Chapter 180:
Millie brought her car to a slow stop at the entrance, her eyes steady as they took in the familiar scene. On any other day, she would have driven straight through the gates without a second thought. But today was different. Today, she came as a guest.
The security guard, recognizing her at once, quickly stepped out of the booth and came to greet her. “Mrs. Watson! It’s so good to see you,” he said, already pressing the button to open the large wrought-iron gates. “Mr. and Mrs. Watson have been hoping you’d visit.”
Millie gave a soft nod. “I won’t be driving in today. Please arrange for the estate buggy.”
“What? Um—yes, of course!” he replied, surprised for a second but quick to respond. “I’ll have it sent right away.”
Moments later, a small buggy arrived, humming softly as it stopped in front of her. Matthew Douglas, the estate’s butler, stepped out and greeted her warmly.
“Welcome back, Mrs. Watson,” he said, opening the door with practiced grace.
Millie gave a slight nod and stepped in, saying nothing.
As the vehicle began to move, Millie officially entered the gates of Moonlit Estate.
“Mrs. Norma Watson’s been asking about you a lot lately,” Matthew said, glancing at Millie briefly as he drove. “She says the house feels too quiet without you, and she’s still not quite used to that.”
“And Mr. Derek Watson—he’s been absolutely angry with Mr. Brandon Watson,” Matthew continued, chatting away. “He mentioned how Vivian doesn’t hold a candle to you. Said he regrets not stepping in sooner. That he wants to speak up for you now.”
Millie listened in silence, half-convinced that Derek and Norma had put Matthew up to saying all this.
The night wind picked up, cool and persistent, prompting her to pull her coat tighter around her shoulders. The buggy rolled along the edge of Moon Lake, offering a sweeping view of its calm expanse. A gentle breeze stirred the surface, sending ripples across the water that shimmered beneath the silver glow of the moon.
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At the center of the lake, a stone bridge stretched toward the mansion, its reflection wavering in the moonlit water. Just then, a Bentley crossed it, heading straight to the estate. Millie recognized it instantly—Brandon’s car. So, he was here too.
The wind stirred her freshly cut hair, sending a few strands across her face. She reached into her coat pocket, pulled out a simple hair tie, and began gathering her hair into a neat twist. After a quiet moment, her voice broke the stillness.
“Has anything happened at the mansion lately?”
Matthew took a moment to think before speaking. “Mr. Derek Watson’s health hasn’t been the best lately, and Mrs. Norma Watson seems a bit down. Mr. Brandon Watson has dropped by a few times, but they almost always end up arguing. His parents are still abroad, and a few folks have dropped by to check on the old couple, but nothing major’s happened.”
Millie gave a small nod. So far, it sounded like things had been relatively calm. But then her gaze drifted ahead, to the Bentley parked near the entrance.
.
.
.