"Theodore, you're being unreasonable!" she snapped."I can be even more unreasonable if you don't eat," he replied calmly."I didn't refuse to eat. I just don't want to eat with you.""Well, you've got it wrong. Starting today, unless I'm away on business, if I'm in Emperia, you'll be eating all three meals with me every day.""You—""Do you want me to feed you, or will you do it yourself?" His deep voice lingered in her ear. His gaze remained fixed on her as he held the milk in front of her, waiting for her decision.Willow was so furious that her eyes burned with anger. She had no choice but to grab the milk, gulping it down in a few large swallows. "Can you let go of me now?"Theodore glanced at the table. Willow was so frustrated that she nearly grounded her teeth to dust.Even after she finished the breakfast Kathy had prepared, Theodore still showed no intention of releasing her.With one last bit of egg left on the plate, Willow snapped, "I can't eat anymore!""Then
Willow arrived at Bassett Corporation with the lunch Kathy had packed."Madam Willow, Mr. Bassett is still in a meeting. Please wait for him in his office." Dinah's face lit up as soon as she saw Willow. She quickly made Willow some tea and brought out some snacks."Madam Willow, it's been so long since I last saw you. I missed the Sip and See party yesterday because something came up at the last minute, so I haven't seen the baby yet. Linda and the others were talking about how adorable she is."Willow smiled and replied, "I have photos. Would you like to see them?""Can I?""Of course." Willow immediately unlocked her phone. She presented Dinah with an album filled with photos of Yasmine from birth until now.As Dinah admired each photo, Willow's mind drifted back over the past month. It amazed her how quickly Yasmine had grown. She had transformed from a tiny red-faced newborn into a plump, soft little baby in just a few weeks."She's growing so fast.""Yes. Babies grow up
Every morning and afternoon, Willow waited for Theodore. However, he always maintained a distant demeanor, and his bodyguards never allowed her to get close.That continued until a week later, on a Monday afternoon. After Theodore finished his morning meeting, he suddenly asked Clark. "Is she still downstairs?"Clark hesitated slightly before he replied, "Yes.""It's been a week already. She's persistent. How is Strand Real Estate doing?""Since Willow took over, Strand Real Estate has made some progress in the past two years. However, Bassett Corporation doesn't need to collaborate with such a small, insignificant company. No matter how persistent she is, it's not worth it," Clark advised."Bassett Corporation also started as a small company."Theodore's remark made Clark straighten up immediately. "Yes, Mr. Bassett."At that moment, Dinah entered to deliver Theodore's lunch. Theodore suddenly stopped her and instructed, "Take her to the cafeteria for lunch."Dinah sighed with
Iris barged into the CEO's office, and Linda and a group of secretaries tried to block her.However, no one dared to lay a hand on her because she was pregnant, and if anything went wrong, no one could bear the responsibility.At that moment, Willow stepped out. Iris hadn't expected to see Willow here. Her expression changed in an instant. "What are you doing here?""I'm visiting in my husband's office. Do I need to report that to you?"Willow glanced at Iris with undisguised disdain. She noticed the items being carried by the maid standing behind Iris. "What did you bring?""It's a soup I made," Iris replied. "I came to apologize to Theodore for what happened yesterday.""You made the soup? Did Theodore ask you to come?"Iris found herself unable to respond. But before she could say another word, Dinah, one of the secretaries, mocked her."Impossible. If Mr. Bassett had asked her to come, he would've told us in advance. She wouldn't have been stopped at the door."I've work
"What do you think you're doing?" The maid instinctively shielded Iris, but the thermos she was holding was quickly snatched away by Willow.Without hesitation, Willow tossed it straight into the trash can in front of them. A loud band echoed through the room.In the secretary's office, Dinah and the others heard the commotion. As they were about to take a look, Linda stopped them. "Stay seated. No one can go out now.""I'm just worried Madam Willow might be getting bullied.""Do you really think Ms. Jett is someone who can be easily bullied?"Linda's calm reply reassured everyone in the office.Dinah gave Linda a curious glance and said thoughtfully, "Linda, I always thought you didn't like Madam Willow.""That's what you thought." Linda glanced at her before adding, "Now, get back to work."…In the hallway, Willow wiped her hands and said indifferently, "I'll make sure to tell Theodore you came by. I'll pass along your regards. You can leave now."Unwilling to back down, I
Iris was leaning against the headboard while Bernice tried to comfort her. "Ms. Saville, don't listen to what Willow said. She's just taking advantage of the fact that you don't have an official status right now."Once you give birth, with Madam Sara's support, everything will change."However, Iris seemed oblivious to her words. She kept looking at her phone. Suddenly, the phone rang. When she saw "Theodore" on the screen, her eyes lit up. She quickly answered the call."Theodore.""You came to the office this afternoon?" His voice was cold and emotionless.Iris' heart skipped a bit before responding, "Yes… Did Willow tell you?""If you need anything in the future, call me. If you can't reach me, contact Clark. Don't come to the office again."Iris' face paled. As she gripped the phone tightly, she replied, "Theodore, are you annoyed with me? If I'm bothering you, I can leave."Theodore paused before saying, "You're close to your due date, so it's safer for you to stay at home
Willow's back stiffened when she felt a weight settle on her shoulders. She grudgingly said, "It's getting late, Mom. Theodore and I need to rest, you should turn in early as well.""Yeah. It is late. You two went for your follow-up at the hospital today, right? I talked to Terence, and he said Willow's recovery is going really well. It's been over a month now… you guys can finally engage in some activities," Erica said with a knowing smile."Mom, bye."Willow nearly bit her tongue before she quickly ended the video call. The room instantly fell into an awkward silence."I'll take a shower first," Willow said, coming up with a flimsy excuse.But before she could get up, she was pulled back onto the sofa. At that moment, her silky hair spilled down her shoulders.Theodore's imposing figure loomed over her and his cold gaze flickered over her still-damp hair. He asked in a low and husky voice, "Didn't you already shower?""I-I…" Willow's breathing quickened as she stuttered.She
The next evening, Willow attended a corporate banquet with Theodore. The event was a charity auction to raise funds for a mountainous region. It was organized by an antique dealership.Naturally, the attendees were the elite of Emperia. They were all wealthy and influential figures from all walks of life.Although she had been out of the professional scene for some time, Willow still had a keen understanding of market dynamics. She figured this was the perfect opportunity to make some valuable new connections.Unfortunately, reality wasn't as kind as she had hoped.When she stood next to Theodore, people treated her politely enough. However, the moment he stepped away, the dismissiveness became all too obvious."I don't usually handle business matters. That's my husband's job. I'm sorry, Mrs. Bassett.""Oh, but isn't tonight supposed to be about charity? Let's not talk business. It's such a buzzkill."Soon, one by one, they all made convenient excuses and left, leaving Willow st
"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