Chapter 182

Brandon felt like he was on the verge of losing his mind.

None of it made sense. He couldn't understand how things had unraveled so fast.

He remembered Darden gossiping a few days earlier,talking about how Myron was pursuing a mysterious woman.A woman who had a child-a little girl.

He also remembered running into Myron at the mall.Myron was buying gifts for a little girl. And all those things he said about the woman he was pursuing.

At the time, those details hadn't meant anything.But now, everything made sense and pointed to Millie.

When had it started? Was it during the music show?Was that when the two of them began to cross paths and grow feelings?

He recalled the whispered comments from the Elliott trio and the look Myron had given him back then.

It all connected. And it was driving him mad.

"Millie, are you doing this on purpose?" His grip on her shoulder tightened. He wasn't even aware his reopened wound had stained her dress. "Is this because of what happened with Vivian-"

Before he could finish, someone yanked him back.

He turned, face twisted in fury, only to find Myron now standing between him and Millie.

"Myron!" The name tore from his throat. One look at him, and Brandon was nearly consumed by rage.

But Myron didn't even glance at him. He looked at Millie and said, "Your apartment didn't light up, so l came to check on you."

She hadn't messaged him like she usually did. That alone was enough to raise concern. He had circled the area, spotted Brandon's car parked in the shadows, and come straight upstairs.

"We've always kept to our own lanes, Myron. You-"Brandon began.

"Millie, go inside," Myron said gently, still ignoring him. "I'll take care of this."

Millie looked from one man to the other.

Only after Myron gave her a reassuring nod did she turn and unlock her door.

She had said everything she needed to.

She trusted Myron to handle what came next.

The door closed behind her with a gentle thud.

Now it was just the two of them.

Brandon stared at the closed door. His jaw was tight,and he looked as if he might lunge again.

"We don't need to make a scene here. Let's talk in the stairwell," Myron said, already turning to walk away.

Brandon didn't follow right away. He stayed rooted,

eyes still fixed on the door, his anger simmering.

But he knew Millie wouldn't open it again.

And Myron was still standing there, waiting.

After a long pause, Brandon took a deep breath,forcing himself to follow.

The stairwell was dim, lit only by the green glow of the emergency exit sign. The space was quiet,tense.

Brandon faced Myron for the first time with real hostility. Until now, he had only seen him as just another business rival. But this was personal.

"What did you do with her today?" he asked.

Myron's response was calm. "We went on a date."

Just those few words made Brandon feel like something inside him might snap.

"A date?"he echoed.

"That's right. It's not exactly a secret. Everyone online is now talking about it."

Brandon let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "You really think I don't see what you're doing? Your family has always been beneath mine. And now you're using her to get to me, trying to bring down the Watson Group?"

Myron didn't respond.

"Stay away from Millie," Brandon said, stepping forward.

Myron didn't flinch. He lowered his gaze slightly,and then looked back up.

"You've had more than your share of meals with Vivian," he said. "And you can't handle me having just one with Millie?"

As he spoke, Myron stepped forward until he stood toe to toe with Brandon.

"I do want my family to succeed," he said. "But that has nothing to do with me going out with Millie. I care about her. If I wanted to take you down, I have other ways. Trust me."

Brandon looked at him like he'd just heard the world's most absurd joke.

"You like her?" he scoffed. "Don't make me laugh."

"I do." Myron's smile turned cold. "It's not a joke. I told you before. I've liked her for a long time.I think about her day and night. And you should know you're not the only man in this world, and you certainly don't get to decide who's worthy of her."

He met Brandon's eyes, clear and unwavering. "I like the way she thinks. The way she carries herself.I respect her, even the parts that aren't perfect.I understand her better than you ever did. All you ever did was dismiss her."

Brandon's smile faded.

He said nothing,just stared.

Myron didn't break eye contact.

The silence stretched.

"Did she put you up to this?" Brandon finally asked.

Myron only laughed.

Something in that sound made the truth sink in.

Brandon exhaled,jaw tight.

"She was with me for seven years," Brandon said.

"|know."

"We had a child." Brandon clenched his fists.

"I know that too," Myron replied, his voice steady.

Brandon's chest rose and fell with each breath. He didn't look away.

"You think you know her better than I do? | spent seven years beside her, not you!" he spat. "She's mine. I've seen every side of her. I've held her through things you couldn't begin to understand."

He kept talking, the words pouring out like venom.

"When she cried in my arms, you were probably still out drifting on some yacht."

Myron's face darkened.

The glow from the sign above threw sharp shadows over his expression. He stepped forward, grabbed Brandon by the collar, and slammed him into the wall.

Brandon let out a breathless laugh. "That hit a nerve?" he whispered, bloodshot eyes full of fury."She's mine. And she always will be."

Myron looked at him. Then he smiled. But his eyes were cold.Ice cold.