It was nearly 9:00 pm by the time they finished dinner.Willow was in the kitchen cutting up some fruit when Theodore followed her in.The moment she saw him, her mood soured. She said, "You've eaten and had your after-meal tea. Why aren't you leaving?""I'm waiting to take my mom home.""No need. Erica can stay a little longer. I'll take her home myself.""Do you really dislike me that much?"Theodore's sudden question caught Willow off guard, leaving her startled. At that moment, the knife in her hand slipped.With a sharp clang, the knife hit the cutting board, and Willow let out a cry of pain."Don't move!" A piece of skin had been sliced off her left index finger, making her blood flow out. The blood instantly began to pool on her palm. The sight was startling."How could you be so careless?"Gritting her teeth, she replied, "It's because you distracted me by talking!""I'll take you to the hospital.""I'm not going!" Willow retorted as she struggled. "It's just a smal
Theodore's cold voice came from above her as he said, "You still have feelings for me."Willow felt a pang in her heart, as though something had just scratched at it. She gritted her teeth as she said, "Let go of me.""You kept everything I gave you, and you even allowed me to go to your place to have dinner.""You followed me up here on your own!" Willow panicked. She lowered her voice and said, "I'll scream if you don't let go of me. Do you really want another blow to the head?""Scream then.""I…"Before she could finish her sentence, he suddenly leaned in close, leaving her momentarily stunned."Mmm…"Willow's eyes widened in shock as Theodore locked her wandering hands in his firm grip.He kissed her with abandon. Closing his eyes, he enjoyed the kiss as heavy breaths mingled between them. The friction of their bodies made them feel lustful and threw them both into a whirlwind of desire."Cedar, why is there blood in the kitchen?""Huh?"Suddenly, there was a knock on
Willow was so angry that she almost coughed up blood. She then shot a fierce glare at the "mosquito".Theodore was doing this on purpose! He was trying to make her look bad!The "mosquito" remained calm. He calmly said, "Mom, it's getting late. We should head back."Erica glanced at the time and said, "Oh my, it's almost ten!"After reminding Willow to get plenty of rest, Erica finally left.Willow couldn't fall asleep after washing up. She kept tossing and turning, with her mind replaying the events of the evening. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see the scenes again, and she could almost still smell the lingering scent of his cologne in the room.The next morning, Willow headed straight to Strand Real Estate for a meeting with the project partners."It's been a while, Ms. Jett," Ian greeted her with a warm smile as soon as he saw her. "On behalf of Strand Real Estate, I officially welcome you to the team.""Mr. Strand, just call me Willow. There's no need to be so f
"Please don't twist my words, Mr. Bassett. I never implied that Quentin lacks the necessary skills," said Willow."The facts speak for themselves," Theodore retorted.Willow's eyes narrowed slightly at his words. She said, "I've worked with Quentin for three years, and I know his capabilities better than anyone. If you're still not convinced, I'll personally assist with the project.""Isn't the renovation of Oldtown under Joywell still unfinished? Can you really manage both?""It won't be an issue."Seeing that she was adamant about defending Quentin, Theodore was even more disappointed.Willow wasn't afraid of him at all. She just stared at him without flinching.The tension between the two was palpable, making everyone else in the meeting room exchange uneasy glances. Finally, Ian stepped in to mediate, "I think Mr. Bassett has a point, but Ms. Jett is also right. How about we find a middle ground?"…After the meeting, everyone left. Quentin caught up with Willow as she was
At the underground parking garage, Willow confronted Theodore. "What exactly do you mean by this?"Willow stood firmly in front of Theodore's car. She asked, "You know exactly what kind of person Sonia is. If something goes wrong with the project because of her, who's going to take responsibility?""If we don't let her join the project, things will go wrong.""If you have such little faith in others' abilities, then why are you so insistent on getting involved in this project?"Theodore's eyes darkened slightly. He asked, "Why? Don't you already know?"Willow was stunned.The engine roared to life, and the black SUV pulled away from the parking spot, exiting the garage.As her figure became smaller in the rearview mirror, Clark said cautiously, "Mr. Bassett, why didn't you just tell Ms. Jett directly? In business, it's common wisdom to avoid offending a gentleman, but it's even more critical to not provoke a petty person."If Sonia couldn't join the project, she'd most likely s
"She just told me after work that she was going to meet someone, and then I haven't heard from her since," Cedar said.Willow wasn't the type to be careless or forgetful. She had promised Cedar that she would be home for dinner. If something had come up, she would have let them know. The likelihood that something unexpected had happened was high.Theodore felt slightly uneasy. "Don't panic yet. I'll handle it."After hanging up, he immediately instructed Clark, "Contact the police and get in touch with the telecom company. Track Willow's phone."Clark asked, "Mr. Bassett, what if Ms. Jett is just caught up in a business meeting and lost track of time? Wouldn't it be an overreaction if nothing is actually wrong?"Theodore shot him a cold and piercing glance. He said coldly, "If something happens, it'll be too late."…Meanwhile, at a hotel in the northern part of the city, Willow felt her head throbbing painfully when she woke up. As she opened her eyes, she saw some purple dra
With a harsh ripping sound, Willow's shirt collar was torn open.Feeling dizzy, Willow could only see the man's grotesque smile looming over her. She reached her hand to the bedside and searched for something. Grasping hold of an object, she used all her strength to strike him at the back of his head.There was a loud crash as the sound of breaking glass filled the room, shards scattering across the bed.The man's movements ceased instantly. He stared at Willow in disbelief as he was too startled to speak, "You bitch! How dare you…" Before he could finish, his big body collapsed onto the bed.The weight of him knocked the breath out of her. For a moment, she nearly blacked out. With tremendous effort, she managed to push him off and get to her feet.As she looked at his naked body, she kicked him off the bed in disgust.After sliding the drapes aside, she noticed a whip hanging on the wall. This place was clearly some sort of kinky hotel, with all the necessary tools and costum
The man froze for a moment. Staring at Willow's nearly perfect figure, he wore a lewd grin as he said, "You're just delivering yourself to me. I won't say no to that.""If you dare to touch me, I'll make sure you rot in jail!"Willow glared fiercely at the man. Her demeanor made the man panic for a bit.Stephanie quickly pinned Willow down and said, "Mr. Koch, she's just trying to scare you!"Seeing things spiral out of control, Willow mustered all her strength to push Stephanie away.She then gave Stephanie a big slap, sending her sprawling onto the floor.Clutching her cheek, Stephanie stared up in disbelief. She said, "You dare hit me!"Taking advantage of the man's momentary shock, Willow dashed for the door. Before she could escape, the man grabbed her, and they began to struggle."Where do you think you're going?""Help! Help me!" Willow screamed at the top of her lungs.Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the room. "Open the door!"Bang! Bang! Bang!With a loud "cr
"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