Chapter 341

Chapter 341:

Oh, fuck! Tatiana was furious. All of this was just because her good name got dragged through the mud? Corbett was truly awful!

Just as Tatiana was about to hail a taxi, her eyes caught sight of a nearby shopping mall. She decided that some retail therapy might help clear her mind. After all, using Corbett’s money for her spree was a satisfying way to channel her frustration.

After finishing her shopping, Tatiana stepped outside and noticed a familiar face in the bustling crowd. The man was impossible to miss, naturally commanding attention. He wore a white shirt adorned with expensive fabric, giving him an air of nobility that seemed almost otherworldly.

Her heart fluttered unexpectedly.

Howard.

He was right there. Just the sight of Howard stirred up a mix of grief and longing in Tatiana, making her ache for his comfort. Without hesitation, she moved toward him.

“Howard?” Tatiana called softly, but before she could get his attention, another figure suddenly appeared, slipping their arm through Howard’s.

“Finished,” the person said casually.

“Alright, let’s go,” Howard replied, his voice still carrying that familiar gentleness, like the calm of a warm summer breeze.

The person holding his arm wore a hat and a mask, but it was obvious she was a woman.

Tatiana stopped in her tracks, feeling a sudden surge of anger bubbling up within her, threatening to spill over any second now!

“Who are you?” Acting on pure impulse, Tatiana reached out and yanked the woman’s mask right off.

Tatiana’s actions were lightning-fast. Before Howard even had a chance to intervene, she had ripped the mask away, uncovering a stunning face underneath. Tatiana’s eyes widened in shock as recognition set in. “Milly?” The name burst from her mouth, nearly a scream.

Howard quickly replaced the mask on Milly’s face, then turned to Tatiana with a harsh, unforgiving look. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.

“Howard, what’s going on? Are you here with her?” Tatiana’s voice trembled as the last shred of her self-control seemed to break.

Howard stared at her, bewildered by her actions. “Tatiana, have you lost your mind? Who I spend my time with is none of your concern.”

It was only now that Milly seemed to comprehend the situation. Her clear eyes brimmed with tears as she looked up at Howard, a picture of heartbreaking innocence. The sight of her like this stirred a wave of pity in Howard, prompting him to gently take her hand.

Maybe it was the way she had appeared so vulnerable when his car almost hit her that made Howard decide to take her under his wing. Over time, he had gotten used to seeing her as a little sister. Milly’s quiet and introverted nature made it easy for Howard to slip into the role of her protector.

Now, as he looked into her tear-filled eyes, an unexpected anger surged within him. He turned to Tatiana, his voice cold. “Apologize to her!”

Tatiana’s legs wobbled. Unnerved by the coldness in Howard’s eyes, she instinctively took a step back. Was this really the Howard she knew?

“Howard, don’t you see? She’s just faking vulnerability!” Tatiana’s frustration boiled over. “She’s an orphan with no family to speak of. She doesn’t deserve you at all. Why are you even with her? You must be the one who’s lost it!”

Howard’s eyes narrowed sharply. “You did a background check on Milly?”

Tatiana didn’t respond.

When Milly joined the film crew and took the role that was meant for her friend, Tatiana had felt compelled to look into her background, assuming Milly was from a notable family. However, she found out Milly was an orphan with no family at all. Tatiana had dismissed her as unimportant.

Yet, seeing Milly out shopping with Howard was something Tatiana hadn’t anticipated and simply couldn’t come to terms with.

“Howard,” Tatiana said, “can’t you understand why someone like Milly would approach you? You come from the Johns family—everyone wants to be part of your family. Don’t be deceived by her! Your parents would never accept someone like her as a daughter-in-law.”

Milly stayed quiet, her lashes lowered.

Howard could feel her distress acutely, and it tugged at his heartstrings. He knew Milly had suffered deeply, though she never spoke of it. Her resilience was admirable. Tatiana’s insults might not have shaken her, but they stirred anger and sorrow in Howard.

A dangerous gleam flickered in his icy eyes. “Tatiana, shut up. If you say one more word, you and your family will regret it.”

Tatiana was taken aback. Howard had transformed completely.

He had always seemed like an angel, the Prince Charming that every woman dreamt of. Despite his privileged status, he had remained humble, warm, and gentle, consistently showing kindness to everyone. Unlike the cunning Dane, who masked his malice with a smile, Howard was genuine and kind-hearted. Tatiana was well aware of this, having spent so much time with him.

But now he spoke to her with such coldness.

Tatiana’s heart felt like it was breaking. “Howard, you’re speaking to me like this because of her?”

“We have no connection anymore,” Howard replied in an icy tone.

Tatiana swallowed her bitterness with difficulty. “I’m only trying to look out for you. You’ll realize it sooner or later—she’s not who you believe her to be.”

Despite the heaviness in her heart, Tatiana couldn’t ignore the unmistakable disgust in Howard’s eyes. Reluctantly, she turned and walked away, not wanting to humiliate herself any further.

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