Chapter 1146
Chapter 1146:
“It’s not that I don’t trust you,” she said, now calm.
“I was just wondering… are you always that humble before her p>
Charles blinked, realizing the tension had finally eased. He sighed dramatically.
“Obviously. Didn’t I tell you she’s my golden ticket p>
He ran a hand across his forehead in exaggerated exhaustion.
“See? I’m sweating here. This whole thing’s got me worked up p>
Trudy’s expression softened into guilt.
“I’m sorry, Charles. It’s just… I heard some rumors and didn’t know what to believe p>
“It’s alright,” Charles said. Truth be told, he was relieved she’d brought it up. Better she ask than keep it bottled in. At least now, everything was finally out in the open.
He reached across the table, picked up the small cat-ear pendant, and hooked it onto her bag.
“There. It’s settled. We’ll go together tonight. You’ll see for yourself. Millie’s not the villain people make her out to be. She’s the reason I’ve gotten anywhere at all p>
“Alright.” Trudy smiled faintly, running her fingers over the pendant. The charm glimmered under the light. It really was adorable.
Millie lowered her phone. Something about that call had felt off, but she soon brushed the thought aside. Charles hadn’t said anything strange, so it probably wasn’t worth worrying about. Her attention shifted back to the evening ahead.
She turned to the window, her mind already lost in thought. Time slipped by fast, and before long, it was time for the dinner. Myron was still tied up with work at the Elliott Group, leaving Millie to head out early with Ari. They spent a while chatting about Ari’s school day, with Millie asking gentle questions to see how she was keeping up with her studies. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and small, tender moments that came naturally between mother and daughter.
Just then, the door opened, and Charles stepped inside with Trudy beside him.
“Charles!” Ari called out, her face lighting up.
“Hey, Ari,” Charles replied with a grin.
𝕸𝖔𝖗𝖊 𝖚𝖕𝖉𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘 𝖎𝖓
Millie rose to greet them, her attention shifting to the woman beside him.
“You must be Charles’ girlfriend, Miss Graves p>
Trudy smiled politely.
“Please, just call me Trudy, like Charles does p>
“Then call me Millie,” Millie said warmly. She turned toward her daughter.
“Ari p>
“Hello, Trudy,” Ari said in a cheerful voice.
Trudy studied the girl curiously. She had heard the rumors surrounding Millie’s adopted daughter—stories claiming the child was odd, cold, and withdrawn because of her years in an orphanage. Yet the bright-eyed, lively girl before her didn’t fit that picture at all.
“Ari,” Trudy said kindly, bending down as she handed her a small wrapped box.
“I brought you something p>
Ari looked up at Millie, and Millie nodded.
“Thank you,” Ari said softly as she accepted the gift. Then she reached behind her and brought out a box as well, handing it to Trudy.
“This is for you. Mommy and I picked it together. Mommy said Charles’ girlfriend must be really nice and pretty, so she might like this p>
Trudy felt her chest tighten. She glanced at Millie, who met her eyes with a gentle, sincere smile. Trudy felt a little embarrassed.
She carefully lifted the lid of the box. Inside lay a silk Hermès scarf in soft pastel shades, exactly the kind she’d admired for long but never mentioned to anyone. Shocked, she looked up at Millie.
“I hope you like it,” Millie said softly, looking a bit shy. She had struggled to decide on a gift but remembered Charles once mentioning that Trudy loved Hermès. So she had followed her instincts.