Chapter 164

The trio headed to the private elevator.

As they ascended, Babette and Eugene quickly filled Brandon in on the situation.

Just before the elevator doors opened, Babette,acting on impulse, asked, "Did you and Millie really get divorced?"

She pressed further. "Is what she posted real? Did the two of you actually sign the papers?"

Brandon didn't respond right away. He then nodded without looking at her, stepped out and made his way toward the meeting room.

Babette followed, trailing behind with a conflicted expression. She opened her mouth to speak but said nothing,quietly catching up to face the crowd inside.

Meanwhile, Millie and Myron had just finished lunch and were now visiting one of Elliott Group's jewelry stores.

As they walked, Myron explained the various divisions within the company.

Over lunch,he had learned about the agreement Millie had recently signed.

She hadn't kept it a secret.

After all, her win at Heavenly Melody had brought her commercials here, and she wasn't rigid.

She understood that Brandon would back Vivian, and in her eyes, accepting help and forming practical,mutually beneficial relationships was only logical.

After a brief tour of the regular businesses, Myron led her down a winding corridor to a quieter part of the building.

They passed several security checkpoints before pausing at the last one for a short conversation.

"Did you hear what happened at Watson Group?"Myron asked, glancing at her.

Millie nodded. She had expected fallout once the divorce became public.

"'I've said before," she replied calmly, "that his affairs have nothing to do with me."

"That's not what I meant." Myron smiled. "Tomorrow,when the market opens, Watson Group's stock will probably take a hit. Don't you want to do something about it?"

Millie met his gaze with a steady look.

"There are certain things I don't want to be part of,"she said.

"And yet there will always be people who do," Myron replied.

They held each other's gaze. Millie knew exactly what he meant. He must have predicted everything when he saw her announcement.

With a public divorce, rumors about a massive settlement were inevitable. The stock price was bound to fluctuate.

That was why he had said, "I thought you might want to wait a little longer."

He was perceptive.

"It seems I need to reevaluate you, Mr. Elliott," Millie said.

"I'm flattered," he answered with polite charm.

They exchanged a subtle, knowing smile.

Smart people always knew when to stop.

Just then, the click of high heels echoed down the hallway. Adriana approached with a bright smile.

"There you are," she greeted warmly.

Millie turned from Myron and returned the smile."Hello,Miss Elliott."

"Just call me Adriana," she said and hen led them farther in.

They made their way to a compact storeroom filled with gemstones.

"These are the new pieces we plan to launch," Adriana explained. "I was managing them, but Myron just told me he'll be overseeing them now, in line with our agreement with you."

Millie glanced at the six gemstones on display. Each one was remarkably rare.

"Your contract with Elliott Group guarantees the corresponding endorsements," Myron said as he guided Millie to examine them up close. "The marketing for this collection is in your hands now.Let's see what you can do."

The gems sparkled under the showroom lights.

Millie looked up at him. "How much creative control do I have?"

"Total freedom," he said with a confident smile."You're free to approach it however you like."

Millie's lips parted slightly. She didn't quite understand why he was offering her so much leeway.

Ever since he confessed his feelings, she hadn't fully grasped his intentions.

She looked back at the gems and said, "Don't worry.You'll be more than satisfied with the results."

"I'm counting on it," Myron replied.

At the same time, chaos was erupting inside Watson Group.

What began as gossip had quickly spread to the finance world. Now, major financial bloggers were dissecting Brandon and Millie's divorce.

One well-known blogger posted, "We've seen this pattern before. A public divorce leads to stock splits,and the wife cashes out at the peak. These so-called 'sky-high divorce settlements' tend to rattle the market."

The comments poured in.

"I remember when I got hit with three limit-downs because of a divorce scandal. Never again."

"Same here. I was stuck holding stock I couldn't even sell."

"Are Brandon and Millie about to pull the same move?"

"No idea. But seriously, I should've known something was up when Brandon kept going out in public with Vivian. She's practically on her deathbed, and she's still clinging to him. Can't she let Millie and Brandon live their lives? She's dragging down the whole company!"

"When the market opens tomorrow, it's every man for himself."

Back in the Watson Group meeting room, Brandon's expression had turned stormy.

The room buzzed with conversations, video calls, and nonstop questions from all directions.

"We just got a call from Eldoria," someone reported."They said Millie used to handle communications.Now that the divorce is public, they don't know how to proceed."

"Mr.Watson, partners from Vascuosia are asking what Millie's next role will be and how the transition is being managed."

"There's more..."

While the tension mounted, a Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up outside the building.

A man stepped out.

His features blending seamlessly with the locals-except for his eyes, which had a faint reddish hue.

Unless you were paying close attention, you wouldn't notice.

He walked into the building and took the elevator to the meeting room.

When he reached the guarded door, the staff member quickly went inside to announce him.

Moments later, the doors opened and the man walked in. "It's been a while, Brandon."

At the far end of the table, Brandon's brow tightened at the familiar voice. He looked up, his eyes narrowing at the figure now standing in the doorway

Beside him,Babette immediately stepped forward with a welcoming smile. "You're here, Egbert."

He gave her a nod.

"I saw the news and thought we should talk about our collaboration," Egbert said, his gaze fixed on Brandon."You know how that contract came to be in the first place, after all."