Chapter 133

Brandon suddenly remembered his promise to Vivian -they were supposed to have dinner together tonight. So he responded, "I'll be a bit late. I'm having dinner with Vivian."

Darden replied immediately, "Alright, alright, your Vivian comes first. Anyway, I'll book a private room at the Blue Lounge and wait for you. Let's celebrate your first day of freedom!"

"Okay," Brandon said simply.

But after ending the call, another thought crept into his mind.

What was Millie doing on their first day apart?

He checked the time.

By now, she'd likely picked up Ari from school. She'd take her back to her apartment and cook dinner.

What would they be eating?

The beef stew Ari like?

The thought brought a small smile to his lips.

Without realizing it, Brandon pressed the intercom.

Moments later, Eugene entered the room.

"Mr. Watson," he greeted politely.

Brandon tapped his fingers on the desk. "Check the partnership terms with Magic Cartoon and order.some of their merchandise. For research."

Eugene opened his mouth to ask a question, but reconsidered and simply said, "UJnderstood."

"Once we've reviewed the items, send them to Ari's kindergarten," Brandon added. "Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mr. Watson. Distributing them to all the children will be the best approach."

Brandon gave a faint nod.

Ari wouldn't accept gifts from him directly. This was the only way he could give her something.

Still a bit dazed, Brandon thought back to how quickly the marriage had unraveled.

He had expected Millie to cry, to resist the divorce,maybe even refuse to sign the papers at first. But none of that happened.

He scrolled through their chat history. The last messages were still his-left on read, unanswered.

He recalled what he'd asked her last night-"Do you love me?" And she had given a positive answer.

So was she simply being mature, or was she just being stubborn,pretending she didn't care?

Meanwhile, Millie had already picked up Ari and brought her home.

They were having dinner together.

While Vivian arrived to meet Brandon at the restaurant, Millie was bathing Ari.

As Brandon and Vivian sat down for their meal, Millie finished getting Ari ready, buckled her into the car seat,and drove her to the children's home

Then, she returned home, parked the car, and took a taxi to the Blue Lounge. She might be drinking tonight, and it wasn't safe to drive.

Because she had Ari to look after, Millie arrived a little late.

When she opened the door to the private room, she was greeted by the sight of Alexia singing and dancing wildly, startling her.

Near her, Giffard stood with a deep frown, clearly at his wit's end.

"Millie, you're finally here!" Alexia said, stopping mid-song and beaming as she walked over. She grabbed a few handsome strangers and pushed them toward Millie.

"Here you go. Your order of eye candy has arrived!"

she said with a mischievous grin.

Millie blinked,completely confused.

Charles, standing nearby, was equally dumbfounded.

"Alexia..." Millie tried to speak, but Alexia pinched her arm and leaned in.

"I thought Giffard wouldn't show up. He was supposed to be on night duty. But he switched shifts at the last minute. Please, help me out, or I'm dead meat!"

"Alexia!" Giffard snapped, "You're whisperinginto a microphone. Do you think I'm deaf?"①

"I'm doomed, Millie!" Alexia wailed theatrically."This is the end!"

Millie couldn't help but laugh.

What a character!

Giffard chased his sister around the room while Seville took over the microphone and got the crowd hyped up.

Sheridan couldn't make it tonight, so Seville offered his apologies on his behalf.

Meanwhile, Charles walked over to Millie and poured her a drink.

"So, how's your first day post-divorce?" he asked with a light smile.

Millie took the glass and downed it in one go."Absolutely fabulous," she said with a grin.

The group burst out laughing.

The handsome escorts ended up staying. They might as well help liven the atmosphere.

"I swear I won't do this again, Giffard! No more boys!" Alexia shouted as she ran.

"You'd better not!" he replied,still chasing her.

Just outside, Darden happened to pass by the room.

The door was slightly open, and the sounds of music and laughter spilled into the hallway.

"Sounds like they're having fun," Darden remarked to the people with him.

They nodded,amused.

Darden didn't think much of it. He led his group to the next room, glancing at his phone.

He was about to text Brandon to ask when he'd join them when a notification popped up-

#BrandonVivianCandlelightDinner.

He tapped it and then chuckled. "Well, that's romantic."

···

Inside the room, Millie had just closed the door and sank into the sofa with a deep sigh.

"Feels good to unwind for once," she said, taking another sip of her drink.

For the moment, she had let go of all the weight she carried. It was a rare night to simply breathe and unwind.

Charles smiled and sat beside her. "I thought so too.But this is just the beginning. Once the Heavenly Melody finals are over, we should take Ari out for a real celebration."

Millie nodded in agreement. But that would have to wait until after Ari's surgery and recovery.

Tonight, she didn't want to think about any of that.Tonight was just for her.

"Let's dance," she said.

Charles smiled. "Let's go."

They headed down to the dance floor.

The space was packed. The crowd moved together,the dim lights pulsing in time with the music.

Surrounding the floor were booths, and in one of them, someone suddenly spit out his drink in shock.

"What's wrong with you?!" someone beside him asked,annoyed.

"Look! Isn't that Millie? Brandon's wife?" the man said, pointing toward the dance floor.

People turned.

Sure enough, there she was-laughing, dancing,completely at ease.

"Well, they're both living wildly!" someone muttered.

"Brandon's having a candlelit dinner with Vivian,and Millie's here partying! Isn't that Charles with her?"

"Looks like it."

Whispers spread like wildfire.

At that moment, Brandon's car pulled up in front of Vivian's apartment building.

He was just planning to drop her. off and then head over to meet Darden.

But Vivian didn't get out right away.

"Brandon," she said softly.

He looked at her.

"Would you like to come in for a bit?" she asked,cheeks flushed. "You're free now... so maybe we could..."