Chapter 271
Chapter 271:
Millie lingered near the edge of the crowd, her gaze sharp and unblinking as Babette snatched a towel from a passing waiter and dabbed frantically at the spreading stains.
Millie had only shown up tonight for one reason—to hammer out an agreement with Babette.
But from the start, Babette had made it clear she’d come to play games. It was Babette who’d set the terms, Babette who’d pushed for a public bet, and when she lost, Babette who flat-out refused to admit defeat.
Whatever had gone down between Millie and Egbert in Flesta while Brandon was away—that secret belonged to both of them. Babette didn’t know the half of it. And even if Millie had confessed everything, Babette would only twist it, holding it over Millie’s head every chance she got.
Worse, Babette hadn’t hesitated to trash the Bennett name and hurl insults at Millie’s father.
If negotiation was off the table, so be it. Millie steeled herself. Babette wanted a fight? She was about to get one.
Millie had no reason left to hold back her contempt.
“Millie, how dare you!” Babette’s glare sharpened, fury twisting her features as she swung her hand up, ready to strike Millie across the face.
Before she could land the blow, Brandon appeared beside them in a blur, seizing Babette’s wrist midair.
“Brandon!” Babette bellowed, her voice shaking with rage and humiliation.
“Millie ruined my party!”
Ignoring Babette’s outburst, Brandon leveled his gaze at Millie.
“Apologize,” he ordered, his voice flat and devoid of warmth.
Millie let out a short, incredulous laugh.
He didn’t know a thing about what had happened, yet here he was—issuing commands as if she owed him something.
Who the hell did he think he was?
Vivian, who had been following close behind, hurried to the scene. Her expression was frozen in shock, as if she couldn’t believe what she was witnessing.
A low hum of whispers swept through the crowd.
“Millie.” Brandon’s voice cut through the noise, his tone edged with warning as he called her name.
Millie let out a small, amused laugh, her eyes flicking from Brandon to Vivian with a glint of challenge.
With a breezy, “Alright,” she turned away, striding over to where the band stood frozen mid-performance.
The pianist hovered uncertainly, hands poised above the keys, casting uneasy glances at the unfolding drama.
Sensing the tension, Millie reached for the violin case nearby and flung it open.
She paused, her eyes drifting shut for a breath, and then opened them again, a glint of mischief sparking within.
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