"That's also a snack," Willow said with resignation. Why did she even think about letting a child choose?"Never mind, I'll decide. There's a place I often go to in this mall. Let's just eat there.""Miss, did you come here by yourself?" Yasmine asked sweetly while holding onto her hand.After hearing her question, Willow paused. Then, she responded, "No, I came with two of my friends."Yasmine blinked. "Then why aren't they here?"Willow sighed again. "I made a little mistake, so they're mad at me right now. Once they're not angry anymore in a couple of days, I'll bring you to meet them, okay?"Jessica and Penny were probably still upset. They hadn't replied to any of her messages since last night.The waiter led Willow to a table by the window."Could you please make the food a bit lighter on the stomach? Something suitable for kids. And aside from that, a plate of glazed pork chops, please.""Sure."Willow handed the menu back to the waiter, then glanced over at Yasmine. T
Seeing this, Penny tapped Jessica's shoulder. "What are you doing? You're scaring the kid."Only then did Jessica snap out of it. With a more serious expression, she asked, "What's going on with this child? Can you explain?"Willow recounted the events of the previous night."Oh, so she got lost? Her parents must be something else. I mean, with all the kidnappers out there nowadays…"Penny grabbed a piece of pork and put it on Yasmine's plate. "Eat more.""Thank you, Ms. Ashworth.""You're such a good girl. Go ahead and eat."Only Jessica seemed unmoved by the child's cuteness. She broke the cheerful mood with a blunt question. "So, when is she leaving?"Penny kicked her under the table and said in a low voice, "Hey, keep it down! The kid's right here.""The police said they'll take her once they find her parents, but what if they never do? You can't just keep her at your place forever. She's not related to you."Willow said, "Let her stay for now. It's not a big deal, right?
Why was he here?When she spotted the person outside the car window, Penny jabbed at Jessica with her elbow and signaled her to look outside."Speak of the devil, and the devil appears," Penny remarked as she glanced around. "He wouldn't have installed surveillance in your car, would he?""Stop making things up."Willow handed Yasmine to the two women and said, "Take Yasmine upstairs first.""Are you really going to see him?""I have no reason to avoid him." With that, Willow got out of the car.Behind her, Penny and Jessica walked straight past Theodore and into the building with Yasmine. They occasionally glanced back at them with curiosity."Why are you here?" Willow asked with a serious expression.Theodore's demeanor was less tense than the night before, though it was still far from cheerful."I came to apologize.""Apologize? For what?""For leaving without telling you last night.""This is just a small issue, so you don't have to apologize. Mr. Bassett, you're free
"What are you two whispering about?" Willow asked as she looked at the two huddled together across from her.Penny immediately looked up and replied, "Nothing much. Jessica said she's staying over tonight.""Alright, then Yasmine will sleep with me tonight."Willow patted Yasmine on the head and asked, "Is that okay, Yasmine?""Sure," Yasmine said while handing Willow a washed strawberry. "Ms. Jett, here. Try the strawberry.""Thanks, Yasmine."Penny shot Jessica a look and said with a low voice, "Stop making things up. How could that be? Also, don't bring up Willow's child. It's like reopening old wounds.""Alright."Jessica hadn't meant to bring it up intentionally. She just found it too coincidental that Yasmine resembled both of them so much.…That night, it rained.For the first time in a long while, Willow dreamed of her daughter.After leaving Emperia three years ago, she had struggled with insomnia for a long time, let alone being able to dream. Later on, she had t
"Isabel, nothing happens without a reason. What's Mr. Bassett doing this time? Swinging by and conveniently dropping off coffee to butter us up? Didn't he already divorce Ms. Jett?" one of the secretaries muttered."Yeah, and he even worked with us on the amusement park project, and in turn gave up several percentage points of profit. It was so easy to negotiate with him.""I bet he wants to get back together.""Honestly, I think that'd be great. Mr. Bassett is so handsome, and he and Ms. Jett looked perfect together."Isabel finished making tea and cast a glance at them. "Mr. Bassett's business isn't something for you all to gossip about. Get back to work. Do you all have nothing better to do?"The group stuck out their tongues sheepishly before rushing back to their desks.Suddenly, Isabel remembered something and quickly returned to the office.It wasn't Theodore's first time visiting Willow's office. Without waiting for someone to guide him, he pushed the door open and walke
Yasmine was stunned and seemed to sit further back. She looked nervous as she asked, "What are you doing?"Theodore realized his tone might have sounded too stern and probably scared Yasmine. After calming himself, he asked, "Did I scare you?"Seeing that he didn't seem to mean any harm, Yasmine relaxed a bit.She curiously looked up and down at the handsome man in front of her. Suddenly, she asked, "Mister, do you have a girlfriend?"Theodore was momentarily stunned. "No."Upon hearing that, Yasmine smiled as if she had just seen through him. She asked, "Are you trying to woo Ms. Jett?"…By the time Willow finished her meeting, it was already noon. "That's all for now. You guys should think over the proposal. You may go have lunch," she said. The people in the meeting room quickly dispersed like a flock of birds.Isabel approached Willow and reported, "Ms. Jett, Mr. Bassett has arrived.""Hmm?" Willow was slightly surprised. "Weren't we scheduled for the evening?""Yes, b
"Wait for me!" Willow exclaimed.…Soon, the three of them found a nearby restaurant for lunch.Surprisingly, Theodore was considerate. He knew that a child's meal was different from an adult's, so he instructed the chef to cook Yasmine's steak well-done and with minimal seasoning."Yasmine, wipe your hands.""They're clean!"Yasmine grinned and made a funny face at Theodore.He patiently cut her steak into small pieces and even wiped her mouth after each bite.As she watched how meticulously he cared for Yasmine, Willow found herself momentarily lost in thought.Maybe he wasn't the ideal husband, but he would make a great father. He probably spent a lot of time taking care of children at home, which explained why Iris often used their child as a shield.After lunch, Yasmine was drawn to the children's play area. A waiter led her away, leaving Willow and Theodore alone at the table."I remember you don't have many relatives, and that your mom raised you and your brother on h
Willow inexplicably agreed to Theodore's request.She couldn't even explain her own actions. She wasn't sure if she truly wanted to give Yasmine a good time before her biological parents took her away, or if it was an attempt to soothe the guilt she'd carried for three years and pretending that her own daughter was still alive.Whatever the case was, both she and Theodore knew neither of them were there for work.…"Work? What kind of work is he so busy with that he can't even answer the phone?"In her hotel room, Iris clutched her phone and angrily shouted at Sean on the other end. "Tell me where he is right now!""Ms. Saville, I'm sorry. I can't share that information with you. If there's anything you need, feel free to tell me, and I'll handle it.""Handle it? How could you possibly handle it? My son is sick and needs his father by his side. Can you take care of that?""Ms. Saville." Sean said with obvious exasperation, "Please try to understand Mr. Bassett. Every time you'v
"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