Millie arrived home and hurriedly jumped onto the bed, leaving her bag and slippers aside. Taking a deep breath, she rolled over to gaze at the ceiling, instinctively rubbing her face. Winter had arrived, and the chill was settling in.It was after 10:00 pm, and snowflakes danced gently outside. After a hot shower, she felt wide awake after her skincare routine. Suddenly, an idea struck her. Hence, she made her way to the study and powered on the long-forgotten computer.She logged into the M Base system and was greeted with a flood of emails. It was so overwhelming that she couldn't possibly read them all. Many people reached out, hoping she'd return, participate in activities, and attend events.Millie despised revealing her identity. M Base operated like a black market. It was a platform to sell and buy work. However, exposing her identity was utterly out of the question. M was an incredibly influential figure. If she were to show up, it would send everyone into a frenzy.Si
A notification appeared as soon as Millie's account came online. A shimmering golden banner gradually illuminated the top of the forum. "Jewelry designer Butterfly is online."In just a moment, many people rushed into the jewelry section, each eager to share a post. Millie didn't refresh for just ten seconds, and the updated posts had jumped to over a thousand. She was surprised to realize she still held so much influence after three years.Soon, Millie received a message from Marvin. "Boss, why didn't you inform me beforehand about your visit to the M Base forum? I'll have Drew boost the server. The design section is in complete chaos now."Millie was left speechless. All she wanted was to log in and take a glance, but she completely forgot the online notification.Millie replied, "Marvin, please ask Drew to disable the online notification for my account."Logging in with her primary account in the future would pose significant challenges. The M Base forum was mysterious, requiri
Millie arrived at the research lab after 10:00 am. The unexpected heavy snowfall enveloped the city, casting a chilly ambiance throughout.Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, her two dark circles revealed her fatigue. As she gently massaged around her eyes, Natalie entered with some documents. Noticing Millie's exhausted appearance, she couldn't help but mock her."You may be in your 20s, but you already appear to be in your 30s. I can't even imagine how you'll look when you actually reach your 30s," she remarked sarcastically as she set her things down.Millie felt exasperated with Natalie, finding her quite annoying.She opened the file and sneered. "People in their 30s have their own way of living, but regardless of my age, I surpass you. Natalie, focus on yourself and stop fretting over matters that aren't your concern."She subtly indicated to Natalie that her appearance was irrelevant to her and urged her to mind her own business.Natalie snorted coldly and fell silen
Gabriel was upset. "Millie, we were hired by Professor Cadmore."Millie asked, "Isn't it common to replace disloyal soldiers when a new commander takes charge? So what if Professor Cadmore hires you? Would you be so negligent if she were here? Who do you think you're trying to intimidate?"Millie confronted him coldly. Her presence was so commanding that nearby researchers didn't dare argue. Some even quickly put on their coats and started working."Who are you trying to fool? I've been in this lab longer than Professor Cadmore!" Gabriel expressed his frustration. He held a significant position and was convinced that Millie would never have the audacity to dismiss him."I have every right to fire you. No need to threaten me."Gabriel sneered. "Who could possibly take my place if you fire me?"Without hesitation, Millie gestured toward Natalie and asked, "How about the postdoc who has just returned from studying abroad taking your spot?"Natalie was taken aback when Millie pointe
Everly wore a mask and cap in the hospital, and they didn't talk much in the elevator. Millie was surprised when Everly suggested visiting Layla together. Anyway, she also wanted to ask Layla about her plans after Aspher's refining."Will you be staying in Yerwick for a while?" Millie initiated a conversation after exiting the elevator.“Yeah. I decided to take a break. I'm exhausted and just don't feel like filming anymore.” Everly yawned, appearing quite lethargic.Passersby couldn't help but glance at Everly multiple times. After all, her outfit was undeniably unconventional.All of a sudden, Everly's phone rang. She sighed. "It's my assistant. I'm going to take this call. You can head in first.""Alright." Millie took the gifts Everly purchased for Layla. As she opened the ward door, she heard faint cries from inside, so soft that she had to listen closely to catch them.Millie frowned and sighed, realizing it was Layla crying. She lowered her head, knowing Layla must be very
Layla raised her left hand and caressed Millie's head. "Mills, my love for you has not been in vain. You truly are my sweetheart.""Grandma, if Everly finds out, she'll be so jealous," Millie said with a smile.Just as she finished her sentence, Everly walked in. "What did you say? What do I have to be jealous of?"Millie looked at Everly as she removed her mask and cap. "Grandma mentioned that you're her sweetheart.""Tsk, you're the true sweetheart, not me," Everly retorted. She understood her place clearly. As the adopted child, she didn't feel the need to compare herself with the other Caldwells. She felt grateful to the Caldwell family for raising her, knowing that her success was due to their support. She aimed to behave well without being greedy."I like both of you. Evie, stop saying that I'm biased!" Layla glared at Everly as she spoke.Everly sat by Layla's bed and held her hand. "Alas, Grandma. Whether you love me or not, I'll still take care of you."Layla snorted.
