A banquet took place that night on the 33rd floor of Sablen Hotel. One could see the bustling night view of Yerwick City through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
A pleasant piano tune filled the space as Millie leaned lazily against the bar before her. She swirled the red wine in her glass out of boredom while her striking eyes darted around.
She garnered some heated looks from men at the event. They wanted to strike up a conversation with her but dared not do it.
Millie wore a long black dress with spaghetti straps. The skirt part had some pleating that showed off her slim calves. Meanwhile, the dress flowed loosely on her body, perfectly highlighting her curves.
Her curled locks cascaded down her back. It allowed her butterfly tattoo to peek through occasionally, captivating those around her.
That was when her phone chimed. She looked down at it and noticed it was a text from Terrence.
It read, âHave you made it to the banquet?â
Sighing, Millie texted, âYeah.â
Terrence had picked her up and brought her home. He tricked her into agreeing to attend tonightâs banquet while she was drunk. Not only that, but he also arranged a blind date for her.
The worst part? Millie had agreed to it amidst her drunkenness. Getting drunk was a huge mistake on her part.
âMillie?â Someone spoke with poor Chirean, the local language.
Millie turned to the side and saw a handsome young foreigner.
The manâs eyes lit up in delight. âItâs really you.â
Millie was also surprised. âHenry Yarrow? What are you doing here?â
Henryâs assistant, Noel Mullen, couldnât help speaking up. âDo you and Ms. Caldwell know each other, Mr. Yarrow?â
Millieâs lips curved. Sheâd saved Henry from an accident five years ago when traveling abroad.
Noel explained, âHenryâs the special guest for tonightâs banquet. Perhaps youâre unaware, Ms. Caldwell, but Mr. Yarrow is a renowned investor abroad.â
Millie was in awe that Henry had become this successful. After all, he had no home and had to beg for food on the streets five years ago.
Henry waved it off like he was being humble and shy. âIâm not that amazing. Itâs all thanks to you back then, Millieâ¦â
Without her, he wouldâve died at that underpass. She was his savior.
âWhatâs the reason for your current visit to this country?â Millie politely asked.
Henry was about to respond but decided to smile and point at the man who had just entered the banquet hall. He cheerfully stated, âIâm here for a business collaboration with Mr. Greer.â
Millieâs breath hitched at the mention of that name.
Winston was the only most powerful âMr. Greerâ in Yerwick.
As expected, Millie looked ahead and saw the person she least wanted to seeâWinston.
Winston wore a custom suit while standing tall. His broad shoulders and narrow waist gave him the most ideal body proportion. Once he entered the banquet hall, everyoneâs attention was on him. Many approached to introduce themselves, hoping to network with him.
Despite Winstonâs young age, he had a secure foothold in the industry. Even elderly figures had to address him politely.
In Millieâs eyes, Winston was flawless, except that he didnât love her.
Beside Winston was a petite woman in a white dress. It was none other than the heiress to Lowell Group, Joanna Lowell.
The Lowell family had a famous background and was one of the Four Great Families in Yerwick. The Lowell couple spoiled their darling daughter, Joanna, to no end. Joanna had three older brothers, all of whom adored her.
Millie and Joanna had been best friends for many years. It was unfortunate that they fell for the same guy.
As Millie failed to secure love, she also lost a friend. She felt like an utter failure.
Joanna linked arms with Winston. The two smiled at each other, and Winstonâs expression harbored some warmth. He was always gentle when it came to Joanna.
Millieâs heart shriveled in pain when she saw that. Winston had never smiled at her like that in all their years of marriage. It was as if he never acknowledged that their marriage existed.
âMillie, thatâs Mr. Greer. Heâs famous. Iâll introduce you to him.â Henry held Millieâs hand before leading her toward Winston.
Millieâs smile faltered, knowing she didnât need any introductions. She had witnessed his gentleness, unrestrained nature, brutality, and ability to insult in the past seven years. She knew Winston better than anyone else.
âHey, Winston!â Henry called out Winstonâs last name.
Winstonâs gaze landed on Henry, but only for a split second. It immediately shifted to Millie after that.
Millie was caught off guard as she met Winstonâs eyes. She spun on her heel to leave out of instinct and didnât want to see Winston. However, Henry led her over.
