Willow was taken aback. Theodore took her waist as she squirmed and looked at her with his burning, dark gaze."Are you seducing me?"His deep voice was radiating heat as Willow felt a burning sensation starting in her ears. She pressed against his chest and hurriedly cried, "Don't move!"She got even more flustered when she felt something hard in between his thighs. She started to stutter, "L-let… Let go of me."The air between them was intoxicating. Willow felt something pulling her waist forward, and she ended up pressing her body against Theodore. She could feel his stubbly chin, and she felt her senses heighten at every sensation.She couldn't move.Theodore was a stomach illness patient who had just finished his surgery, but he remained strong. Willow felt hot breathing close to her as he nibbled on her earlobe and neck. She started heaving and eventually let out a broken mewl from her throat.Her face turned into a flustered pink immediately. She wanted to bite her damn t
A woman was at the entrance with a chubby boy."I know her, and I need to see her over something. Let me in."Willow's gaze darkened when she heard the woman's voice. Her hands balled into fists. It was Iris!"Ms. Jett is not in office at the moment.""She's not? Quit bluffing. These are all your excuses." Iris started yelling toward the inside, "Willow! Willow!""You can't yell around here. You're disrupting our work.""I'm disrupting your work? Your president is disturbing my family! What do you guys know? She stole my husband. She's ruining my family!""Did you say I'm ruining your family?" A cold voice interrupted Iris' yelling.Iris froze for a second before looking toward Willow. Her gaze was scalding hot, burning Willow.Willow glanced at the boy who had come with Iris, and her gaze darkened again. She gripped her fists as she asked, "Is this your son?"Iris pulled Yaron closer to her. "Yes. Yaron, say hi to the lady here."Willow's nails dug into her palm. Yaron. Yas
"Iris, who are you to tell me to have some decency?" Willow retorted."Of course, I'm speaking as Mrs. Bassett," Iris answered."Mrs. Bassett?" A hint of mockery played at the corners of Willow's lips. "Did Theodore marry you?"Iris' expression changed immediately. "Did he tell you that?"Willow didn't deny it although she only knew it from Erica's emails. Iris had moved into Bassett Residence, but Theodore had never married her."Yeah, we haven't married. So what? We even have a son together. You saw him. That's mine and Theodore's son, the eldest child of the Bassett family.""Do you have a memory issue? Your son is registered under my name since I'm Theodore's ex-wife. Legally, you are completely unrelated to him."Willow scoffed and continued, "So, what right do you have to stand here, telling me to have some decency?"Iris was pissed. "Willow, you've gotten even more sharp-tongued since we last met three years ago. I knew that businesswomen like you were cruel and heartles
Iris was still shaking in exasperation under the sun after she exited Joywell Real Estate."Mom, what's wrong?"Mom?" Yaron shook her arm. "It's so hot here. I want ice cream.""Food, food, food! All you know is to eat! Why didn't you video call your dad when I told you to?"Yaron was startled by Iris' reprimand. Iris looked at Yaron and knew that he was her only hope now."Yaron, let's stay over here for a night. I'll take you to your dad tomorrow."…Over at West Carnia Hospital in the evening, Terence went to Theodore's room with the discharge form."Why are you in such a hurry to leave the hospital? Didn't I tell you? As your attending doctor, I advise you to stay two more days for observation. You'll be alone even if you go back to the hotel anyway. No one will be there to take care of you.""I have a date tonight."Theodore fixed his tie facing the mirror. His well-tailored suit complemented his long legs and impressive figure.Terence's interest was piqued. "A date? W
"Watch them battle it out? That sounds very entertaining indeed," Penny said."Forget it," Willow said wearily. "Their business is none of mine. I'll be thankful so long as they don't come to me and trouble me again."Jessica reminded her, "You're willing to take a step back, but they'll demand more from you if you do that. Tell me. Do you plan to start over in a new place again?"Willow knitted her eyebrows. She wanted to stay away from the drama, but Theodore and Iris ended up finding their way to Portumville, didn't they?Penny said angrily, "What the hell? Why should we be the ones to leave? That jerk and that bitch should get their asses out of our place."Jessica continued drinking rice wine with no expression on her face. She only cast Willow a silent glance from the corner of her eye."I won't leave." Willow frowned and said decisively, "This is Portumville, not Emperia.""That's the spirit!"Regardless of Willow's troubles dampening her mood, the seafood at this restau
Theodore took a deep glance at Willow before turning to leave.Terence was utterly dumbstruck, and he only reacted a moment later. He closed the door and caught up with Theodore, saying, "Theodore, wait for me!"The tension in the room finally dissipated once Theodore and Terence left."I am scared shitless." Penny sighed in relief as she was still feeling unsettled from the encounter just now."Did that scare you?" Willow quickly apologized. "Sorry about that.""Hey, it's okay." Jessica took a jab at Penny in disappointment. "Hadn't you been yelling that you'd beat the hell out of that jerk when you saw him? Why did you chicken out?""I didn't chicken out! I was merely being a law-abiding citizen. Don't you guys know that it's against the law to assault someone? Besides…"Penny's voice grew increasingly smaller. She was clearly intimidated. "He looked like he would kill just now. Weren't you guys scared?""Scared? Never," Jessica said nonchalantly. She filled her cup and clink
Theodore's gaze turned cold as he looked at Willow leaving. Never once did she look back. He unlocked his phone and made a call.Without waiting for the other person to speak, he asked coldly, "Where are you?"The person on the other side of the line froze for a second before blurting out, "Portumville."…Iris stayed on one of the higher floors in a five-star hotel by the Portumville River. When she heard the doorbell ring, she immediately put down the tea she had just made and fixed her hair while looking in the mirror.As if she suddenly thought of something, she quickly carried Yaron, who was eating junk food on the couch."Theodore." She opened the door and shoved Yaron toward Theodore. "Yaron, say hi to your dad. What did I say? Your dad's right here, and he's come to see you so quickly."Theodore's expression remained icy. There was not a trace of love and joy on his face when he saw Yaron. Yaron had always been scared of him, and he was even more frightened now. He hid
The next day, Penny dragged Willow out to shop at the mall to lift their spirits."I pre-ordered a bag here, and the sales assistant told me it's arrived. I'll go and get it today.""You bought another bag? Is your salary enough for that?""Of course, it's enough. I'm a top manager, after all. Don't look down on the working class, okay?"Willow chuckled. Penny took the bag from the sales assistant while Willow aimlessly looked around the store."Miss, this bag has the latest design in our store. You're welcome to try it if you like it.""No thanks."Willow had enough bags at home. She wasn't one to pursue luxury items.Penny emerged with an amber-colored shopping bag. They were about to leave when she saw the bag Willow was holding. "This is so pretty. Is it a new design?""Yes." The sales assistant introduced the bag enthusiastically. "Ms. Ashworth, would you like to try it?""How many colors are there?""There are three colors.""I'll have a look."After a long time of l
"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