Chapter 187

Chapter 187:
As she spoke, her words sounded light, almost airy, but her gaze was trained on Millie, studying her lowered eyes. Their little circle was clearly attracting attention by now, and someone else joined them, approaching with quiet confidence.
“Alright, Babette. You said it yourself—it’s just idle gossip. Why dwell on it? Am I right, Brandon?” For more chapters visit
Derek’s family tree had grown sprawling branches—three sons, two daughters. Brandon’s father held the spot of second son, while Babette’s father was the third. Casimir Watson, the youngest of Derek’s eldest son’s children, was the one speaking now. A bright grin accompanied his raised champagne glass.
“Brandon, Millie,” he said, pausing to join the gathering. He sounded as if he was stepping up for Millie, but beneath his polite tone, every word felt like a carefully disguised barb.
Taking his side would be the same as admitting Millie had taken credit for the Watson family’s achievements.
“Hey, I’m talking to Brandon, not you. Stay back, alright?” Babette shot Casimir a withering look. There was no love lost between Babette and Casimir; they had clashed since childhood, even as she stayed on good terms with Brandon.
Millie, however, had always rubbed her the wrong way. A deep dislike simmered beneath the surface whenever she thought about women clinging to Brandon for support. Still, if Brandon favored Millie, Babette saw no point in open hostility. At most, she’d keep her distance. Even now, standing in front of her cousin, Babette kept things civil—a mark of Watson pride.
Stories like these had chased her through both undergrad and grad school in Flesta, a constant hum of rumor and speculation. She had never paid much attention until one particular incident made it personal. Now, the feeling lingered: resentment that Millie had snatched away some of the family’s acclaim.
“Oh, come on, Brandon! Let Millie answer for herself.” A teasing smile curved Babette’s lips. Shifting her attention back to Millie, Babette continued, “Millie, have you heard the latest? Word is, Mr. Perez is making his trip to Crobert.”
Lɑtєst chαptєrs 𝑖n g𝒶l𝑛ovє𝓁ѕ.с𝓸m
Babette paused on purpose, her gaze searching Millie’s face.
“Millie, even with all this talk swirling around, do you plan on seeing him again?”
Brandon cut in, his brow tightening. “That’s enough, Babette. Let’s leave it at that. I know the truth—Millie has no connection to that man.”
A look of annoyance flashed across Babette’s features. “Brandon!”
Nearby, Casimir—recently scolded—remained silent, watching the exchange with a faint, knowing smile.
The Watson family had grown massive over the years, with dozens of new faces in every branch. Tonight, the turnout was impressive. With Brandon and Millie always in the spotlight, their presence naturally drew a crowd.
As they lingered near the entrance, more and more family members drifted over. Most of the newcomers were cousins and younger relatives—some close, some from more distant branches. The elders, meanwhile, had retreated upstairs, sipping their drinks and making small talk as if none of this concerned them.
But Millie wasn’t fooled. The air was thick with hidden agendas—today’s family gathering was anything but casual. All the whispers, the pointed questions from Babette, and Casimir’s subtle digs? The older generation had orchestrated it all, allowing—and perhaps even encouraging—this quiet interrogation, thanks to the child she had suddenly been photographed with.
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