"Congratulations on the exhibition, Ms. Knight," Millie said politely.Ivory smiled, just as courteous. "Thank you, Ms. Caldwell. I appreciate you coming.""My apologies for showing up uninvited. Since Rachel couldn't make it, I came in her place. I know I wasn't on the guest list, so I hope that's okay."Millie smiled pleasantly as she spoke. However, her words subtly pointed out the missing invitation while also explaining why she was there.Ivory felt somewhat awkward. She hadn't intended to invite the Caldwells, after all.Firstly, it didn't seem appropriate, considering that Julia was a well-known designer in her own right. Their areas of expertise were different—Julia was in fashion, while Ivory specialized in jewelry.On top of that, her relationship with Millie was somewhat complicated, and she had already invited Winston.So, after considering everything, Ivory decided not to invite Millie. Nonetheless, she showed up unexpectedly."There's no need for you to feel uncom
Natalie couldn't resist taking a jab at Millie. "I thought you had an invitation, but it turns out you're here as someone else's substitute. How pathetic!"Millie was fed up. "Natalie, just how much do you dislike me?"She couldn't understand why Natalie seemed to harbor such animosity. What had she done to make Natalie hate her? Everything she said felt like a personal attack.However, Natalie didn't respond. She simply sneered and turned away. Right then, Damien approached them. "Millie, you're here too," he said with a smile."Mr. Callister." Millie nodded and shook his hand.Seeing Natalie's grim expression, Damien could tell their conversation hadn't been pleasant."Natalie has a bit of a temper, so please bear with her," he told Millie, his worry for Natalie evident.Millie merely nodded. "I will. She's your relative, after all."Having said that, she shot Natalie a pointed look. It was as if she were trying to say that if it weren't for Damien, she'd have sent Natalie
A flicker of surprise crossed Natalie's face. She could hardly believe the seemingly insignificant B-list celebrity in front of her was Thomas' daughter."So, her dad used his connections to make her famous?" Natalie quickly seized another opportunity to criticize.Millie didn't respond. Arguing with someone like Natalie was pointless. Trolls like her always had a comeback."Everly's talented. She would've made it even without her father's help. Not everyone gets things handed to them on a silver platter like you," Millie retorted, deciding she wasn't going to hold back anymore.Before Natalie could respond, Everly appeared in front of them. She eyed Milie with surprise and asked, "What are you doing here, Mills?"When she was at the hospital, Everly had mentioned she had received an invitation from Aurora Jewels, but Millie hadn't said anything about getting one. So why was she here?"Why is it so surprising?" Millie countered.Everly clicked her tongue. "Of course it's surpris
"That's enough." Millie quickly pulled Everly away.Everly speaking up for her was more than enough. After all, this was Ivory's exhibition, and it wasn't the right place for a confrontation. Natalie also had a reputation for being fierce when angry.But even as Millie dragged Everly away, Natalie persisted. "Millie, what's the meaning of this? Oh, I get it now. She's your sister, isn't she? Are you two trying to mess with me? Millie Caldwell, you're finished!" Unable to win the argument with Everly, Natalie turned her anger toward Millie. Her eyes flashed with menace as she spoke.Everly was infuriated at that sight. Why was Natalie now targeting Millie after attacking her?"Damn it!" She made a dramatic gesture of rolling up her sleeves despite not actually wearing any. The move made Natalie step back in alarm. "Do I need to teach you a lesson before you know your place?" Everly asked. "Why are you so arrogant?"At that point, a crowd had gathered. They were clearly more i
Noah noticed Everly walking over from where Millie had been standing. "That's your cousin, right?" he asked.Everly nodded, her demeanor softening. "Yes, doesn't she look even more beautiful in person? The media never does her justice.""You're right," Noah replied with a smile.Everly sighed and added, "She's always been the prettiest in the family."She glanced over at Millie as she spoke, the familiar pang of envy creeping in. For years, her hostility had been driven purely by jealousy.However, if any outsider tried to mess with Millie, Everly wouldn't hesitate to step in. Millie was still her cousin, after all.Everly had spent those first few years with the Caldwells on edge, fearing they might treat her differently or look down on her. But they never did. In fact, Millie had been the first to show her kindness. Everly wasn't ungrateful. She remembered everything clearly. Her harsh and aloof attitude was merely her way of shielding herself."You're not so bad yourself,"
