Chapter 370
“Milly, you done writing?”
Milly gave a timid chuckle, pulling her head back just a bit and feeling embarrassed. Yet, her curiosity kept winning over as her gaze drifted back to the TV. “Um, just searching for some inspiration. I’ve barely hit a thousand words, but I’ll wrap it up shortly.”
Jordan raised an eyebrow at the smattering of black ink on the pristine A4 paper.
“Less than a thousand words?”
Milly made a face. “Okay, twenty-five words. But honestly, it’s not a lot.”
Jordan just looked at her.
Afraid he might kick her out, Milly quickly added, “Look, Jordan, trust me, I can write just about anywhere. Just not here. This corner’s too gloomy. It’s messing with my eyes.”
In the Burnetts’ mansion, every corner was bathed in light from specifically chosen bulbs – dimness wasn’t a thing.
Jordan obviously saw through her excuse but didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. “Alright, you can stay here and write, but keep your distance from the TV. Move back some.”
Milly’s face brightened. “Thanks, Jordan.”
She kept her gaze glued to the TV, watching different reporters fervently talk about Stephanie’s enigmatic past. Envy was written all over everyone’s faces, with no attempt to hide it.
Since when did Stephanie get to be the Lloyds’ heiress?
Is this the main character’s privilege at play? Could the Burnetts even compete, or is it time to jump ship?
Is that even an option?
Underneath the TV, many online comments flashed across the screen as the subject climbed to the top of the trending chart!
‘So Stephanie was born with it all, huh?’
‘I think her most challenging time was the ten months before birth!’
‘Jumping from the high-standing Burnetts to the elite Lloyds, how’s she always landed on her feet like this?’
‘Is this the legendary born-rich destiny?’
Milly was deep in thought, wondering if they had confused two Stephanies from different affluent families, not just the Burnetts.
It seemed far-fetched, though.
Then she spotted Stephanie, looking radiant in a designer gown, making her entrance into the Lloyds’ banquet hall, flanked by a dapper young man and another girl in a similarly impressive dress, though she appeared rather sombre.
Stephanie was clearly the only one genuinely enjoying herself.
It struck Milly as odd.
Suddenly, the camera moved to the upper floor, capturing a glimpse of a figure in a white robe with flowing hair.
Milly felt a flash of recognition, even though it was just a quick glance.
She was sure she’d seen him somewhere before but couldn’t recall where.
Deciding not to dwell on it, Milly turned her attention back to Stephanie, curious about her story.
Turning to Jordan, she gestured towards the TV, “Jordan, do you know anything about this?”
Calmly sipping his tea, Jordan replied, “Am I supposed to?”
Milly was taken aback. “What?”
What kind of answer is that?
Jordan’s smirk carried a chill as he cryptically remarked, “It’s just self-deception. Let her have her moment; it’s easier that way, spares me the hassle.”
Milly was speechless.
She didn’t get it.
Jordan, ever the enigmatic leader, seemed to say a lot while saying very little. Despite understanding his words individually, they made no sense to her when combined.
Jordan glanced down, his eyes resting on the little girl still innocently sprawled on the stool, her gaze fixed on the TV. A soft glimmer of affection flickered in his eyes despite the stern tone in his words.
“Why aren’t you writing? No writing, no dinner.”
Milly sniffed quickly before promptly lowering her head and beginning to write earnestly.
In the end, it didn’t matter. Jordan was always there to back her up. Given his relaxed stance on the issue, it probably wasn’t too serious, so worry wasn’t necessary.
Even with her hands on some top-notch intel, Stephanie’s impact was minimal without a solid network supporting her.
Right now, her primary focus is to wrap up this self-critique assignment.
Man, writing self-criticism is such a pain!
Why does such a harsh and demeaning punishment exist in our world?
Observing from a distance, Jordan saw Milly divert her focus and scratch her head as she tackled the self-critique, his expression easing up a bit.
But then, glancing up, he caught Stephanie’s appearance on the LCD TV again, and his previously soft look instantly switched to reserved indifference.
She was more clever than he’d given her credit for, managing to carve out a strategic next step for herself.
Aware that her grandfather would have her back and with the family’s power firmly in his grip, she felt safe despite the looming threat of being sent away.
But the situation has shifted. Philip wasn’t as receptive to her as before, and with Philip moving most of the shares to himself and Milly, Stephanie’s standing within the Burnetts was now even more unstable.
So, she swiftly looked for a strategic manoeuvre.
The night before, Stephanie had uploaded pictures from the hot spring resort, including some that showcased a tattoo on her shoulder. Still, he was sure that tattoo hadn’t existed in the previous life.
It looked like she was purposely flaunting the tattoo, choosing peculiar angles for the shots.
These photos didn’t appear on her profile but on that of Fiona, a social media influencer known for her wealthy heiress persona and substantial follower count.
Soon after the pictures were uploaded, the subject rapidly became a popular trend, almost as though someone was quietly pushing it along.
By sunrise, the Lloyds’ car was waiting outside the Burnetts’ mansion, there to transport Stephanie under the claim she was the long-lost heiress of the Lloyds.