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
Millie headed to the restroom to touch up her makeup. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and let out a deep sigh.She couldn't help but find it amusing as she recalled Winston's earlier remarks about investing in Aurora Jewels. His reason for not investing in Butterfly was that she already had plenty of backers and didn't need him. It was a classic case of self-delusion.Just because she had everything, did that mean he shouldn't give her anything? How could he know that what she truly wanted might be something only he could offer?Millie lowered her gaze, lost in thought. Right then, someone appeared at the door. As soon as she spotted Winston in the mirror, she clicked her tongue and said, "Mr. Greer, this is the ladies' room.""And what about it?" Winston crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. He knew the restroom was empty, with only Millie inside. If it weren't, he wouldn't be standing there so brazenly.Millie didn't respond. Instead, she chose to reapply her
Why would Winston buy Butterfly's comeback collection for Millie? She couldn't help but feel he was being overly dramatic."Mr. Greer, I don't like it, so please don't waste your money," Millie said, politely declining the gift.Winston looked confused. "Don't most girls love this kind of thing? Why don't you?""Because I'm not like most girls," she replied with a smile.She had the urge to say she was in a league of her own, but she bit her tongue, keeping her wild thoughts in check."Then how about I get you something else?" Winston offered.Millie frowned. "Don't you have anything better to do? Why are you so set on showering me with gifts?"She remembered how difficult it used to be to get him to give her anything. Now, it felt like the gifts were losing their value."I promise you'll like this one," Winston declared confidently. "I don't have it with me right now, but how about we meet tonight?""I'm busy," Millie responded firmly.First, she didn't like the gifts he pic
"Butterfly's comeback collection is hard to get. Even if I introduced you to her, she still wouldn't sell it to you," Ivory said, clearly suggesting that Winston should give up.But Winston wasn't the type to back down easily."If she's released the collection, it means she's waiting for someone to make an offer. If my bid is right, why wouldn't she sell it?" Winston's cold gaze locked onto her. His look made his position clear.Ivory was displeased. Both she and Butterfly were designers in the jewelry industry, yet Winston was discussing Butterfly during her own exhibition. It was incredibly frustrating. She stared at Millie's figure, then turned her gaze back to Winston. However, his eyes remained fixed on Millie.Ivory smiled wryly, feeling a deep sense of despair about her life. Perhaps this was how things went when she fell for someone she shouldn't have—constantly pursuing him or finding herself just too late.She had developed feelings for Winston back in university. But
"Mills, I like this," Everly said coquettishly as she wrapped her arms around Millie's.Millie looked particularly elegant and striking that day, like a true heiress. Everly, on the other hand, had a youthful charm.Standing side by side, the difference between them was clear. Yet, both were undeniably captivating, especially their eyes, which were so radiant and mesmerizing that no one could look away."I'll buy you something, but let's skip this one. How about we find something else?" Millie suggested.Everly blinked repeatedly as she gazed at Millie. Suddenly, the two of them were putting on an act of sisterly affection.In reality, they both felt awkward. However, now that the charade had begun, they had to see it through."You're just afraid I'll beat you to the jewelry," Natalie sneered from the side.Millie laughed upon hearing that. "It's just a jewelry set. What's there to fight over? If you like it so much, it's yours.""Are you serious? Millie, I was the one who saw
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