After their lunch, Cedar swiftly pulled Willow into her bedroom—a look of concern on his face."Are you seriously dating him?" Cedar questioned.Annoyed, Willow poked his head and retorted, "Mom fell for the money, and you're just going along with her daydreams? Are you blind? Did you ever see me showing the slightest interest in him?""Then why did you ..." Cedar hesitated, fidgeting before continuing, "... kiss?"A blush spread across Willow's face. Hastily, she denied, "That ... That was an accident!"Cedar frowned and took on a more serious tone. "There seem to be a lot of 'accidents' in your case. I get that things have been rough, especially after the divorce. But please, think carefully before jumping into marriage again."Touched by his concern, Willow reassured him with a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I've got this. Just concentrate on your studies. And hey, I'm financially stable now. You can choose to stay or go abroad for your studies."Cedar shook his head dete
Willow successfully ushered Theodore out of the house and toward the alley entrance.She kept talking as they walked. "Actually, Mr. Bassett, I was thinking of arranging another meeting before the project kicks off. It's for—"Her words were abruptly interrupted by a chilly voice. "Mrs. Jett didn't follow us."Willow cleared her throat, attempting to mask her embarrassment. Truth be told, there was no meeting scheduled.Theodore retrieved his phone and called his chauffeur. "I'm at the alley entrance. Come and pick me up."Once he ended the call, Willow swiftly remarked, "Since someone's coming to pick you up, I'll be on my way. I'll catch you in the next meeting, Mr. Bassett."As she prepared to leave, Theodore seized her arm and questioned, "You're the one who dragged me out here, and now you're leaving me alone?"Willow found herself speechless. "That's not what I mean …" "You're looking for some private time, right? Consider your wish granted," Theodore declared.Willow w
Having been with Theodore for a considerable time, Clark could instinctively grasp his intentions. After a brief pause, he asked the most likely question, "Is Ms. Jett thinking about renting an office?"The question received a soft hum of approval from Theodore.Understanding his task, Clark asked, "Got it. Should we lower the rent, Mr. Bassett?""No. Charge it at the market price," Theodore instructed. He knew Willow wasn't one to take advantage of others' generosity. Plus, she wasn't in dire financial straits. In truth, Theodore wouldn't have offered his assistance if he hadn't considered the security concerns in other locations.Meanwhile, Willow had gone to explore the office building the real estate agent recommended."It's a bit run-down, but the rent is reasonable. You know how it goes; you get what you pay for." As the agent showcased the office, Willow glanced around. However, she wasn't particularly impressed with the choice given."It feels a bit gloomy without natural
Willow's messages kept popping up on the screen. "How did you find out where I rented my place? Did Matthew tell you that?"Holding her phone, Joey responded slowly, "I happen to know his friend, so I took a guess."Willow texted back, "Got it. Are you joining us for dinner, then?""Nah, I have a video conference tonight. Maybe next time," Joey replied."Alright." After replying to Joey's message, Willow signaled to the real estate agent to leave the premises."I want you to look for a better office building. It doesn't have to be big, but the surroundings should be favorable," she stated her requirements."No problem," the real estate agent agreed. Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Joey set her phone aside and used the basin to help herself stand up. Gazing at her haggard self in the mirror, she cupped a handful of cold water and splashed it on her face. As she tenderly touched her damp skin, the resolve and kindness in her eyes transformed into self-deprecation.She didn't p
Matthew asked, "Did you call Joey?""I did, but she said she couldn't make it because she needed to work overtime. It's a pity. Joey would've loved to dine at a place like this. She's always been into the arts," said Willow. Matthew's eyes glinted. "Really? I didn't know."Willow said, "Are you kidding? The three of us have known each other for so many years, and you still don't know what Joey is like? Didn't you two work together for some time after graduation?""You misunderstood, Willow. My work interaction with Joey was only as a firm representing her company. We didn't really communicate in our own time because we were both pretty busy.""Then you should contact her more. Both of you are single. Who knows what might blossom?""Willow." Matthew grew stern all of a sudden."I was just joking.""Don't joke about these kinds of things," Matthew said.Willow was taken aback for a moment. "Sorry, Matthew."Matthew's tone softened as if realizing he'd spoken too coldly. It's
Willow went to check out of the hotel first thing after going back to it.She had stayed here for three months since moving out from Strand Villa and the end of the lawsuit. The fees were not cheap. Though Willow had some money now, she still winced when she thought of the bill."Hello, I'd like to check out tomorrow at midday. Could I please have the bill?""Which room are you staying in, miss?""Room 1204.""Ms. Jett, yes? You don't need to pay for your stay in this room."Willow was taken aback. "Has it been paid already?" The receptionist smiled. "Mr. Bassett is one of our hotel's investors."Only then did Willow come to her senses.She returned to her room and lounged on the couch, sighing. She owed Theodore yet another favor now.Willow feared owing favors the most. What could be resolved with money in this world was better settled with it rather than favors, as favors tended to be difficult to return.After some hesitation, Willow still drafted a message to Theodore.
Willow tossed and turned, unable to sleep. All that came to mind when she closed her eyes was her time spent with Theodore. His voice still rang in her ears.Willow couldn't deny the fact that he was quite charming.The next morning, Willow gathered her few belongings and moved to her new place."You can leave those right there, thanks." After sending the movers off, Willow shut the door and stood in the living room, feeling refreshed and alert.The doorbell suddenly rang."Coming!" Willow ran over to open the door, thinking it was a mover who forgot to take their things.But when she opened the door, she saw Clark standing right outside."Mr. Arden, what are you doing here?""Good day, Ms. Jett. Mr. Bassett knew you were moving house today, so he had me bring some daily essentials over." Clark revealed the bag in his hand.Willow was surprised. "Daily necessities?"She glanced at Clark, then at the woman behind him. "And who might this be?"The beautiful young woman was d
Willow was clearing up her luggage in the living room when the sound of a door slamming shut rang out from the kitchen.The sudden noise shocked her. She glanced at the kitchen just in time to see Linda cutting up a fish. With a loud chop, Linda cut the head right off of the fish.Chills ran down Willow's spine as her heart quivered lightly. She quietly looked away.Why did it feel like Willow was the one whose head Linda intended to chop off?Clark picked up Theodore right around the same time. Theodore had an international conference meeting at the National Convention Center earlier in the morning. He was supposed to have lunch with his business partners but had already postponed said lunch."Why did you send Linda to Ms. Jett's house to cook lunch, sir? I'm concerned Ms. Jett won't be able to get along with Linda, especially with how irritated she is. Why didn't you send Dinah to cook instead? She cooks much better than Linda does.""Dinah talks too much." Theodore shot Clar
"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