Winston maintained a calm look as he watched how Henry held Millieâs hand intimately.
To him, Millie had just asked for a divorce but was already with different men on different days. He couldnât believe how sly she was.
âOh, youâre here too, Mills.â Joanna was surprised.
âAnd who might you be?â Henry looked toward Joanna. âI heard Mr. Greerâs already married. Are you his wife?â
Millieâs gaze darkened. Despite being married for three years to Winston, her presence as his wife was unimportant. Like Henry, many didnât know she was Winstonâs wife. Even Winston himself often behaved like she wasnât.
Joanna narrowed her eyes to study Winston while tightening her arm around his. She appeared slightly nervous as if expecting him to define their relationship.
Winston peered at Millie from the corner of his eye before coldly replying, âYeah.â
âGosh, you two are a charming pair and suit each other well,â Henry exclaimed. He also turned to smile at Millie as he asked, âDonât you agree?â
Millie looked up into Winstonâs deep, penetrating gaze. She couldnât help tightening her grip on her wine glass.
Although she appeared calm, her heart felt like it had been torn into pieces. It hurt so much that she couldnât breathe.
Winston had never introduced Millie as his wife to anyone. Whenever she asked why, he would respond in annoyance, âItâs only a relationship. Itâs unnecessary to let the whole world know about it. How immature.â
Now that Millie thought about it, Winston didnât see that as unnecessary. Instead, he felt Millie was unworthy of being introduced as his wife.
Joanna blushed now that she had gotten Winstonâs acknowledgment. That was the first time Winston publicly called her his wife. Most importantly, Millie was there, too.
Millie lowered her gaze and smiled. âIndeed, theyâre a lovely match.â
Winstonâs brows furrowed when he heard that. His hands, which were in his pockets, balled into fists.
He recalled the first time Millie said she liked him. Her eyes glistened with confidence as she swore, âI forbid others from saying youâre a good match with anyone! Only I, Millie Caldwell, am worthy of being with you!â
Yet, she now smiled and admitted Winston and Joanna suited each other.
Winston wondered what Millie was up to now.
âWinston, this is my friend, Millie.â Henry introduced Millie to Winston.
Millie hid her bitterness, extended an arm, and smiled at Winston. âNice to meet you, Mr. Greer. Iâve heard a lot about you.â
Winston emotionlessly examined Millieâs expression. Yet, she only greeted him with the dreaded âMr. Greerâ that he loathed.
For the first time, he felt a deadly energy from Millie. She smiled warmly and beautifully, yet something was menacing about her eyes.
Winston didnât shake her hand.
However, Millie didnât do anything about it. It wasnât the first time he had shown such an attitude toward her. She knew Winston never valued or respected her in his heart.
Henry didnât notice the atmosphere was off. Instead, he proceeded to shower Millie with generous praise. âMillie is the kindest, greatest woman I know. I admire her.â
His eyes also held a depth of love as he looked at her.
Winston noticed that. Then, he observed Millie in detail and couldnât help snorting.
He had seen Millie trick Joanna many times. He believed Millie knew Joanna couldnât swim, yet she pushed Joanna into the pool. So, how could a woman like Millie be kind?
He recalled how Millie offered to have a one-night stand with a random man from a club. That ruined his impression of her.
Millie stopped smiling once she sensed the condescending look in Winstonâs eyes. âHenry, it seems Mr. Greer doesnât like me much. You guys go ahead and chat. I wonât take up more of your time.â
She turned to leave after saying that. Her movements were slow and steady, and her butterfly tattoo came into view. It moved along with her body charmingly, but it burned in Winstonâs eyes.
Henry said jokingly, âThereâs no way anyone in this world could dislike Millie unless said person is blind.â
Winston was speechless.
He knew Millie habitually watched the news, especially the news related to him. She had to have seen him and Joanna attending the conference for the new product launch this morning. Yet, she didnât bother texting or calling him.
He wondered if that meant she was seriously moving on from him now.
Joanna Kept a close eye on Winston. She realized he wasnât any happier after Millie wanted a divorce. That made her worry and wonder if Winston had feelings for Millie.
Someone cried out in the hall just then. âHelp! Mr. Harrison had a heart attack and fainted!â
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