Millie was stunned, holding the apple. She asked softly, "Do you know about Butterfly too?""How can anyone be unaware of Butterfly? Millie, you haven't heard of Butterfly, have you?" Everly gazed at Millie from head to toe, her eyes sparkling with an unmistakable mockery. She was astounded that Millie was unaware of Butterfly. Butterfly was such a famous designer. But then again, it made sense. Millie rarely purchased jewelry.Millie was at a loss for words. "Of course I know Butterfly. How could I not? She’s incredibly famous!"Everly sat down and said, "Oh dear, we're family. You don't have to pretend in front of me. If you're unaware, just admit it. Would you like me to share more about Butterfly?"Millie showed no interest and firmly replied, "No."She crossed her arms, her expression stern. "Millie, if you're familiar with Butterfly, you'd understand just how inferior Aurora Jewels truly is. "In the world of jewelry, only Butterfly's designs hold any value to me. If I co
Everly scoffed. "I'm not as sensible as you are."Millie dismissed it, saying casually, "Good that you know."Everly rolled her eyes, looking down on Millie with disdain. She had heard that Butterfly was a woman who gained fame at an early age. How wonderful it would be if that designer were her sister! If so, she wouldn't have to rely on her team to beg and borrow Butterfly's exquisite haute couture jewels."I don't know if Butterfly has a sister. How happy it would be to be her sister instead of suffering like me!" Everly complained again.Millie glanced at Everly, rendered speechless. "Go seek out Butterfly and ask her if she would like to be your sister. Find out if she wants that. Everly, you should appreciate how well I treat you."Everly smiled. "Millie, you certainly have a talent for flattering yourself. With a celebrity cousin like me, you should be the one appreciating me!""Do I really need a celebrity cousin like you? I already have my best friend, who just happens
Millie glanced at Winston with initial shock and disbelief in her eyes. Then a hint of amusement appeared, and soon she couldn't hold it in and broke into laughter."Haha!" Millie raised her hand and placed the back of it on Winston's forehead.He didn't have a fever, right? Why else would he go along with such an absurd request?"Winston, where's your self-respect?" Millie tapped Winston's head.Winston furrowed his brow, wondering what exactly self-respect was supposed to be. Was it something edible, or could he use it to pursue Millie?She wanted to hear him, so he just played along for her. After all, women only needed a little bit of coaxing."I have none. It's all gone. Maybe the dog ate it." Winston spread his hands with a helpless expression on his face.Millie laughed and said, "You're being silly. Go help Grandpa put up the Spring Festival couplets!"Winston nodded. "Alright, let's get to work."Millie watched Winston as he bustled about, and a wave of emotions began
Winston nodded with a smile and said, "Grandma, I understand."Millie smiled warmly, unable to hold back her laughter. Layla was just so endearing."Alright, the lights are all set up. What's on the menu today, and who's cooking?" Thomas walked in casually.Everly took off her coat and saw that there was a painting in front of Layla."Oh, could this be something that Mr. Greer brought?" she asked. "This painting looks really expensive.""Mr. Greer, do I get a gift?" Everly couldn't help teasing Winston.Winston knew that this was yet another person coming to give him a challenge."Sorry. I didn't know you and Uncle Thomas were here, so I didn't prepare anything. If there's something you like, I can buy it for you," he offered."How hilarious! Do you think I can't afford it? Do I need you to buy it?" Everly scoffed.Winston smiled and said, "Yes, you can afford it, but there's always a difference between something gifted to you and something you buy for yourself.""Mr. Greer i
"Is this… a painting by Quentin Scott?" Layla asked, a bit incredulous.The Caldwell family held quite a respectable reputation in Yerwick City. Coupled with Layla's status, she was certainly not lacking in esteem.She wanted to buy this painting and had been trying to purchase it for over a year, but she still wasn't able to get it.The moment Winston nodded, she once again sensed the disparity between the Caldwell family and the Greer family.Although they didn't disagree that Winston wronged Millie, the truth was that they did have a good sense in their choices."Grandma, this is a painting by Quentin Scott. I bought it directly from Quentin Scott's assistant myself. It's absolutely genuine." Winston nodded, his demeanor gentle and well-mannered.Layla had thought Winston might give her something she liked, but she never expected that he would actually give her the painting "Where Mountains Meet the Sea" by Quentin Scott!Layla couldn't help but stand up and approach Winston.
