"That's a piece of cake. Of course, I'll go. I've also wanted to arrange a team building event for my company staff too. How about I get my assistant to get in touch with your friend's staff as well?""That would be great. You're all welcome to be the first customers of the resort! Don't forget to give good reviews too.""Oh. We have to thank you for inviting us, Dr. Roth.""Alright. See you this Saturday.""Okay. See you."…Willow left the hospital and drove to the office. She immediately got Annie to work on the Saturday team-building event. Upon hearing the delighted gasps and cheers from outside her office, she smiled happily and grabbed a cup to make herself some tea.While she waited for the tea to be ready, she looked at her phone. There were only messages from work, and she failed to see the texts she had been waiting for. Theodore had not reached out to her the entire morning. Was he still at Bassett Residence?She couldn't help but knit her eyebrows together. She q
Theodore seemed to have resumed work, no longer having the time to talk to Willow on the phone. Willow quickly said goodbye and hung up, but she held her phone in disappointment.She spaced out on the couch and started to comfort herself. Theodore was so busy. Of course, his life didn't revolve around dating and romance like ordinary people. It was already a blessing that he could make time for lunch with her. How could he go on vacation with her like Annie suggested? Willow decided to snap out of it and began to focus on work.…For the following days, both Willow and Theodore were occupied with their work. They didn't meet until Friday.On Friday afternoon, the Joywell Real Estate employees set off to the hot spring resort by bus. The sky had already turned dark by the time they arrived. Everyone checked in at the front counter and retired to their rooms."Guys, don't forget that we'll have dinner at 7:30 p.m. in the banquet hall," Annie reminded. Then, she gave Willow the l
Theodore was angry with Willow. However, he was angrier with himself. He didn't make her feel protected enough. Though he was the heir to the great Bassett family, he had his weakness. He couldn't go against the entire family head-on.He stared at her bright smile in the photo. As if she was his oasis, his withered heart regained life, emotions surging within him."I'll be waiting!" Terence said and hung up.Theodore knitted his eyebrows as he looked at the photo on his phone. "Clark, book a 2:00 p.m. flight ticket back to Emperia for tomorrow.""Can we leave tomorrow? We might not be able to finish the negotiations tomorrow morning.""We'll get it done." Theodore's brief, but final, reply shut Clark up. Clark immediately went to book the tickets as ordered.Theodore got out of the car as soon as it stopped in front of the hotel. He was about to call Willow when he saw someone familiar smiling and waving at him at the entrance. "Theodore!"Theodore had to give up on the call.
"Theodore, I haven't even had dinner since I've been waiting for you. Look, I brought some really nice wine too. The view is perfect here—""Do you want to get out on your own, or shall I call security?"Hailey immediately shut up, putting the wine bottle down reluctantly. As she reached the door, he asked, "Did you touch my phone?"She froze a little. "Willow called you. I happened to see it, so I helped pick it up."She turned around and saw Theodore's terrifying expression. She explained panickedly, "I didn't mean to do it. I was just worried that she's urgently looking for you. "I only answered the call because I thought she might have some emergency. Theodore, I can explain this to her.""Get out!" He ordered coldly in a loud voice.Hailey quickly left. Her face darkened the moment she closed the door. She walked and phoned someone. "Do it tonight. I'll give you the rest of the money within a month. Remember, don't leave any traces."…Back in the room, Theodore clut
The person on the phone fell silent again. Out of the corner of her eye, Willow noticed the people behind her stifling their laughter. She immediately lowered her voice."My team is waiting for me. I'll talk to you later. Get some rest."There was a brief acknowledgment from the other end before Willow quickly hung up and returned the phone to Terence."Dr. Roth, thanks.""You're welcome," Terence replied as he pocketed the phone. He asked curiously, "It's rare to see him so anxious. Is something wrong?""No. It's just a misunderstanding."Misunderstanding? Terence mused.Annie and the others were calling Willow over to join them. With no time to explain, she invited Terence. "Dr. Roth, come join us. We have many single women in our company who want to meet you.""Is it because they have relatives who need medical attention?""Of course not. Dr. Roth, you're too modest.""Ha ha."Amid the lively chatter in the bar, Willow seemed unaffected by the call from Hailey.Indeed, s
Facing the cameras, Willow bowed first. She said, "We are thoroughly investigating the cause of the fire to prevent a recurrence. Joywell Real Estate will bear all the damages, and we sincerely apologize for the impact on the community.""Some said the incident happened because none of your site managers were present. Ms. Jett, can you explain why?""Our safety manager is always stationed on-site.""But photos online show your staff at a hot spring hotel these past two days."The media reporters quickly echoed the question, pressing Willow for an explanation."Do you admit this accident was due to negligence?""How can you ensure this won't happen again?"Willow was at a loss for words. Her assistant, Annie, tried to shield her from the barrage of questions."We were on a company retreat, but not everyone attended. Our safety manager remained on-site. Please don't jump to conclusions based on photos.""Where is the safety manager now?""We are trying to reach him.""Are you
"I'll go with you then.""Alright."From the start, Matthew never asked why she was hospitalized. Instead, he kept thinking of Willow.Joey suppressed her resentment, knowing now was not the right time for such feelings. Meanwhile, Willow was being questioned at the police station.Theodore managed to secure her release on bail, though the police installed a tracking device on her phone and reminded her not to leave Emperia for the time being."Don't worry about it now. I'll take you home to rest. We'll deal with everything tomorrow.""Okay," Willow replied as she nodded.Late at night, a black van tailed them as they drove through the streets of Emperia. The van's occupants watched until Willow entered her apartment building and Theodore's car drove away. Then, someone in the van made a phone call."Hello?" Willow answered the phone while taking off her shoes as soon as she reached her house."If you want to know the truth about the fire, come to the abandoned area of the sub
