Chapter 65

Across the Internet, the news report exploded in popularity.

On this occasion, media outlets took care to shield the child's identity-every image and detail about the minor was blurred beyond recognition. The only photograph to surface showed Millie from a distance,her hand clasped with a small child wearing a backpack.

Maybe that extra caution came from a desire to avoid crossing Brandon.

Even so, the story sent shockwaves through online communities.

"Wait, when did Millie become a mother?"

"Yeah, hasn't it only been a year since her wedding to Brandon? How could there be a child? Did they have the child before getting married? No one ever said anything about her giving birth though."

"One report says the kid is already old enough for school,but isn't Millie only twenty-five herself?"

"Is this another one of Millie's ploys? Now that Brandon and Vivian are spending more time together,she stirs the pot wvith a stunt like this!"

"I'm convinced-maybe she even engineered the viral story on purpose!"

"This is just too much. Can't she wait six more months?Vivian's only been given half a year left to live!"

The gossip raged on everywhere,and meanwhile,at Vivian Floral Design, Vivian's fury boiled over as she slammed her glass down with a sharp crack.

Without a word, the cleaning crew swept away every shard of glass and slipped out of the room.

Vivian reached for her phone, dialing with steady fingers. "Tell me the truth. How did she suddenly turn up with a child?"

The reply was muffled but urgent, "We're in the dark for now. We'll have to look into it. The whole thing feels off. If she's been hiding a child for years,Brandon would surely have known. Are you thinking of questioning him?"

"Is that what you're suggesting?" Vivian's eyes glinted,sharp as glass. "You believe this story isn't real?"

"There's a good chance it isn't," the voice answered, not missing a beat. "Talk to Brandon. No matter what you find out, there are ways to manage the fallout."

A few seconds ticked by before the voice quietly said,"Vivian, whatever happens, I've got your back."

Vivian exhaled, letting some of the tension slip from her shoulders. She pressed the button to end the call.

She started to pace, thoughts racing as she considered every possible outcome.

Maybe Millie truly did have a child, though that hardly made sense. Brandon had always wanted kids. They got married last year, so there would have been no reason to hide a child if one existed.

Of course,it could be that the child had nothing to do with Millie at all.

But what would she gain from all this?

The answer snapped into place, and Vivian broke into a sudden laugh.

Clearly, Millie had come to terms with the fact that Vivian's reputation could not be overshadowed,so she decided to hatch this new plan.

A wave of amusement flickered across Vivian's eyes as the idea settled in her mind. "Never thought you'd be so naive, Millie," Vivian muttered under her breath. She then scanned her contacts for Brandon's number and tapped the screen to call.

Meanwhile, inside the Watson Group's executive office, Eugene approached Brandon's desk and offered a tablet. "Mr. Watson, here's the newest update. I've followed your instructions and had a reporter dig for extra details."

Brandon scrolled through the screen, taking in a mix of online rumors and exclusive information passed along by the reporter.

"The little girl in question looks to be around four or five," said Eugene, picking up the thread. "She was photographed alongside Mrs. Watson at the entrance of a kindergarten. I made sure everything was wiped from the web, just as you wanted. People may still be talking online, but there will be no more details."

Even in this digital age, celebrity spotters lurked everywhere, eager to sell any tidbit for the right price.

Clearly, this was one of those moments.

A photograph on the screen caught Millie kneeling down to tidy the little girl's clothes, just as the child called out, "Mommy," in a gentle voice. This image was unfiltered and raw, the source of all the recent rumors.

A faint crease formed between Brandon's brows as he wondered about Millie's intentions.

The appearance of a little girl puzzled him-when did she come into the picture?

He reached for his phone, planning to speak to Millie,but a sudden vibration stopped him.

Vivian's name flashed on the screen.

He took a brief moment to consider, and then accepted her call.

"Brandon, did you happen to read the news online today?" Vivian's question drifted through,her tone soft and uncertain, tugging at his empathy.

Brandon wasted no time getting to the point."You mean the situation involving Millie?"

"That's right," Vivian answered, her words faltering as she continued. "Brandon, is that little girl yours and Millie's?"

Brandon's mind sifted through memories. For seven years, Millie had always been near. If a child had ever existed, he could not have missed it. He let out a short breath. "I honestly don't know, but I doubt it."

Vivian's next words sounded gentle and slightly muttered, "Brandon, please don't worry about me. If you and Millie did have a child, I'd understand. After everything you've shared, it's not unusual. I... I really wouldn't mind."

She faded into silence, and an uneasy quiet settled between them.

Silence lingered for half a minute before Vivian quietly murmured,"Forget it."

With his gaze drifting to the sky outside his office window, Brandon watched the slow parade of clouds."I'll get to the bottom of this."

No reply came from Vivian, not even a faint echo of her usual encouragement.

A tremor in her voiceslipped through the line as she admitted,"Brandon, I have no wish to cause her pain.My time is running short, and there isn't much left that I desire. All I ever wanted was your love. If this situation brings her sorrow, Brandon, please return to her side. I'll be all right."

Tears tightened her words, but she managed to hold herself together. Back at her studio, however, Vivian's face was bright with cheer,masking everything inside.

Releasing someone could sometimes carry more weight than clinging to them.

It did not take long for Brandon's reply to break the silence.

"You can trust me to deal with this," said Brandon."Take care of yourself, Vivian."

At that very moment, Millie sat in front of her own screen, studying every headline that had appeared.

Once she felt certain that every trace of the news had vanished online, Millie finally set her phone aside.

The sight of a crayon sketch nearby drew a gentle smile to her lips.

Just days earlier, discovering the bottle of pills in the car and thinking of her lost child had triggered another mental breakdown.

She set aside everything and went to Rita's office.

Emotions surged,leaving her unsteady as she walked inside. "You're not yourself right now," said Rita, watching her closely. "I've seen some things online, but I never imagined you'd have to endure the loss of a child,too."

Inside her office, sympathy softened Rita's expression.

Seated across from her doctor, Millie looked drained,her eyes vacant assilent tears slid down her cheeks.

"What am I supposed to do?" she whispered. "I just feel so empty, and it hurts. Dr. Carpenter, is there a pill for this sadness?"

A sigh slipped from Rita's lips.

Over just a few days, the decline in Millie's health had become obvious.

"Recovery takes time," Rita replied. "I'll give you something to help you calm down for now. How does that sound?"

An acute episode had gripped Millie, and if things spiraled further, electroconvulsive therapy might become necessary-she would need a family member with her for that.

From what Rita remembered, Millie's only options were her mother or her husband, Brandon.