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
Willow just so happened to notice. She praised, "You're amazing, Linda.""Thank you. I'm glad you like it." Linda smiled, then said to Theodore, "Please enjoy your meal, Mr. Bassett. I'll be going now.""Don't. Come join us," Willow immediately suggested.But Linda undid her apron without another word and said politely, "Maybe next time. Do let me know if there's anything you don't like about the food. I'll improve further."Linda then left with Clark.Willow tried asking them to stay, but her only response was the door shutting before her eyes.Only Theodore and Willow were left alone in the large house. Awkwardness filled the air."Where's the washroom?" Theodore asked, breaking the silence.Willow pointed to the side. "Right there."As she watched Theodore go, she pulled out a chair and sat down. She felt nervous.Why did she let Theodore into her house just like that? It didn't seem very appropriate.Theodore went to wash his hands. When he returned, he sat down right be
"That hurts!" Willow covered her eyes slightly when she clutched her forehead. She peeked at Theodore through her fingers, noticing how his smile had widened.It was a rare sight to see him smiling. As far as Willow could recall, Theodore's demeanor was always icy and unreadable, except when he smiled in such a way that terrified one to the core.Who knew Theodore would be one to tease others?"What? Do you want to pay Linda? I can help you get in touch with her," Theodore said."I'm not the one who instructed her to come here and cook," Willow huffed. "Do you have any idea how awkward it was to have someone come over here without my permission with all sorts of groceries in tow?""I'll inform you beforehand next time.""Next time? Please spare Linda and me, Theodore."Linda, a Master's degree holder in Financial Economics, was reduced to a mere cook. She might not say it out loud, but she must internally hate Willow to the core because of this.Theodore didn't respond. He held
Hailey's hands balled into fists. Once her plan was completed and she married Theodore, the first thing she would do was fire all of his female secretaries. That way, Hailey could reduce any possible risks in the future."Since Mr. Bassett isn't here, Ms. Godfrey, should we head home?" Hailey's driver asked."Head home?" Hailey took a moment to think. She then said, "Head to the bakery we went to last time and then to Bassett Residence."Hailey couldn't do anything when it came to Theodore. But since Madam Sara was fond of her, she had to do all she could to make a good impression. This was her last chance.They soon arrived at Bassett Residence. Unfortunately, Madam Sara was taking an afternoon nap."Come and have some tea, Hailey. It's a wonderful green tea," Ellie said. She had poured out a cup of tea for Hailey. "You came at a bad time. Madam Sara usually takes a nap around this hour right until 2:00 pm."Hailey's annoyance was clearly shown on her face now after failing to
After lunch, Willow poured a cup of tea for Theodore. "This is jasmine tea.""Thank you." Theodore took the cup and looked around Willow's house.It had two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. The house was built specifically for first-time homebuyers. Most people couldn't afford a decent, economically friendly house in Emperia even if they worked all their lives here. It was the city center after all."This house is built in a pretty good location.""Really? I've never done my research on it. But it is pretty convenient around here," Willow answered as she cleared the table. "It's all thanks to my friend for finding this place for me.""That lawyer friend of yours?""Yep."Theodore's brows furrowed lightly as he sunk into thought."Is there anything you need help with here in the house?" he asked."No." Willow shook her head. "I've already cleared everything away.""Good. Come with me to the project site later in the afternoon."Willow was left speechless. She told Th
What was she thinking?Meanwhile, Theodore was on the way back to Bassett Residence.The butler had called him earlier to tell him that Sara felt unwell all of sudden. He was requesting Theodore go back home as soon as possible.If it weren't for Sara's health, Theodore wouldn't have returned to the country to take over Bassett Corporation after his father's death."You're back, Mr. Theodore," the butler greeted."Where's Grandma? Why didn't you send her to the hospital?"The butler said in a hesitant manner, "Madam Sara said it wasn't a big deal, so there was no need to go to the hospital.""I'll give Terence a call." Theodore then prepared to call his friend over.Before he could make said call, Ellie came out from Sara's room. "You don't need to call Dr. Roth, Theodore. Grandma wants you to come inside right away."With furrowed brows, Theodore walked in."Grandma."Sara was sitting in her armchair. Her expression was gloomy yet not sickly at all."You're back," she sa
"Has the company received Bassett Corporation's investment funds yet? Good. Remember to maintain strict control during the procurement process," said the person on the other end of the line. "Alright, I'll be there in a while," Willow said.She set her phone down on a rack in the washroom and started putting on nude lipstick. With her good complexion, the lipstick made her appear elegant and composed.Bassett Corporation's investment funds were flooding in as the project progressed. Willow had been busy with the procurement process in the past few days. Now that it was over, all she needed to do was to survey the project site now and then."We're here.""Thank you, sir." Willow stepped out of the cab.She gazed at the dingy town before her. All she could see was how lively and thriving it would be in the future.This was Oldtown, a site in Emperia South, where her company was teaming up with Bassett Corporation. Their plan was to establish a vintage town featuring elements of l
Sonia clasped her arms together and said matter-of-factly, "Strand Real Estate's CEO, of course. Mr. Strand may have appointed you as project manager, but he didn't exclude anyone else from being part of the team. I'm just trying to help.""This is your definition of help?" Willow glanced at the house. The entrance was strewn with things. Someone had clearly tried knocking down the wooden front door. It was now hanging off its hinges.Sonia didn't care at all. "Did you lose touch with reality, Willow? We've already paid the old lady, but she refuses to move out. It's clear she's trying to scam more money out of us. Therefore, we can only resort to these tactics. Do you want to be responsible for delaying the project's progress?"Sonia then instructed, "Tear the place down.""Let's see you try!" Willow snapped."You don't need to go all out, Willow. Aren't you happy with me being the bad guy right now?""Sonia Sutton, as this project's manager, I hereby declare that you have been
"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