"Willow! Willow!"Inside the wardrobe, Matthew desperately pushed the door open. With a loud crash, he fell out. As he saw Willow unconscious on the floor, he picked her up and rushed out without hesitation.Meanwhile, a pale and third hand moved slightly in the wardrobe. The eyes that had just opened were filled with despair. The lips quivered, but no sound came out.At the hospital, Willow woke up. As she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a white ceiling above her."Hey, don't move," a familiar voice came nearby."Mr. Evans.""You're finally awake.""Did you save me?""Yes."Willow suddenly remembered something and asked anxiously, "Where's Joey?"Matthew's eyes flickered slightly, but when he looked up, he looked calm. He said, "She's fine. Don't worry."Willow breathed a sigh of relief. She said, "As long as she's okay. Did you call the police?""I did, but I think there's something more important you need to focus on right now," Matthew said as he handed her
"What choice do you think I need to make?" Theodore stepped closer. His tone was filled with displeasure. "What are my choices?"Willow hesitated for a moment but maintained her composure as she voiced her concerns. "We need to face reality, Theodore. I will take Yasmine back to Portumville, and you're tied to the Bassett family. Who knows what will happen in the future?""So, you're giving me a heads-up so I can find someone else sooner?""I—""Should I be thanking you then?" Theodore's anger flared. "Willow, this is what's on your mind after everything we've been through? What do you take me for? What do you take yourself for?""I…" Willow found herself speechless."Are you doing this on purpose?""No, I'm not." Willow tried to explain herself, but for once, her words failed her.Theodore's eyes burned with frustration. Seeing her struggling to justify herself only fueled his anger more. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.Willow let out a startled muffle, but it was
Willow noticed something odd and asked, "When did you two get so close? Cedar, you even know what game Jessica likes?"Cedar casually replied, "She posted about it on Instagram."Willow's expression changed to one of realization. "Oh, right. I remember now."After saying that, she looked at Jessica with a raised eyebrow and proudly said, "See how thoughtful Cedar is? He remembered such details and even brought the game you wanted. I wonder which lucky girl will end up with him."Jessica forced a smile and awkwardly shoved the game console under the pillow as if it were something unpleasant to touch.Yasmine raised her head. "End up with him? What does that mean?"Willow patiently explained, "It means who will marry Uncle Cedar.""It must be Ms. Sweeney!" Yasmine pointed to the bed next to her and blurted out, "Uncle Cedar saved her. She said she'll marry him to repay the favor."Willow's face was filled with shock while Jessica quickly waved her hand. "No! I never said that. Wh
At the City Hospital, since both Willow and Jessica needed to stay in the hospital, Terence decided to use a bit of his authority to arrange for them to share a room."So what are your plans? Are you not going back to Portumville?" Jessica asked."I still have to go back. The company headquarters is there. Have you ever seen a president of a public company who never goes to the office? Joywell is still growing. I can't leave," Willow explained."So when are you planning to go back?"Willow hesitated. "I'm still thinking."Balancing a career and family was tough. One had to give way to the other."There's nothing to think about. You wouldn't want to give up Joywell's prime opportunity, and you wouldn't want to keep flying back and forth to see Yasmine. Just have Theodore go with you to Portumville then."Jessica, with her independent mindset, often focused on herself and didn't always consider the practicalities of others' situations.Just then, a knock came at the door. "Come i
As Theodore closed the door behind him, Terence turned to him with a concerned look. "Aren't you going to stay with her?""Let her be alone for a while," Theodore replied.Through the glass on the door, Theodore could see the frail figure lying on the hospital bed, and his heart ached for her."By the way, how's Jessica?"Terence responded, "She's fine. Cedar's with her. Thankfully, he noticed in time, and the sleeping pills weren't of a lethal dose."Joey had drugged Jessica with an overdose of sleeping pills. Then, she was left unconscious and tied up in a small storage room at an apartment in Marldosa Gardens.Following that, Joey hired someone from the black market to drive Jessica's car to Portumville, which caused the car's GPS to show up constantly on the highway.Terence couldn't help but ask, "Are Cedar and Jessica…""I don't know," Theodore replied flatly, "but it's not a bad thing.""Not necessarily," Terence said, crossing his arms. "It's fine for the heiress of Re
At the hospital, Willow's neck wound had been stitched up with four sutures. She had to stay in the hospital for observation.Terence was still in the operating room with Matthew. Over an hour had passed with no news. Yet, Matthew's family couldn't be reached at the moment.Theodore sat by her bedside. "Be careful.""I'm fine," Willow replied, leaning against the headboard. "How did you find out that Joey and I were at the riverbank?""Matthew called me." Theodore's voice was rough. He covered Willow with a blanket and began to explain the recent events."I had a DNA test done with Yasmine and confirmed Iris' claims. At least it proved that Joey was the one who took Yasmine back then. After that, I had Clark start investigating Joey."The first thing Clark did was track down the doctor who did the DNA test for Matthew and Yasmine, and sure enough, Joey was there meeting him."When Clark arrived, the doctor was already dead. His body was hidden in the garage at Marldosa Gardens.
