Chapter 216
Vivian hesitated the moment she stepped into the unfamiliar space.
Confusion creased her face as she turned to Millie. "What is this place?" she asked, trying to piece together its purpose. "Millie, why is this here?"
Beneath her steady voice, anger made her hands tremble.
Just earlier, her assistant had warned her that Brandon had already tried to get in touch, but they'd ignored all his calls and acted as if nothing had happened.
Every door they might need was unlocked ahead of time, a precaution in case Brandon decided to reset any of the codes.
At the same time, the chats on both Vivian's and Millie's live streams were exploding, messages flooding in faster than anyone could read.
Myron's reaction was instant as he shot to his feet as soon as he saw what happened.
Gone was his usual polished composure.
A standard bathroom outside meant this inner room was clearly intended for the couple's private use.
After all, this was once supposed to be Millie and Brandon's home.
No furniture filled the space now, but the intimate design left plenty for people's imaginations to run wild.
It didn't take much to ruin a woman's reputation. Just the suggestion of slut-shaming alone could do lasting damage.
This small,secluded bathroom was more than enough fuel for rumors to start flying.
Even though Millie stood there fully dressed and her marriage to Brandon long over, there would always be those eager to twist the truth.
Myron's frustration boiled over.
He wasted no time, grabbing his phone to contact the streaming platform and demand Vivian's broadcast be shut down immediately.
"Just checking, my live stream won't get shut down, right?" Vivian asked, forcing a shaky smile. "I mean,there's really nothing to see here. If they cut the stream over this..."
"This is my very first luxury villa flower arrangement-stream," she added, trying to sound sweet and harmless, hinting that she could be treated unjustly simply because she was up against Millie. "Wouldn't it be a shame if it ended now?"
Vivian turned her gaze to Millie's side of the live stream and called out, "Millie,any thoughts on this?"
Meanwhile, chats exploded on both live streaming rooms, their comments blending into a frenzy. "Looks like the couple's getting cozy." "Vivian, what are youdoing in their private bathroom?"
Millie's expression turned cold.
"I don't run the live stream platform, Vivian, so that's not my call," Millie replied coolly. "As for this room, it's just an extra space off the main bathroom. For all anyone knows, it could be a closet."
Millie immediately saw through Vivian's real angle-Vivian was baiting her, hoping Millie-or maybe someone else-would jump in and end her stream.
If Vivian's broadcast suddenly ended, people would immediately blame Millie for it. Speculation would spread that Millie sabotaged Vivian's stream just to avoid losing. People would start believing she couldn't take defeat.
That sort of label would stick, and from then on, every future victory for Millie would be dismissed as a hollow victory.
People would be quick to judge. "She flaunts her wins, but when things go south, she just bends the rules. If that's allowed, then why shouldn't everyone else cheat, too?"
Meanwhile, Myron watched the drama unfold and paused, deciding not to force the livestream offline after all.
His frustration deepened as he tried to call Brandon, only to be met with a dead line
Brandon, at that moment, was still airborne in the helicopter.
"Let her do whatever she wants," Millie said to her walkie-talkie as she stepped away from the camera. "Al that's special about this place is the design. When I moved out, I took everything with me."
The furniture and keepsakes were gone, but the layout still echoed memories.
Luckily, aside from the bathroom's suspicious decor, there wasn't anything else remotely scandalous left behind.
For a while, neither said a word.
With the live stream still running, the private conversation had to be brief.
The camera captured only Millie's back, showing she hadn't left, but her quiet voice was lost to the audience.
Eventually, Myron's concern crackled through the line. "Hey Millie, is everything okay with you?"
What he really wanted to ask was whether she wanted to continue or not.
But Myron already knew that Millie wasn't one to quit that easily.
"I'm good," Millie replied, her eyes hard with resolve.
"Good" was an understatement-she was set on coming out on top.
Vivian had dragged her name through the mud for everyone to see. Letting that slide wasn't an option.
Yet...
A moment of hesitation flickered in Millie's eyes as she looked down.
Vivian's attempts at public humiliation were one thing, but nowN the gossip had shifted. Everyone was talking about Myron's relationship with her.
After people saw the bathroom, the narrative had changed, and they were whispering nasty things.
One comment, in particular, cut deep. "Seven years with Brandon. Millie's got nothing left to give. Myron must be regretting it all now!"
The thought of how Myron might feel gnawed at her.
"Hey, don't overthink it." Myron's gentle voice broke through the device, warmth woven through every word.Almost as if he could sense her worries.
Footsteps echoed in the background before he spoke again, softer this time. "Millie, look up here."
Raising her head, Millie caught sight of Myron standing by the upstairs glass, watching over her.
"Millie, I 'love you-no matter the circumstance, no matter what's happening. Out of everything in my life,being your boyfriend is what I cherish most. I'm right here for you, and that will never change."
Tears threatened to well up in her eyes.
He really had never left her side, not for a second.
All those years, he'd always been there.
A wave of emotion nearly broke her composure, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes.
Steadying herself, she finally whispered,"| know."
"You've got this, Millie," he said gently."Stick to your own plan. Losing just isn't in your nature."
A small,genuine smile touched Millie's lips.
She'd never once doubted her own strength.
Still,knowing there was someone in her corner-someone who believed in her, no matter what-brought a warmth she hadn't felt in ages.
Setting aside the walkie-talkie, Millie stepped back into the camera's framne.
Vivian appeared on the live stream as well, her smile brittle, eyes betraying a hínt of triumph.
"Millie, where'd you disappear to just now?" Vivian asked, her tone a mix of feigned confusion and sly amusement. "Was my live stream in this tiny bathroom too much for you to handle?"
Millie turned her attention to Vivian from live stream feed.
A clear, radiant light gleamed in her eyes. "I know what people are thinking right now. I'm well aware of what crosses everyone's minds the second they see this bathroom, no matter what words they use in public eventually."
There was a calm strength in the way she held herself, unshaken by judgment.
"There's no need for whispers or gossip. Let's keep it honest," she said, her tone firm but open. "Yes, this place once belonged to me and Brandon. That's the truth."
A bright, confident smile lit up her face.
The comment section went wild, but she held her head high. "And what's so wrong with a married couple sharing a bathroom?"
Vivian's composure faltered, surprise flickering in her eyes.
Before Vivian could say anything else, Millie lifted her hand in a graceful wave.
A staff member immediately stepped forward with a small tray.
"I asked someone to bring over a couple of things," Millie announced, fixing Vivian with a steady look. She knew these were the very items Vivian had always been curious about.
Confusion crossed Vivian's face. "What are you up to?"
Millie chose not to respond. With everyone watching, she moved toward a display platform set up nearby.
While the outer area showcased vintage street photos from 1935, this corner was reserved for more recent memories.
illie paused beside the platform, where a display frame was waiting.
With deliberate care, she pulled out two documents.
She slid them into place for everyone to see.
One was her marriage certificate. The other was her finalized divorce papers.