimed, "Winston!" Marvin snapped his fingers and said, "That's right! Who else but Winston?""But at that time, the Aspher was missing. William didn't manage to win the auction for it. Could someone else have won the bid? Maybe this person is rushing to sell it because they need quick cash?" Millie asked.Marvin quickly shook his head. "No way. They said the price wasn't an issue." "Then it must be Winston." Millie unfastened her seatbelt and decided to meet him. She wanted to know what exactly he was up to. If he genuinely wanted to give her the Aspher, why not just hand it over? Why insist she pick it up in person?Did Winston want Millie to thank him face-to-face? What a hypocrite!
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