Chapter 184

After repeating the words several times, Brandon suddenly seemed to find strength.

He wiped the tears from his face, as if reaching a decision. Then he started the car and drove off.

At home, Millie sat alone on the couch.

She had overheard Brandon's conversation with Myron.

Though she had already stepped inside like Myron suggested, she sneaked out later and watched them from a distance, worried a confrontation might break out.

Her phone vibrated, puling her out of her thoughts.

She glanced down. Charles was calling.

After a moment's hesitation, she answered.

Charles asked about her date night with Myron, and she didn't hold back. She told him about the agreement she had with Myron.

"So, are you thinking of being with him?" Charles asked.

"I don't know," Millie said, her gaze resting on the lamp beside her. "We've only just started talking. It's too soon to tell."

"Millie..." Charles said her name, but then fell silent.

After a pause, he asked, "We're still friends, right?"

"Of course," she replied with a small nod. "We have been for a long timne."

"Good. I was afraid you'd leave me behind if you ended up with Myron and focus on your new relationship." Charles sounded relieved.

"Why would that happen?" Millie gave a soft laugh.

After the call ended, Charles stared at his phone in silence. Then, slowly, he smiled.

They had always been close friends and business partners. That wasn't going to change.

Not long after, Millie received another call. This time it was Alexia. She gave her friend the same explanation she gave Charles.

Once the calls were over, she went to freshen up.Then she turned her thoughts to the Elliott Group's latest product launches.

At the same time, Vivian sat fuming.

"Isn't Charles enough for her? Now she's dragging Myron in too, just to go against me?" She scoffed."Not happening."

She was too busy dealing with Eva for now. Once that was done, Millie would have no place left to stand.

Vivian already had a plan. That thought made her feel better.

As the online chatter kept growing, she reached out to Johnny.

Before long, a new topic began trending:#MillieMyronAffair.

The post tied together Jayceon's presence in each Heavenly Melody's live stage, Elliott Group's last minute sponsorship, and suspicions of insider trading. It hinted that Millie and Myron went a long way back and the Elliott family might be pulling strings behind Serena's success.

The rumor spread quickly, fueled by Johnny's team.

But just as the discussion was gaining traction,Myron made a public statement.

"There's no affair. No insider trading. My brother Jayceon is just a regular fan. And Serena's performance on Heavenly Melody truly impressed me. I only approached Millie after her divorce. I'm pursuing Millie now, but she hasn't agreed to be with me yet."

With Myron speaking up himself, the rumors lost momentum almost instantly.

People's attention shifted.He hadn't succeeded yet?

"I heard he was chasing some mystery woman.Now it makes sense"

"So it's Millie? And she hasn't said yes yet? Poor guy."

"The timeline fits."

"After watching Serena on Heavenly Melody, I get it.Anyone would fall for her."

No one questioned the timing or mentioned insider trading again. The audience still remembered the backlash Serena faced.

Her win had come from talent alone. No one doubted that anymore.

"Now I want to rewatch Heavenly Melody. It hasn't been that long, has it?"

"Me too. I'll keep an eye out for any scenes with Myron this time."

Later that night, just past 11 p.m., Brandon arrived at Moonlit Estate.

He parked quietly and walked toward the house where his grandparents lived.

They had asked him to come earlier.

When he arrived, Derek looked like he wanted to say something. But after seeing Brandon's expression,he held back.

Instead of scolding him, Derek simply exchanged a look with Norma.

After a long silence, Derek finally asked, "What was the news? Is any of it true?"

Brandon stood still, calm and composed. It was hard to believe he had broken down just hours before.

"Myron is pursuing her," he said in a steady voice."But I think they're simply working together. They want to win this bet and help her reclaim the Bennett assets."

Derek glanced at Norma. She looked thoughtful. "Is that how it is?" she said softly.

It seemed to them Myron was taking this seriously.

"Yeah," Brandon replied, his voice even.

"That's it. Good night, Grandpa. Good night,Grandma," he said politely. Then he turned and walked away.

As he stepped outside, something dripped down from his face.

He reached up. His nose was bleeding. He blamed the dry air.

But a moment later, his vision dimmed. Everything went black and he collapsed.

His grandparents rushed to call their family doctor.

After examining him, the doctor said, "He's just exhausted. He needs rest and proper care."

Derek and Norma exchanged a long, heavy look.

The sun rose quickly the next day, and time moved on.

Two quiet days passed.

That morning, Millie took Ari for her final check-up before the surgery.

Ari had already been admitted to the hospital two days earlier. If everything came back fine after today's exam, they could schedule a surgery for her.

Ari looked anxious. Her small hands were tightly clenched. She kept glancing up at Millie.

"Don't be scared," Millie said, crouching to meet her eyes. "I'll be right outside, waiting for you."

Ari gave a small nod.

" wish I could be like the other kids. Healthy and happy," she said softly.

Her biological parents had abandoned her because of her illness.

Millie pulled her into a gentle hug.

Just then, Giffard walked over and crouched beside them,smiling warmly.

"Don't worry, Ari. It will be over before you know it,"he said, patting her head.

"Dr. Hussain," Ari greeted him with a nervous smile.

Giffard nodded to both of them.

Later that afternoon, it was time for the operation.

Millie walked Ari to the entrance of the operating room and stayed there. Giffard gave her a reassuring nod. Millie managed a small, tense smile and waited quietly outside.

Meanwhile, a black Maybach rolled to a stop outside Crobert Federal Penitentiary. Once it parked,Brandon stepped out.