Jean's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "Wait, Ms. Jett… you're Mrs. Bassett? I've been living here for three years, and this is the first time we've met. Are you fully recovered now?"Willow shot Theodore a sharp glare at the mention of "recovered" before forcing a tight smile at Jean. "Yes, I'm feeling much better now." "That's great to hear, Mrs. Bassett. Now you'll be able to take Yasmine out to play more often, right? Lily would love to have a playmate.""Yeah," Willow responded, though her voice was tinged with hesitation."Something's happening at home. Come with me," Theodore said."You can just tell me about it here," Willow replied. She didn't want to cut Yasmine and Lily's playtime short, especially since they had just met and Willow had learned about Lily's condition.Theodore was quick to see through her concern. He asked, "Ms. Linton, would you mind watching Yasmine for a bit?"Before Willow could say a word, Theodore had already grabbed her by the arm and was l
The morning sunlight glistened on the lake, scattering a thousand flickers of light across its surface. Yasmine and Lily crouched by the water's edge, splashing and giggling as their laughter rang out like a chorus of bells.Their sound was so full of life in the golden light, that even Jean, sitting apart from them, felt its warmth. She found herself smiling. It had been so long since she'd seen Lily this happy.Jean gazed at Yasmine's face, noticing how much she resembled Theodore and Willow. The more she looked, the more certain she became that she'd seen Willow somewhere before.Maybe it was just a passing encounter in the neighborhood since they lived nearby. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was something more.The distant rumble of a car engine suddenly cut through the air, snapping Jean to her feet. Ever since the close call with Lily on the road three years ago, the sound of an engine had set her on edge. She didn't relax until the noise faded into the distance,
Yasmine was quick-witted. She latched onto Theodore's leg without hesitation. "Pick me up."Theodore laughed and effortlessly scooped her up with one arm. "Let's go."Willow followed close behind, refusing to let Yasmine get away with it. "So, you've got yourself a knight in shining armor, huh? But I'm telling you, Yasmine, lying is never okay! Never!"…Cedar pulled his white sedan up to the garage of Bassett Villa and stepped out. He moved through the garage and into the front door like he'd done it a hundred times before.Kathy was busy prepping ingredients for lunch in the kitchen. She was too focused to notice his arrival.Cedar adjusted his glasses and stepped into the living room. He glanced around quickly to find the room empty. Through the billowing curtains, he saw the swing in the backyard swaying.The morning sun was bright, and a breeze drifted through the air.A lone figure sat on the swing, exuding a calm, distant air. Her long hair flowed over her shoulders like
After Kathy quietly slipped into the kitchen, the living room was left with just Willow and Cedar.Willow yanked open the fridge door. "What do you want to drink?"Cedar snapped out of his thoughts. "Water is fine."Willow gripped the fridge door harder, then spun around to face him. Her voice sounded sharp as she remarked, "Oh, so you're just going to wait for me to start, huh? Mr. Jett?"Cedar was caught off guard. "Willow."Her frustration burned hotter, and she slammed the fridge door shut. "Do you even remember who I am? I thought you decided to forget I'm your sister. Are you enjoying your life overseas? Now you're an architect and don't need your family, is that it?""You were the one who ignored me first back then.""Me, ignoring you?" Willow's voice shot up. "Really think about it. Was I the one who ignored you?"Back then, she had just arrived in Portumville, barely staying afloat while hiding from Theodore and nursing her own emotional wounds. She was struggling just
Willow was about to rise when Cedar's voice stopped her."I'll go get her," he said, standing. "This is between us, and I need to set things right.""Be careful, Cedar," Penny muttered, clicking her tongue as she shook her head. "Jessica's got a real temper. If she doesn't want to come down for lunch, leave her. We don't have to cater to her princess moods."Cedar gave a small smile but said nothing. He asked everyone to start eating without him, then headed upstairs.In the second-floor guest room facing south, Jessica sat restlessly in a chair on the wide balcony. Her stomach growled as the delicious smell of food wafted up from downstairs.If she had known she'd be skipping lunch, she never would have listened to Penny's absurd advice earlier and walked away from the table after barely eating. Now, hunger gnawed at her, leaving her irritable.A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts."Who is it?" Jessica called."It's me." Cedar's voice came from the other side of the do
"Why hasn't he come down yet?" Penny glanced anxiously up the stairs. "Do you think Jessica tore into Cedar so bad he might be crying?""Do you really think so?" Willow asked."Why not? You remember how she chased off a dozen assistants with that razor-sharp tongue of hers, right? She's brutal and never admits when she's wrong. I'm worried Cedar might be in real trouble," Penny said as her face clouded with concern."Why is Uncle Cedar in trouble?" Yasmine asked, blinking with curiosity."Because he's up against someone really fierce," Penny replied with a serious look."Fierce? Like a dinosaur?" Yasmine asked."Even scarier than a dinosaur," Penny said before shaping her hands like claws. "Rawr!"Yasmine giggled so hard that she fell into Theodore's arms.He held her close and gently patted her back to help her catch her breath. "Time to eat your lunch now."Even Willow hadn't realized that Cedar, who always seemed so mild and unassuming, had quietly become a force to be reck
"Hello?" Theodore answered the phone as he stepped out from behind his desk. A deep crease formed on his forehead as he listened to Sean's voice from the other end. "Do we know what caused it yet?""They're saying it was a brake failure. The service center just towed the car, and we won't have the inspection results until tonight." Sean paused briefly before continuing, "But if it turns out to be deliberate and the driver happened to be Ms. Jett…"Theodore went quiet for a moment, and his expression hardened. "Get to the bottom of this. Fast."As soon as Theodore hung up the phone, Cedar turned to him. "What's going on? What happened?""Willow might not be safe in Emperia.""What are you talking about?" Cedar's voice tensed with concern.Theodore's grip on the phone tightened as he glanced out the study window. Willow, Penny, Jessica, and Yasmine were enjoying their time together in the backyard. His expression darkened with concern."Don't worry. I'll take care of it," he said.
Willow and Clark hadn't seen each other in the three years since she left Emperia. Just as she was about to leave, she overheard Clark speaking to Theodore."Mr. Bassett, the results from the service center's inspection are in. It turns out the brake failure was no accident. It was tampered with. If Ms. Jett hadn't lost her keys that day, she would've been the one in the crash. His target was Ms. Jett.""No, his target was me." Theodore's voice was grim. He cast a long, dark glance toward the ICU. "Zeke went bankrupt here, and now, three years later, he's managed to get his company listed overseas. He's playing the game well—disappearing and reappearing just when it suits him."Clark's expression was grave. "Goldstone Group was built on dirty money and ruthless moves. When the anti-crime investigation caught up to them three years ago, Zeke threatened you to help him. You refused, and it looks like he's been holding onto that grudge ever since.""Have Iris go to Yaron's birthday ba
"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