Chapter 178

Millie looked at Vivian and smiled. "Why do you think I will choose not to reveal the truth?"

Vivian froze, as if hit by something she didn't see coming."What?"

Brandon stood beside them, frowning at Millie. Was this all a trick?

She had just mentioned needing money. That made it seem like she was ready to give in.

But Millie stayed calm, her expression steady.

"Some things can't be patched up with a simple sorry."Her voice came out raspy.

No matter the reason, hurt was still hurt.

"I won't sell my right of attribution. If you came here hoping I'd change my mind, then you'll be disappointed," she said.

Vivian opened her mouth, but Millie gave a quiet laugh."You were the ones who pushed me into selling the song."

She paused and turned slightly, eyes meeting Vivian's."But I didn't force you to infringe."

With that, Millie stood and prepared to leave. Charles stood beside her, a smug look on his face.

"Eva," Brandon called from behind.

Millie didn't stop or turn.

"I hope you'll reconsider. You've got talent. If we can settle this, Watson Group is willing to invest in your future," his voice followed her.

But the girl in the frog mascot costume walked straight out of the meeting room.

Vivian watched her go, fury twisting her face.

Eva was clearly using their conflict to strike a better deal.

And Brandon...

Vivian glanced at him.

What was going through his mind?

"Let's head back," Brandon said.

Vivian quickly adjusted her expression, trying to look upset instead of angry.

"Hold off on the film for now. I'll get you into other projects," Brandon added, still staring after the frog.What exactly was Eva trying to pull?

Vivian didn't respond.

Maybe to Brandon, any project would do. But not for her. "Love of Vivian" was special.

It had to succeed. It had to shine. Only then could she fully outshine Millie and win the Watson family's approval.

She needed a plan.

Elsewhere, Millie turned to Charles. "To defeat someone, first drive them crazy."

People only valued things they earned with effort.

When something came too easy, it always raised suspicion.

Millie took off the frog costume and looked up at the sky.

Charles followed her gaze as he removed his own costume, admiring her profile. "What are you looking at?"

"The weather's nice today," she said. Perfect for her first date with Myron.

Charles looked at the sky and nodded. "Yeah. It is."

Later that day, Millie changed into a soft blue dress.

At dusk, Myron's car pulled up outside her apartment building.

In his anxious yet eager eyes, she climbed in,and they drove to the harbor.

"I was a little worried earlier. I thought you might back out," Myron said after they arrived.

"Why would I?" Millie smiled at him.

She had been looking forward to it.

They got out and walked to the restaurant.

The evening was beautiful. The sea stretched wide and blue,meeting the warm orange sky.

Their table was in a quiet corner of the restaurant.

Myron had planned this evening long ago.

As they walked and talked, neither noticed the reporters hiding nearby, snapping away in secret.

"I heard Myron booked a restaurant to charm some mystery woman. Jackpot! Keep clicking!"

"Yeah, later we'll sneak in dressed as staff and get a clear shot of her face!"

Millie and Myron eventually arrived at a quiet, secluded part of the restaurant.

The place actually had two parts-above and below sea level.

He led her down to the underwater section.

Through clear glass walls, they could see fish gliding by in a calm, dreamy world.

As they sat, Millie spotted a few fish hovering near the glass.

While Myron chatted briefly with the chef, Millie touched the glass out of curiosity.

The fish twitched and then quickly darted away

Myron noticed.

He gestured for the chef and the wait staff to leave and turned to her.

"Give me your hand," he said.

Millie thought for a second, and then offered the hand that had touched the glass.

"Now your index finger," he said.

She extended it.

He took her hand and gently pressed her fingertip against the glass.

"Now watch," he said.

To her surprise, the fish swam toward her fingertip.More followed, swirling together, forming a beautiful scene in the quiet water.

The motion stirred the water, and the soft lights made it feel like magic-like she was underwater herself.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

The glass was cool under her finger, but his palm was warm.

Millie turned and saw his gentle smile. She nodded with a smile of her own.

"How did you do that?" she asked.

He let go of her hand, signaling her to check her finger.

It sparkled slightly.

"The fish are drawn to this glittering powder," he explained.

So that was it.

Millie looked at her fingertip, and then touched the glass again. The fish came right back.

"It's amazing," she whispered

"Years ago, I ran into all kinds of strange creatures at sea. If you're curious, I can tell you more," he said.

"I'd love that," Millie said with a nod.

She traveled a lot for work, but most of it was by air.The sea was still a mystery to her.

He began telling stories-about rare creatures,minerals, and distant places she'd never been.

She listened, more relaxed than she had felt in a long time.

There were no games here. No overthinking. Just his voice and the sea.

"Once, in Eldoria, I saw something the locals called 'Blue Rain.' It fellall night-glowing,gentle,beautiful,"

he said.

"What was that like? Did you take pictures?" she asked,caught in the wonder of it.

"I'll show you," he said, reaching out his hand.

She looked at it, hesitated for a beat, and then placed her hand in his.

He smiled and held it tightly, guiding her back above sea level.

By now, night had fallen.

As they climbed the steps, Millie saw it.

Near the shore, beneath the soft glow of lights, a small patch of Blue Rain was falling.

Not like the sky's blue-this was glowing, magical, like something from a dream.

She reached out, catching a few drops in her palm.

It felt unreal, like a scene from a fairy tale.