The next morning, Millie went to the Miller Textiles company with her heart in her mouth. She intentionally arrived later than her usual time, knowing that Kris was probably in his office by now.

The only thing she carried was an envelope containing her resignation. She had no doubt that Kris was going to fire her, but before he had the chance to do that, she wanted to resign. Standing in front of his office door, she knocked anxiously, and when his voice told her to come in, she did.

He was sitting behind his desk, looking concentratedly at something on the screen. During the two years she'd worked for him, Millie had gotten used to seeing him with bags under his eyes, but it had gotten particularly bad in the past few weeks. He always looked like such a mess, and today was no exception. "You took your time coming in today," Kris remarked, finally looking at her, but his expression remained unreadable.

Before he could say anything else, Millie stepped forward and handed her envelope over to him. He stared at it for a few seconds before taking it. Reaching into the envelope, he pulled out her resignation. His expression remained impassive as he read the letter. Once he was done, he gently-slipped the letter back into the envelope and set it on the table. "So is that it? You're just going to run away like some coward?"

A frown marred Millie's face. "I knew you wouldn't want me to work for you anymore,

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"Your resignation is not accepted," Kris cut her off.noveldrama

Millie was shocked as she stared at him. "But...but..."

"What makes you think that I don't want you to work for me anymore?"

"Well, because I...I hid the fact that I knew Thalassa and that I've been helping her."

"That's exactly why you're not going anywhere. At least not now," Kris stated. "I've always treated you as best as I can, Millie, and I know that Thalassa is your friend, but don't you think you owe me some loyalty too?"

Millie pursed her lips in a grim line. "If proving my loyalty means I would have to betray my best friend, then no. I'm sorry, I can't." (1

"I'm not asking you to betray anyone, I just need you to help me out because I feel like I'm going crazy," Kris clarified, finally showing a bit of vulnerability on his face.

He ran a hand through his already messed-up hair. "You've known Thalassa for three years. Surely, there are things she has told you about. Things that had to do with our marriage and divorce. Did she ever confess to cheating on me?"

"Thalassa never cheated on you, and I can vouch with my life for that," Millie said determinedly. "She did everything to make you happy and to sustain your marriage even after everything you put her through."

Kris gritted his teeth, not liking how she made it sound like he was the only one to blame. "And what about what I went through, Millicent? Do you know how it feels to love and hate somebody at the same time? To want to punish them even though punishing them makes you feel like you're punishing yourself?" "Thalassa never did anything to be punished for. She never betrayed you in any way," Millie reiterated. Kris felt even more conflicted. "That's what she says. But the evidence says something else."

Millie let out a breath of frustration. "Those pictures that were given to you might not be fake, but the story

behind them could be even more painful."

Kris grimaced. "What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know," Millie shook her head with a shrug. "We're not sure of anything. But if you're really sincere about wanting to find out the truth, then you need to start looking for it, Sir.'

Kris nodded slowly. "Yes, that's what I plan to do. But I'm going to need your help, Millie. Will you help me?"