Willow's words crushed Joey completely.Possessiveness? To others, her years of admiration and waiting were nothing more than laughable possessiveness."They're over there!" A voice suddenly rang out. Following that, the chaotic sound of footsteps echoed from the other side of the rocks.Willow looked up to see a tall, familiar figure rushing toward her. Without needing to guess, she knew how anxious the man must have been. Her nose tingled, and tears suddenly began to fall.As Joey glanced at the approaching police, she tightened her grip on Willow and dragged her backward. "Don't come any closer! Stay back!" she shouted.Theodore, who was more frightened than he had ever been, also roared, "Don't go any further! Let her go, Joey.""Let her go?" Joey laughed bitterly. "And let her reunite with your family? Dream on!""Joey." Willow managed to squeeze out the words through her pain. "Stop it, Joey."Even at this moment, she hoped Joey would have a change of heart and turn awa
Willow lay on the rocks as her neck bled and stained the collar of her white shirt. The scene was shocking. But compared to the pool of blood beneath Matthew, her injuries were nothing. Even though she desperately tried to escape, the distance she crawled was far from enough to save her life.Footsteps approached from behind; Joey had released Matthew and was walking toward Willow."Do you know what he just told me?" Joey's voice came from behind as Willow continued to crawl away.Joey didn't stop her, and she merely paced alongside Willow. For every step Willow took, Joey mirrored her, patiently recounting her conversation with Matthew."I asked him if he ever loved me. Do you know what he said?""He told me to let you go."In the wind of the river, Joey's laughter sounded particularly eerie. "Even at this moment, he only thinks of you. His loyalty to you is absolute, isn't it? I want to ask you a question."Suddenly, Joey squatted down and yanked Willow's hair, forcing her
"Leave right now?" Joey asked incredulously. She then burst into tears. "If only you had said this three years ago!""It's not too late now.""It is too late," Joey said as she shook her head. Willow felt herself being choked. She struggled for breath as the immense force pressed against her neck and pulled her toward the edge of the rocky outcrop with the raging river below."Joey!" Matthew staggered closer."Don't come any closer!"Willow felt a sharp pain in her neck as the knife's blade dug deeper into her flesh."Joey." She gritted her teeth against the agony and asked, "So Yasmine really was stolen by you, wasn't she?""You're still asking such questions at this point? Willow, you really are stupid.""Where's Yasmine?""Ha! What do you think?" Joey's laughter was manic.The rhetorical question sent Willow plummeting into despair as if reliving the anguish from three years ago. It felt like her heart and lungs shook violently, and every nerve of hers screamed in pain.
"We've known each other for so many years, and now, suddenly, I plan to leave Emperia. It's hard not to feel a bit reluctant," Joey said with a hint of nostalgia, her expression darkening as she turned to look at Willow.As the river breeze blew, Willow felt something unfamiliar about the woman in front of her, as if she had never known her at all."What's wrong?"Joey noticed the strange look in Willow's eyes.Willow steadied herself, hiding her immense shock and confusion behind her clenched fist, and casually asked, "When do you plan to leave? Have you decided where to go?""We're thinking of heading to Westwood first. Do you still remember we made a promise in college to go to Westwood for our graduation trip?""I remember.""But you suddenly decided to get married at that time and got busy with matters at Strand Real Estate.""Actually, you didn't have to worry about me. You could have gone without me.""Didn't you know? Matthew liked you, so when he heard you weren't goi