Winston had already decided to humble himself completely to make sure his wife remained happy."Go on in," Thomas finally said.Millie and Winston went inside, where Everly was crouching next to Arthur, working on the lights with him.Winston put down the gifts he brought and asked, "Can I help with anything?""Ah, Winston, you're here. Come on in and warm up a bit." Arthur smiled and didn't say anything more.Millie nodded, indicating that Winston should go in first.Thomas and Everly stayed outside working on the lights while Millie, Winston, and Arthur went inside the house.In the living room, Layla was eating chips and watching TV. When she saw that Winston had arrived, she remained expressionless.Millie glanced cautiously at her grandmother with a gentle expression."Grandpa, I brought some good coffee beans." Winston placed a gift box on the coffee table.Arthur chuckled and said, "You didn't need to bring any gifts. You already brought plenty last time."The last gi
Soon, it was New Year's Eve. Yerwick City didn't have a ban on fireworks, so the neighborhood had been lively since early in the day.Arthur wanted to hang some lights to bring more festive spirit into the house. However, when he looked at the high places where he needed to hang them, he felt like he just couldn't manage it.Just as Thomas and Everly arrived outside the door, he called out to them, "Hurry and hang up these lights.""Oh dear, be careful not to fall at this age." Thomas quickly took the string of lights from Arthur's hands.Arthur replied, "I was just waiting for you all!"Everly joked, "Grandpa, are you upset that we arrived late?""Hmph! You weren't early enough. Millie hasn't even shown up yet!"But as soon as he finished speaking, Millie walked in holding some things. "Grandpa, I heard you talking about me from far away, and I've sneezed several times because of it," she said with a slight smile, her voice bright and cheerful.The group turned their attention
At that moment, a cold snort came from the staircase.Arthur looked up. Wasn't that Layla standing there?Layla walked downstairs, her tone sounding incredulous as she said, "Is this guy really willing to go to such lengths to get what he wants? He even had the nerve to say something like that?""When pursuing someone you like, there's nothing you wouldn't do, no matter how embarrassing. Back when I was trying to win you over, didn't I wait for you outside your house every day?" The thought brought Arthur a sense of sorrow.The Cadmores were a medical family, and Arthur was a businessman. Even though he also made a fortune in the medical field, the Cadmore family wasn't willing for the two of them to be together. They just wanted Layla to marry someone who was also studying medicine.Believe it or not, back then, there really was another medical student as her suitor. The Cadmore family liked them, and outsiders also thought they were a good match.In the end, the persistent suit
The car was parked in front of the Caldwell residence. Eli took out the items and silently handed them to Winston. He wanted to see if Winston could help escort the two elderly people to the door."No need to accompany me any further. Let's leave it here," Layla insisted, maintaining her refusal.She always maintained a sense of propriety, even in how she addressed Winston.Winston found Layla harder to impress than Millie."Grandma, let me help you take it inside. It's not far. I'll just go in and come right out. I won't stay long," Winston said with a smile.Layla was about to speak. Arthur nudged her arm, suggesting she let it go, as she had been bothered enough already.Layla remained silent for a moment before nodding.Winston was given permission, and he immediately followed the two elderly people into the Caldwell residence with the items.Eli sighed and couldn't help but take a video of Winston, feeling really humbled.It was really hard to believe this was Winston.W
"The shop shutting down for rectifications is necessary. If she keeps up this attitude, there's no point in having the store here. You all should remove her from this place," Layla said, intending to rid Clara of a job.When Clara heard it, her face turned pale. However, she didn't dare to speak at the moment, fearing that the more she said, the more mistakes she might make.These people all seemed to be important figures!"Alright!" Bernard clapped his hands and agreed, "Professor Cadmore, we agree. If she doesn't give the proper compensation, we will definitely fire her!"Arthur supported Layla and gently patted her back, gesturing for her to calm down and not be upset anymore.Layla had finally started to calm down a bit. She had actually become much more mellow with her temper. In the past, whether in the lab or outside, she was always decisive and assertive.This was also why Arthur had been obedient all these years. He would always go along with her."Hurry up, apologize t
Bernard gave Clara a strong push. She fell to the ground, crying out in anger, "What's the meaning of this!"Bernard approached Winston with his hands tightly clasped and bowed respectfully as he exclaimed, "Mr. Greer!"Winston raised his hand, signaling for him to get up.Clara sat on the ground, feeling completely dumbfounded. Why was Bernard treating him with such respect? Who was this person? What was his background?Winston, with a cold expression, adjusted his sleeve and looked indifferently at Clara on the ground.Bernard said, "Mr. Greer, you should have told us you were coming! I would have had someone prepared to welcome you long ago. I'm really sorry for any inconvenience you experienced. Please accept my apologies!""What's wrong with her? Is she unwell?" Winston asked, pointing to Clara on the ground.Bernard quickly said, "She…""No matter what's up with her, disrespecting customers is a big mistake. I am demanding that her shop undergo rectifications before reope