Theodore wasn't irritated at all.Beside them, Clark was surprised at this. He returned to his senses when Theodore shot him a look. He then left the room silently."Have some tea, Mrs. Jett." Theodore poured a cup for Helen. "The weather hasn't been the best these past few days. What brings you here?""I brought you something to eat." Helen excitedly laid out the container of food she'd prepared. "I specially made these braised ribs for you, Theodore. There's also some chicken noodle soup. They're both really good for your health. You should eat healthier with how hard you work. You're too skinny."Theodore smiled faintly. "Thank you for taking the trouble to come all the way here. It must've been a long trip.""No trouble at all. Willow really is a dense woman. You've helped her so much, yet she's always so distant and ungrateful. As her mother, of course I'd be concerned. She's a stubborn woman, so don't mind her.""She's a good person," Theodore responded."You think she is?
The street lamps in Emperia lit up one by one as night fell.Willow stormed out of the neighborhood. She stood still to rest from exhaustion after walking along the street for who-knows-how-long. The more Willow thought about how Ellie had insulted her earlier today and how her mother had gone to find Theodore unabashedly, the more she got angry. She kicked a nearby tree.Her mother's reckless actions had brought her so much trouble in the past.The sudden blare of a car horn made her look up. A black luxury car slowly came to a stop beside her. Its back window rolled down slowly, revealing the man inside.Theodore?Willow was stunned.Theodore glanced at her before saying, "What's wrong? Why are you out here at this time of night venting your anger on a tree?"Willow's brows furrowed. "Why are you here?"Clark's voice rang out from the front seat. "Mr. Bassett's just dropped Mrs. Jett off at home. He was about to leave when he saw you out here."Willow gritted her teeth.S
Willow got out of the car and thanked Theodore through the door. "Thank you.""You're thanking me? Your mother brought me food.""Not for that. For the office building."Theodore's brows furrowed slightly.Willow nodded in the car's direction before turning back to walk into the neighborhood.Theodore sat back in his seat, thoughtful. "When did she figure out about the building?"Clark was curious, too. "The agent said Ms. Jett called to agree to the contract this afternoon. The agent wondered why she'd confirm it so soon, too."Theodore's gaze grew solemn.When Willow returned home, Helen had already left.Willow spotted the sliced fruit left on the coffee table. A note under it read, "Remember to eat more fruits. It will oxidize and lose its quality if left out for too long. The ribs and soup just need heating up before you eat them. Don't leave it uneaten for too long."Willow's eyes suddenly filled with tears.Helen was on the bus going back home right now.Her phone bu
The next morning, Willow contacted a renovator to refurbish the office building."Not many changes need to be done besides fixing the walls. The building's office fixtures are still new. Most of them are usable right away.""How long will it take for you guys to finish everything?""Oh, very fast. We should be able to install everything within a week."Willow was discussing the renovation layout with the contractors when a familiar male voice sounded from the door."Willow.""Matthew?" Willow saw that Matthew had come by and told the contractors to proceed first. She then went over to Matthew. "What brings you here?"Matthew was dressed in a suit and had a briefcase in hand. He was the epitome of male elegance right now. "I just finished a meeting with a client nearby and decided to stop by. How's the renovation going?""Pretty smoothly. It's a good thing Joey recommended this contractor to me. They're very reliable."Matthew's eyes glinted. "Joey recommended it to you?""Yea
Night fell.Theodore had just returned to his office after a meeting.The moment he set his phone on the desk, he received an anonymous text message. There was nothing but a photo included."These are today's meeting minutes, sir. Do … " Clark stopped when he saw Theodore's expression. "What is it, Mr. Bassett?"Theodore set his phone down. A photo was on his screen.Clark curiously peered at it, only to find it to be a photo of two people eating in a restaurant. One was Willow, and the other was Matthew Evans, the lawyer who acted as Willow's counsel in the prior lawsuit."Isn't this Ms. Jett and Mr. Evans?" The moment Clark said this out loud, he realized something was off and quickly shut up. He carefully observed Theodore's expression. "They're just having a meal, sir. Maybe Ms. Jett has something she needs to consult Mr. Evans with."How bold of Matthew to set his eyes on the woman Theodore Bassett was interested in.Clark shivered lightly. Theodore never showed his emotio
"Clark?" Willow stared at the man who was paying his bill at the cash register. "You're having dinner here too?"Clark smiled forcefully and greeted, "Ms Jett."Willow instinctively glanced behind him. "Is Theodore here too?""Oh, no. I'm here alone for dinner."Willow heaved a sigh of relief. She said with a smile, "What a coincidence to meet you here."Clark nodded politely. He then greeted Matthew, who stood behind Willow, "Mr. Evans."Matthew waved hi.The three people then left the restaurant.Clark said, "Getting a cab at this hour won't be easy. Why don't I drop you off at Marldosa Gardens, Ms. Jett? It's right along my way back."Matthew stopped him. "No need. I can drive Willow home.""You live west of the city, don't you, Mr. Evans? It's pretty far. It wouldn't be convenient for you. You don't have to be so courteous," Clark replied."You sure know a great many things, Mr. Arden. Along the way or not, I'm obligated to make sure Willow reaches home safely since we h
Theodore's brows furrowed lightly."Ms. Jett didn't want to go home, Mr. Bassett. She insisted I bring her here," Clark reported from behind Willow, a pitiful expression on his face. He was worried Theodore would get angry at him.Theodore waved his hand gently, setting down a pot of tea on the coffee table. He said gently, "You're just in time. Have some tea with me."Willow's brows furrowed as she strode forth. "Don't you plan to explain yourself to me? Why did your assistant show up when I was having lunch?"Clark silently left the room, closing the door in the process."Would you believe me if I said it was a coincidence?""Coincidence, my ass!" Willow gripped her bag tightly. She would've tossed her purse right in Theodore's face if she wasn't still being reasonable. "This isn't your first time stalking me. Do you know how inappropriate this is?""When was the first time?""At the Japonian restaurant! Did you forget?""You sent me your location that time."Willow was at
Autumn had come to Emperia, the capital city. The air was slightly chilly.Willow Jett leaned against the door of the toilet cubicle as she stared at a photo on her phone. It was of a man's side profile. The man was her husband, Quentin Strand.There was a woman beside him, but her face had been blurred out. All that was visible was a tattoo of a rose behind her shoulder.Just then, she heard the sound of someone turning on the tap outside. The lowered voices of some employees followed this as they gossiped."Look at how Ms. Jett's always working and doesn't bother dressing up. Isn't she worried about Mr. Strand doing things behind her back?""I know, right? I think they've been married for almost three years, yet they still don't have any kids.""I heard it's because Ms. Jett can't have kids …"They soon left, and silence descended upon the restroom once again.Willow pushed the door of her cubicle open, looking pale. She looked at herself in the mirror—there stood a woman dre