Chapter 1337:
Once Ari disappeared from view, Helga folded her hands and addressed the group with calm authority.
“I have a granddaughter now,” she announced.
“So please don’t bring up the topic of more children tomorrow. Let’s not pressure Millie and Myron.”
The person who had made the joke winced and quickly raised both hands in surrender, promising not to prod the newlyweds again.
Everyone present understood Millie’s health concerns—the quiet worry that still lingered over the possibility of her having more children.
The topic shifted immediately, and they all agreed on one thing: Ari was a treasure.
Notably, not a single member of the Watson family appeared in the meeting.
Derek had considered joining, but backed out at the last minute. He felt too ashamed.
Later, Nixon updated him by phone, his voice warm with nostalgia.
“We old friends will all be there tomorrow,” Nixon told him.
“It’ll be a good chance to reconnect. What are the Watson family’s plans for the ceremony?”
Derek let out a rough exhale—somewhere between a sigh and a huff.
“What plans could there possibly be?” he muttered after ending the call.
“Business as usual. Work when there’s work, rest when there’s time.”
His gaze drifted to Norma. She sat quietly on the sofa, hands folded in her lap, her breathing slow and heavy, as if the air itself weighed on her.
A thoughtful stillness settled over her features.
“I keep thinking about Millie and Brandon’s wedding back then,” she murmured, the memory carrying a bittersweet edge.
Back then, Derek had been bedridden. The whole family had clung to the fragile hope that Millie’s marriage to Brandon might bring them a little joy—something that could lift Derek’s spirits.
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Norma’s eyes softened, heavy with old recollections.
Silence settled between them, familiar yet oppressive, until she finally spoke again.
“Millie is marrying Myron tomorrow,” she said quietly.
“What about Brandon?”
The question hung in the air.
Derek—decisive in nearly every aspect of life—fell uncharacteristically silent.
His brow tightened. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and steady.
“Call Brandon,” he said.
“Tell him to come home for dinner tonight.”
“Alright,” Norma replied gently.
Business at Watson Group rolled on as if nothing special were happening.
All around the city, bright banners and wedding songs spilled into the streets. Even Evans Group had draped their headquarters in ribbons and lights. Of the three industry titans, only Watson Group looked unchanged—quiet, unadorned, untouched by the festivities.
Word spread quickly that Brandon himself had put his foot down.
“No decorations. No talk about Millie and Myron’s wedding.”
It was no secret he was in a foul mood.
The online crowd didn’t waste a second worrying about Brandon’s feelings. If anything, his misery only fueled their entertainment. The more withdrawn and sour he seemed, the more people flocked to follow the latest updates.
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