Chapter 480:

Millie sat still, her fingers lightly tapping the edge of the wooden table beside her.

“I’m not sure what Vivian’s really thinking,” she said finally, her voice calm but thoughtful. “But Brandon… he’ll take care of it.” She turned to Charles, eyes sharp with purpose. “You said Brandon tried to offer us hush money?”

Charles gave a small nod. “He did. But I turned him down.”

Millie fell silent for a moment, recalling the way Brandon usually handled things. Then, with quiet certainty, she rose to her feet. “It’ll probably happen within the next few days. If he really plans to help Vivian win this bet, he’ll come back to you. And when he does, don’t shut him down completely. Just tell him you need time to think it over.”

“What if they choose to back out?” Charles asked, confusion etched on his face. With the stakes so high, it made sense—they’d likely shelve the project and begin anew. Brandon should know that better than anyone.

And with the influence and resources he possessed, launching a fresh project for Vivian wouldn’t be difficult. Walking away from this one seemed like the most logical choice.

But Millie’s eyes met Charles’ with quiet certainty. Her expression was unreadable, her tone unwavering.

“He won’t back out,” she said softly. “He’ll go through with it.”

Meanwhile, across town, Brandon had already picked up Vivian. The two of them were now en route to a restaurant. Neither of them spoke as the car glided through the city streets. Silence stretched between them, heavy and lingering.

Vivian appeared even more fragile than she had that morning. She leaned against the seat, her complexion pale, her shoulders slumped. Outside, the cityscape blurred past the windows in a rush of color and motion.

After a long pause, Brandon finally broke the silence. His voice was low but pointed. “Did you leak the details about the bet agreement?”

ᴹᴼᴿᴱ ᵁᴾᴰᴬᵀᴱˢ ᴵᴺ ᴳᴬᴸᴺᴼⱽᴱᴸˢ.ᶜᴼᴹ

Vivian turned to him, her expression painted with disbelief and hurt. Her eyes reddened, and her lips parted slightly, as if the question alone had wounded her.

“Brandon… do you really think I’d do something like that?” she whispered, her voice thin and trembling. “After what Eugene pulled today, I’ve been on edge all afternoon. I barely held myself together and just went home to rest.”

Brandon shot her a glance. He knew the truth—only a handful of people had been present in the office that day when the bet agreement was first discussed. Only they had access to the original document. Now that it had somehow made its way online, the list of possible culprits was painfully short.

“Brandon, I know exactly what you’re thinking,” Vivian said. “But there are so many ways that agreement could’ve gotten out. Maybe your grandparents had a hand in it. Or maybe Millie showed it to her lawyer, and they took a picture without permission. It could’ve even been left out somewhere—on a desk, in a meeting room—and someone just happened to see it.”

She paused, her eyes growing redder, as if on the verge of tears. “But out of everyone, you only suspect me.”

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Message from Noah: New novels in a few hous dear readers. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. („• ֊ •„)੭

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