Chapter 117

Chapter will finally be behind me," she whispered, clutching her phone a little tighter.

After a hectic morning, Brandon finally settled in for lunch, loosening his tie as he took a seat at the dining table.

Just as he looked down to see what he was having,the savory aroma of beef stew wafted up from a steaming bowl placed before him.

He paused, one brow arching in mild surprise, and then glanced over at Eugene.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Eugene offered an awkward smile. "Mr. Watson, you didn't seem pleased with that beef stew from the restaurant the other night, so I brought my mom's homemade stew for you She swears it's her best dish."

Brandon merely inclined his head in acknowledgment,saying nothing more.

A soft knock broke the brief silence.

Brandon's gaze shifted toward the doorway, where Vivian lingered, her figure framed by the light spilling in fromn the hall.

She stepped inside, momentarily caught off guard when she spotted the stew gracing Brandon's table.

Eugene straightened up, curiosity flickering in his eyes."Is there something you need, Miss Simpson?"

Vivian flashed Eugene a warm smile. "I brought the same dish for Brandon. I heard he hasn't found a single restaurant in Crobert that serves decent beef stew, so I cooked this myself. Go on,Brandon, give it a try. Let me know what you think."

Eugene kept quiet, casting a sidelong glance at Brandon for any hint of reaction.

Brandon, composed as ever, accepted the container from Vivian, set it neatly on the table, and sampled the beef stew.

"Well?" Vivian leaned forward, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Do you like it?"

Brandon took his time, savoring the flavor.

The stew was perfectly fine-pleasant enough, but it still fell short of Millie's unmistakable touch.

Stil, he replied with a nod,"It's good."

Vivian's face lit up with satisfaction. She nudged the container closer and coaxed him to eat a little more.

Annoyance flickered across Brandon's face as he sent Vivian out on an errand, eager for a moment of peace.

Moments later, a knock sounded at the door-another lunch delivery, this one from Watson Mansion.

He lifted the lid to discover, unsurprisingly,a steaming beef stew and a folded note tucked neatly beside it.

Inside, his grandfather's bold script sprawled across the page. "Heard about your beef stew hunting mission. Brandon, you're missing Millie, aren't you?Bring her home. There's nothing a real conversation can't fix. We're family. That's what matters."

Reading those words, Brandon's chest tightened.

But the date loomed large in his mind-the last day before their divorce was finalized.