Myron hesitated for a heartbeat before answering. “It started about six months ago. The two sides suddenly began clashing, sometimes openly, sometimes behind the scenes. And now it looks like SKR is planning to swallow MKK whole. This time, SKR has teamed up with some powerful backers, including a few influential figures from Mirough. That’s why MKK has been casting a wide net for help, even reaching out to us and the Watson Group…” He laid out the situation in a succinct summary.

Millie nodded slowly. It made sense that they’d turn to the Watson Group; she knew the two had been doing business even when she was still with Brandon. Still, something about it all felt off.

Pushing that unease aside, she retrieved her laptop and opened the files Archie had forwarded. The data was extensive, pages of numbers, projections, and fragmented reports, but the entire collection felt loosely stitched together, lacking cohesion. Millie skimmed through, her eyes moving quickly. Then something caught her attention, an irregularity that prickled at her instincts.

After mulling it over for a moment, she called Archie, requesting a properly compiled and organized version of the documents.

“Archie, please send me the documentation promptly,” Millie said when he picked up.

“What’s wrong?” Myron asked once she ended the call, watching her carefully.

Millie shook her head, her gaze drifting toward the clear blue sky outside the window as her thoughts deepened, weaving themselves into a sharper concern.

That same day, Archie forwarded the remaining documents without delay. Not long after, the Watson Group also reached out, initiating discussions related to MKK. For the time being, at least where MKK was concerned, their interests were aligned with Millie’s.

Millie went through the documents for quite a long time. Even after she returned to the hospital, her mind remained occupied.

Alexia watched from the side, clearly wanting to urge her to rest, but Myron stopped her.

“If you interrupt her now, it’ll only make her feel worse,” Myron said quietly, shaking his head.

Alexia let out a breath, conceding that he was right. This was simply how Millie operated. So Myron stayed close, assisting where he could and making sure she had what she needed.

The hours slipped by, stretching from afternoon into the deep of night, until it was already four in the morning. As Myron was preparing to firmly insist she take a break, Millie finally closed her laptop. She leaned back slightly, staring into nothingness, lost in thought.

“Millie, you need to rest. It’s four a.m.,” Myron said gently.

She didn’t answer.

Myron walked over to a nearby cabinet, opened it, and took out several jewelry cases. He began removing her jewelry, intending to help her settle in for the night.

Then Millie’s eyes caught on something inside the cabinet.

“Hold on!” she said suddenly.

Myron paused. “What is it?”

Millie reached in and picked up one of the cases, its lid not fully closed. Inside lay a blue diamond necklace, a gift to Millie from James, the same one she had later given Myron when they first met, all those years ago.

Later, Myron had taken that necklace, marked with the Bennett family crest, to ask her father for help. James offered the help Myron needed but told him to keep the necklace, and Myron had kept it carefully safeguarded until last year, when he returned it to Millie during a hot air balloon ride.

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