Chapter 70

Babette paused on purpose, her gaze searching Millie's face. "Millie, even with all this talk swirling around,do you plan on seeing him again?"

Brandon cut in, his brow tightening, "That's enough,Babette. Let's leave it at that. I know the truth-Millie has no connection to that man."

A look of annoyance flashed across Babette's features. "Brandon!"

Nearby,Casimir-recently scolded-remained silent,watching the exchange with a faint,knowing smile.

The Watson family had grown massive over the years,with dozens of new faces in every branch.

Tonight, the turnout was impressive.

With Brandon and Millie always in the spotlight,their presence naturally drew a crowd. As they lingered near the entrance, more and more family members drifted over.

Most of the newcomers were cousins and younger relatives-some close, some from more distant branches.

The elders, meanwhile, had retreated upstairs, sipping their drinks and making small talk as if none of this concerned them.

But Millie wasn't fooled.

The air was thick with hidden agendas-today's family gathering was anything but casual.

All the whispers, pointed questions from Babette, and Casimir's subtle digs? The older generation had orchestrated it all, allowing-and perhaps even encouraging-this quiet interrogation, thanks to the child she'd suddenly been photographed wvith.

"Brandon."

"Millie."

"Good evening, Brandon. Good evening, Millie!"

A group of cousins drifted over, smiles and greetings mingling as they arrived.

A few of them had spouses in tow, their numbers swelling the crowd.

With new faces gathering, Millie decided it was time to clear the air. "Honestly, there's no real mystery," she said. "Like Babette said, Watson Group broke new ground first-that was the real victory. Mr. Perez had resources and connections we needed to move forward,and our deal with him was about lifting a blockade, nothing more. As for the so-called wager..."Millie's voice softened as she glanced down. "There was a bet, but it was just a bit of fun on Mr. Perez's part. It didn't influence the partnership in any meaningful way."

Brandon studied Millie, his gaze lingering.

Memories of Flesta flickered through his mind. In those ten short minutes he'd been called away, he never found out what passed between Millie and Egbert.

He only left to sign the deal. When he returned,all he saw was Millie plunging into icy cold water.

The shock of cold blue,the blood, and the child they lost left a scar that never faded.

Not once, in all the years since, had they dared speak of that night again.

The last thing he ever wanted was to watch her break down in tears like that again.

"That's all there is?" Babette asked, still looking for holes in the story.

"That's everything," Brandon answered before Millie could, his voice firm. "You're wrong about her,Babette. She isn't the person you're making her out to be."

Without another word, he took MMillie's hand and led her away from the crowd.

Babette remained rooted to the spot, fists balled in frustration.

Casimir swirled his wine, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Feeling left out?" Casimir's tone was light but needling. "You always got along best with Brandon.But now, you put him in the middle and wound up pushed aside. Tough break, huh?"

Babette shot him a glare, retorting, "WVhy don't you stay out of it for once?"

As Brandon and Millie slipped away, Millie couldn't help but replay Babette's pointed words in her mind.

One question echoed above the rest-Babette's casual remark-"Millie, have you heard the latest?Word is, Mr. Perez is making his trip to Crobert."

Her brow creased with unease, fingers tightening around the stem of her glass.

With Derek's message that he wouldn't be joining them for dinner, the entire family soon found themselves seated along a sprawling dining table, the evening carrying on.

As always, Millie took her seat right beside Brandon.

Around them, the dinner table buzzed with chatter,silverware chiming and glasses raised in constant toasts.

Halfway through the meal, one of the elders steered the conversation toward the child.

Millie braced herself, half expecting Brandon to join in and question her, but to her surprise, he skillfully sidestepped the subject.

He gave nothing away except, "We'll address that issue for everyone in detail another time."

With Brandon setting the tone, nobody dared press further,limiting themselves to a few indirect, cautious hints.

Stealing a glance at Brandon,Millie watched him serve her more food, his expression steady and composed.

A quiet realization dawned on her.

Despite Brandon's command over the Watson family,conflicts bubbled beneath the surface-alliances shifting, loyalties uncertain. Tonight, as their marriage still appeared intact to the public, he chose to protect her-he had to.

He had done the same earlier, both when Babette brought up the past and just now, when an elder pried about the child.

By the time they entered the dining hall, they'd both left their coats at the door.

Brandon's gaze lingered on her, noting the loose sleeves and pants. Even in clothing that concealed her frame, her recent weight loss was impossible to hide.

She shivered more often these days.

Brandon looked at her and murmured, "Have some more."

Dinner seemed to slip by in no time at all.

Casimir tried digging for information here and there but came up empty every time.

The rest of the family had no better luck.

A sudden vibration interrupted the flow-Brandon checked his phone and saw Derek's name flashing across the screen.

He stood and stepped aside to take the call,leaving Millie at the table.

Babette seized the moment, drifting over to Millie once more.

She plucked a glass of white wine from a passing tray and offered it with a sly tilt of her head.

"What,is the wine not up to your standards?" Babette teased.

Saying nothing,Millie accepted the glass, brought it to her nose, and inhaled the bouquet. The aroma confirmed it-a high-quality vintage.

She let a small sip linger on her tongue and savored the taste.

Babette watched, and then said, "Have another taste.I picked this up in Flesta-it wasn't easy to get, and it definitely wasn't cheap."

With a glint in her eye, she added, "It's also...rather special."

That comment drew Millie's gaze upward, eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity.

Babette only grinned. "Relax. There's nothing in it but wine," she said, a quick laugh escaping her. "Brandon's nearby-I wouldn't dare try anything foolish." Fixing her gaze on Millie, Babette murmured, "I'm only curious if you can pick out what makes this wine stand out."

A puzzled look crossed Millie's face as she took another careful sip.

Despite her efforts, nothing beyond the wine's obvious excellence stood out to her palate.

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell." A quiet apology escaped her lips.

Babette let out a light, almost mischievous laugh.

"So you really haven't a clue," Babette teased.

Confusion swept over Millie. Babette's attitude tonight made no sense, and neither did her cryptic comments.

"If there's something I should know, just tell me,"Millie replied quietly.

Babette only offered a mysterious shake of her head.

Instead, she gestured again, inviting Millie to try the wine once more.

Having already finished one glass, Millie waved off the offer. "I should stop-still need to see Derek later tonight."

"Alright." Babette simply nodded her acceptance.

A pleasant smile lingered as she added, "I'll be throwing a wine tasting soon to celebrate my return.You and Brandon should make an appearance."

That invitation lingered in Millie's mind. Despite the ongoing divorce proceedings, she recognized the importance of showing up in public with Brandon before the divorce was finalized.

Just then, Brandon returned, slipping his phone away

Without a word, he went to get Millie's coat and wrapped it gently around her shoulders. He offered Babette a brief nod, and then led Millie away from the gathering

The night air rolling off the lake cut straight through them,sharp and chilly.

A shudder passed through Millie as the cold found her.

With the wine swirling in her head and the breeze pressing against her, dizziness crept in.

Brandon's low voice broke through her haze "Grandma just called-Grandpa's already asleep, so we won't see him tonight. She wants us to stay and visit in the morning."

Millie could only nod, her mind a fog. Her footing faltered, and she nearly stumbed.

Brandon caught her quickly, his arm steadying her before she could fall.