Millie didn't need to get up close to know the craftsmanship was impeccable. One glance was enough to tell her that a master artisan had meticulously polished this set. The emerald jewelry set was also one of the main highlights featured in the exhibition's promotion.Millie waved to a staff member nearby. "Excuse me."The staff member approached her, nodded, and said, "Hello, Ms. Caldwell. This set has already been sold.""Who bought it?" Millie asked.The staff replied, "I'm afraid that information is confidential, but a wealthy lady purchased it."Millie nodded. Though she liked the set of jewelry, it didn't suit someone her age. It was far more fitting for someone like her mother.She had come to see it in person to decide whether it was as impressive as it seemed. If it was, she planned to buy it as a gift for Julia.With the new year approaching, Millie realized she hadn't gotten her mother anything all year. Unfortunately, though, someone had already bought the emerald
As soon as Millie turned, she saw Winston and Ivory standing behind her.Ivory looked stunning today, feminine and elegant. For the first time, Millie thought they actually looked like a perfect match. In the past, she had always found Ivory too delicate, not a good fit for Winston at all.Winston was dressed in a black suit. One glance was enough for Millie to see it was custom-made, fitting him perfectly and emphasizing his strong frame. He exuded both grace and sophistication.With a smile, Millie greeted them, "Ms. Knight, Mr. Greer.""I figured you two know each other, so I brought Mr. Greer over to say hello," Ivory said with a smile.Millie's smile faltered at those words. "Knew each other" didn't even begin to cover it, and of course, Ivory knew exactly what had happened between them. She was doing this on purpose.Nevertheless, Millie wasn't in the mood to hold it against her. People who knew the truth didn't need it explained.Winston's gaze was intense as he stared
Millie's expression hardened as she wondered why Winston was looking at her. After all, it was Butterfly who had launched the jewelry collection, not her.Ivory turned to Winston and asked, "Mr. Greer, you're interested in Butterfly's collection too, aren't you?"Winston hummed in response."Then why did you buy my set of emerald jewelry? You could have used that money to purchase Butterfly's comeback collection instead," Ivory asked with a hint of surprise.Millie caught the key point. So, Winston had purchased Ivory's emerald jewelry. It made sense why Ivory had been eager to sell it. She didn't even wait for the exhibition to end."The significance of the two jewelry sets is different, and they're meant for different people. There's no conflict," Winston explained.He was right. The emerald jewelry was dignified and elegant, suitable for gifting to elders. Butterfly's collection, however, was meant for a younger audience, a trendy luxury accessory.Out of the blue, Ivory aske
"Maybe, there's a little bit of liking." Millie tilted her head, "Do you believe in genuine friendship between men and women?""Maybe…" Winston answered, sounding a bit unsure of himself.Millie pouted and mimicked his words, "Maybe…?"Winston looked down and said, "Maybe not."Millie nodded, saying, "But the feelings of the older generation are very genuine. Let them be. Grandma and Grandpa have a stable relationship, and that's what matters."Winston really couldn't agree more."Grandpa treats Grandma really well. Didn't I go grocery shopping with them yesterday? Grandpa is constantly looking out for her, and Grandma does the same. When she saw Grandpa nearly fall, the worry was all over her face… This is what it truly means to grow old together."He couldn't help but add, "I hope we can also make it to the end, Millie."Millie and Winston gradually walked down the alley.The two of them rarely had the chance to talk in such a calm and peaceful setting, so they both cherishe
Thomas said, "Please, have a seat. No need to stand on ceremony."Thomas figured he couldn't be too unwelcoming, could he? He needed to act more charming.After all, this was Winston's first time spending the Spring Festival with the Caldwell family, and it was entirely his own decision to come."Uncle Thomas, is there anything I can help with?" Winston asked.Thomas shook his head and said, "Just take a seat. Not causing trouble would be the biggest help.""Dad, come on. We're adults now, not kids anymore. Stop messing around!" Everly scoffed.Thomas squinted and smiled without saying anything. He set down his beer bottle and went back to his tasks.Layla went to put away her calligraphy and paintings, and she even posted an update on Instagram.Millie saw an Instagram post and couldn't help but smile. Layla really knew how to show off.Layla: "Today, I received "Where Mountains Meet the Sea" by Quentin Scott. I really like it. Thank you."Winston didn't have access to Layla
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