Chapter 231

Millie and Myron arrived with Ari just as night had fully settled.

Ari clutched the cat, pressing her forehead to its soft fur in a playful game. Her large, round eyes sparkled with affection.

Myron carried Ari as he walked beside Millie.

The moment they stepped inside, conversations briefly paused.

The three of them-with the cat in tow-looked every bit like a picture-perfect family.

A faint shadow crossed Giffard's eyes, gone almost as soon as it appeared, hidden behind his usual calm.

Charles, on the other hand, smiled lightly. "Ari, don't you like me anymore? You didn't run over to me like before."

Myron chuckled, setting Ari down and gently patting her head.

Still hugging the cat, Ari skipped over.

"Look, this is Orange!" she said, holding the cat toward Charles.

Before he could respond, the cat reached out and pressed a paw to his face, as if turning him down.

Laughter rippled around the room, breaking the earlier tension.

The mood warmed, and dinner carried on as usual.

Charles raised his glass in a toast to Millie's latest success.

"The tide's turning online. People are demanding answers from Vivian, and she's still silent. Her reputation may not survive this."

"What she did was vile!" Alexia burst out.

The others joined in condemning Vivian's recent live stream.

Millie felt a quiet warmth in her chest.

These friends stood by her through everything. She hoped they would stay this way forever.

Halfway through the meal, Millie excused herself to the restroom.

When she returned, Charles stood in the hallway,looking torn.

"What's the matter, Charles?" she asked.

He led her to the far end of the corridor.

Under the soft lights, the wind stirred the leaves outside the window. Charles' face, as striking as ever,was calm but unreadable.

"You really like Myron? And it's not just to get away from Brandon or for some other reason?" he asked quietly.

Millie's lips pressed together.

The day had come-this was a talk she knew she couldn't avoid.

"Hard to answer?" he asked when she stayed silent.

She shook her head. "No. I'm just thinking of how to put it."

Charles smiled faintly. "What's there to fear? I don't bite."

She thought about it. For all his temper, Charles wasn't really frightening. She knew that he was really a good man.

Her shoulders eased. She met his gaze and spoke firmly. "Yes, I like him."

His smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly masked it. "Really?"

Her eyes didn't waver. "Yeah, really. Charles, the old me died the night I was pushed down the stairs. I'm not that woman anymore."

Her voice held no hint of a smile. This was something that had to be said clearly, leaving no space for false hope.

"I've long let go of Brandon," she continued."Liking Myron came after-it's separate from all that."

"You fell for him just because of those few dates?"he asked with a frown.

"Yes. Because of those dates."

Charles looked like he had more to say, but the words never came.

Millie sighed. "For seven years, I was tired and numb.I thought I couldn't love anymore. Then he came along-patient, careful-and somehow, I felt alive again."

Charles no longer looked playful. His eyes were shaded with something closer to sadness.

"Charles," she said softly, but stopped there.

They simply looked at each other until Charles gave a small,resigned smile.

"Alright," he said with a nod.

She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was

holding.

Charles' gaze shifted past her.

She turned and saw Giffard standing quietly behind.

He walked over, giving Millie's shoulder a gentle pat before looking at Charles. The two men exchanged a silent glance.

"Next week, the Watson Group launches their new product. Oakley might use the chance to sell those stocks he holds. My people will boe watching.Once the funds circle back, we'll have proof," Charles changed the subject and looked at Millie.

Charles reminded himself not to think too far ahead.Working with Millie already gave him the upper hand in his family's feud. Wishing for more would be greedy.

Since she had someone she liked, he should offer his blessings.

Giffard let out a quiet sigh. "The international seminar in Flaville is coming up. I'll use it to look

deeper into Vivian."

"Thank you, Giffard. I know it's a lot to ask," Millie said.

"It's nothing. Don't mention it." Giffard smiled.

She knew it wasn't easy, and she knew he helped because he cared for her.

But to her, he was just like her big brother-and she had told him so.

If he'd overheard her conversation with Charles,there was nothing more to say.

She left them to talk and went back inside.

There, Myron was feeding Ari with the ease of a seasoned father.

Hearing her, he glanced over, his eyes saying more than his words.

"You're back?" Myron asked.

"Yeah." Millie nodded.

They exchanged a silent understanding.

Across the table, Alexia sighed.

It was clear her brother had no chance.

Dinner wrapped up soon after.

Before heading home, Myron took Millie and Ari to the rooftop garden.

Ari still held the cat tight.

Myron placed her gently on the swing chair,and then took Millie's hand.

"I've been planning this for a while. Now it's finally time," he said.

"What is it?" she asked, curious.

He turned to Ari. "Hold the cat tight-there might be some noise."

"Okay!" Ari grinned, her eyes sparkling. She already knew, as Myron had told her during dinner.

Millie glanced between them, puzzled, when

suddenly, a swarm of drones lifted into the night sky,their lights glittering above.