Chapter 232

A quick glance from Millie revealed the drones shifting into position, slowly shaping themselves into a massive ring in the sky.

Beneath that glowing loop, more drones flickered to life, sketching the delicate outline of a woman's smiling profile.

Fireworks burst to life, their flames unfurling from the outer edge of the ring.

They came in brilliant shades of white and blue,flaring like shimmering tassels across the dark canvas above. Wisps of smoke drifted over the woman's image, giving her the illusion of a gauzy veil -mysterious, breathtaking, and alive with light.

A rush of sound followed as streaks of color shot up from the ground, exploding in dazzling blooms that framed the veiled face in the sky.

From every corner of the city, more fireworks joined the spectacle.

Each sharp boom echoed across Crobert, rolling over rooftops and streets alike.

Against the night, the skyline was awash with color,and the drones kept climbing, painting intricate,shifting designs that felt both futuristic and otherworldly.

Never before had Crobert witnessed such a show.Not even the fireworks from Brandon and Millie's wedding could compare.

The entire horizon shimmered.

From sidewalks to balconies, people tilted their heads toward the sky, murmuring in awe, their phones raised to capture the magic before it faded.

Farther away, Charles steered his car down the road,catching glimpses of the spectacle in his windshield before glancing toward the rooftop garden.

A sudden vibration in his pocket pulled him from

view.

"Interested in discussing a collaboration?" the message read.

Jayceon's name flashed on the screen.

Charles hesitated, his fingers still.

Another message appeared. "My brother wanted me to reach out. You have nothing to worry about-our families have plenty in common, and we'd work well together. Among your brothers, you have our full support."

A faint, wry smile touched Charles' lips.

So this was Myron's plan to keep him quiet? To stop him from ever telling Millie how he felt?

It was really unnecessary, though. For Charles Millie's happiness mattered more than anything-and he'd do whatever it took< to protect it.

The idea of discussing a partnership didn't seemn half bad.

Turning down a solid business opportunity would be pure foolishness.

With that in mind, Charles typed a reply to Jayceon before steering his car into a U-turn.

Meanwhile, the car carrying Alexia and Giffard eased away from its spot and rolled onto the road.

With Giffard at the wheel, the glow of the traffic light ahead shifted to red, forcing the car to slow.

From the passenger seat, Alexia's gaze drifted between the fireworks bursting above and the man beside her.

"Giffard," Alexia said softly,a trace of worry in her tone.

"What is it?" he answered without glancing over.

A long breath escaped her before she finally voiced her thoughts. "It looks like Millie and Myron are serious now. You..."

"I'll be in Flaville next weekend for the seminar." His

voice cut in, ending her sentence before it coud finish.

Her lips parted again, but no convincing words came.

"Relax." Giffard kept his attention fixed on the glowing night sky ahead.

"This trip has been on my calendar for a while. It's not changing. And about Millie-I'll take care of it."

All Alexia could do was shake her head.

이 know exactly what you're trying to say." The light turned green, and the car moved forward. "But even if it's just because v/e grew up together and she's always treated me like family, I still have to do this."

Once he dealt with things, Millie's happiness-and whoever she chose to share it with-would be entirely her own decision.

"Alright." Alexia gave a small nod.

Still watching the glittering display above, she asked,"Will you still cook for her?"

Millie might have thought their household had hired a new chef,but the truth was, Giffard had been the one who cooked her those dishes all along.

"You're overthinking, silly girl." Giffard's chuckle was warm. "Even if things between her and me don't work out, it's not like we will stop being friends. I'm not that childish."

Hearing that, Alexia finally let out the breath she'd been holding, though a touch of embarrassment lingered on her face.

Without another word, Giffard reached over to ruffle her hair before returning his focus to the road.

Above them, the sky kept bursting into color. Inside a suite at the international hotel, Egbert cradled a glass of red wine, the amber light glinting off a small wooden fox sculpture resting on the table nearby.

Earlier, he had caught the live broadcast and learned that Millie had accepted Myron's proposal.

A faint, helpless smile touched his lips at the

memory.

"Just a little late in coming back, and I've already missed everything," he murmured to himself. "Millie...are you certain this is the right choice? Is he really the one for you? And me... who will be the one for me?"

Meanwhile, on the rooftop garden, the night unfolded in dazzling color. In Millie's eyes, the reflection of drones and fireworks shimmered, rising and falling over the cityscape.

Her gaze followed the veil-like bursts that drifted over the woman's profile in the sky, the glowing blooms in the distance, and the ring brought forth by the great whale display.

Then came a sight that made her breath hitch-her own name spelled out against the vast night sky.

"Is that... me?" Millie's voice was barely above a whisper.

Myron gave a slow nod, his hand reaching for hers.

"As I've always wanted," he said. "Millie, I want to take away everything that man ever did to hurt you.Every scar he left-I'll heal it."

His fingers closed firmly around hers, holding on with a strength that left no room for doubt.

"From this night forward, whenever you see fireworks or a ring, let it remind you of this moment. And when you think of the one you love, know that it's me."

For the first time, there was something fiercely possessive in his tone.

Millie tore her gaze away from the fireworks and focused on him instead.

In those slightly reddened eyes, her own reflection shimmered back at her from the depths of his pupils.

A small flutter stirred in her chest.

Memories returned of the day he had taken her to that chamber, showing her all the paintings as if

revealing a piece of his soul.

He had loved her for so many years, and his patience had matched that devotion.

Heat welled in her eyes, and she let a soft smile form.

"Alright," she said quietly.

Myron's own lips curved, though his eyes glistened.He drew her closer, unable to look at anything but her.

After swallowing the lump in his throat, he cupped her head and pressed his lips to hers.

This was not a gentle kiss.

It came with an urgency that stole her breath, his arms locking around her as though he meant to fuse her into himself.

Overhead, the fireworks roared and scattered in brilliant bursts, but Millie no longer knew where she V/as.

The only things she felt were the heat of his body

and the searing warmth of his breath.

Far below, in the street, Brandon sat behind the wheel of his car, looking up at the night sky-and at the couple locked in that kiss. Every fiber in him wanted to break them apart.

Vivian's voice echoed in his mind, holding him back.

The promise he had made kept him in place, hoping she would never speak of the past again.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles blanched, the ache in his chest nearly unbearable. Pulling out his phone, he opened Millie's chat.

"I'll hand over the Bennett family's assets without question. I'll uncover the truth about your father's death. I'll treat you right, Millie. Don't choose him,don't get engaged to him. Please...wait for me."