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
Willow waited outside the hospital's entrance with her phone in hand.The August morning was somewhat cold, especially with the rainfall earlier. Willow was only wearing a thin knit blouse. She couldn't withstand the cold after some time and turned to go back to the hospital ward."Willow."Just then, a male voice rang out from behind her.Willow instinctively turned around. Before she could further react, she was pulled into someone's arms.Willow could hear the pounding heartbeat underneath the man's thick coat. It was as if the person had run the way over."I thought something happened to you."The voice that rumbled from above Willow's head made her stop struggling.It was impossible to fake worry over someone.Willow was so taken aback that she forgot to push him away. She was held by him out in public while passersby watched. It took a while before she returned to her senses."Let me go first."Only then did Theodore release Willow.The wind stirred her hair up, revea
Willow hadn't been cared for by someone in a long time. It was a strange warmth indeed.Later that afternoon, Hailey brought some foreign snacks to the Bassett Residence. All of them were Sara's favorites.Sara beamed at her, saying, "Stay for dinner tonight, Hailey. I need to thank you properly for bringing me so many treats.""No, thank you, Grandma. I still have errands to run later.""What sort of important errands could you possibly have? I'll ask Theodore to come and join us for dinner later.""I really can't, Grandma." Hailey looked troubled. "Grandma, it's best I don't show up too much around Theo. He's about to get married, after all. I still know my ethics."Sara's brows knit together."Anyway, I'll come see you again when I'm free. Bye now." Hailey then got up to leave.Sara exchanged some courteous words with her but didn't stop her from leaving.Ellie sighed after Hailey left. "Hailey knows what her limits are, Mom. She won't be coming to visit often now that Theo
Willow returned to the company to host a meeting the next morning.Her plan was to take precautionary action against Sonia for what she had done to the old woman the day before. But the moment she reached the office, she felt something off about its atmosphere."Good morning, Ms. Jett.""Good morning.""Ms. Jett.""Good morning."On the way to the conference room, Willow met several subordinates who seemed to be gossiping amongst themselves. All of them had their phones in hand.Abraham arrived right when she was wondering why. "Good morning, Ms. Jett.""Good morning, Mr. Yarrow. Did something happen in the company?""What happened?" Abraham was just as confused. "Nothing, as far as I can recall."Willow didn't spend any more time wondering. "Let's just get the meeting over with first."The project team had already arrived in the conference room when they arrived. Willow first gave a short opening statement, "The funds have largely reached our budget goals. Some of the mat
Quentin's eyes swept across everyone's faces as he said coldly, "This meeting is over. The company will be hosting a press conference later this afternoon to apologize to the public for the matter at hand. Willow is officially deposed from her position as project manager."Quentin then shot Willow a look before walking away.The meeting had ended just like that before it had even begun. The team members all looked at one another.Abraham said, "All of you can go now."He then asked Willow, "Why didn't you clarify the situation with Mr. Strand, Ms. Jett?""What's there to clarify? Do you think Mr. Strand wanted to hear my explanation? He's dying to find a mistake I made so he can kick me off my position as project manager. That way, Bassett Corporation will have nothing to complain about since it'd be in the public interest.""What do you mean?"Willow's hands balled into fists. "If it all goes according to plan, Sonia is going to frame me for everything during the press conferen