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
The bow around Willow's collar loosened during the struggle, revealing her smooth, flawless skin.As the temperature in the room seemed to rise, Theodore's gaze grew heated. He tightened his grip on her wrist, their faces drawing closer.In a panic, Willow turned away to avoid his face and shut her eyes.The kiss landed on her earlobe, and the cool sensation jolted Theodore back to his senses. Seeing her tense, anxious expression, he furrowed his brows. After letting her go, he sat up.With the pressure suddenly off of her body, Willow quickly moved aside.The atmosphere seemed to freeze, and the awkwardness became so palpable that it could've made one wish to disappear.Theodore bent over to pour a cup of tea, saying calmly, "If you're not up for it, I can wait. But don't take too long."Willow was stunned.The cup was then pushed in front of her. The tea inside was clear and fragrant, the aroma strong yet not overpowering. Theodore's hand that touched the cup looked flawles
"I was just fooling around with her. She's nothing compared to you," Quentin explained."But we're already divorced.""We can get remarried anytime you want, really."Worried that Willow would have reservations, Quentin added, "I know that my mother and sister had wronged you when you were still living with them, so once we remarry, we'll move out together. What do you say?"As he spoke, he took Willow's hand with an affectionate look, the same expression he had when he proposed three years ago."Willow, I really love you."Willow allowed him to hold her hand as she listened to his pretentious declaration of love. She scrutinized the man in front of her up and down.At that moment, she couldn't recall what she ever saw in him for her to be with such a spineless man in the nearly bankrupt Strand family for so many years."Quentin, do you know that hearing you say such things makes me want to vomit?"Quentin was stunned.Willow pulled her hand away abruptly, and her tone was ic
"What secret?" Quentin asked.Willow smirked. "Before we got divorced, I already cheated on you."Quentin was extremely shocked. "What did you say?""Didn't you say that kind of thing happens a lot in this industry? Why are you so surprised when it happens to you?""Say that again." Quentin grabbed Willow's hand in anger. "When did it happen?"Willow didn't expect him to get physical with her. "Let go of me!""You want me to let go? You bitch!" The furious Quentin turned red with rage. He shoved Willow against the wall and began choking her. "You still had the gall to take half of my assets after you cheated on me?"Gasping for air, Willow struggled and slapped him across the face, but she was no match for his strength.Just as she thought she was about to pass out, the elevator door suddenly opened. Someone rushed out and, upon seeing what was happening, immediately punched Quentin hard in the face, followed by a fierce kick.Clutching her neck, Willow coughed incessantly aft
Theodore had abrasions all over his knuckles and was bleeding. He was clearly injured from his fight with Quentin.Willow hastily said, "I think I have some medicine at home." With that, she hurried off to the bedroom to get the first aid kit.Theodore wanted to tell her not to bother, but after seeing her so flustered, he inexplicably decided not to say anything."Clark and Linda brought over this first aid kit when they were here previously. They said it had some basic supplies, so there should be some iodine and gauze in here," Willow muttered as she opened the kit. Once she found what she needed, she took his hand without hesitation."Since your skin is broken, this might sting a bit."With her head lowered, Willow carefully disinfected his wounds with an iodine-soaked cotton swab, unaware that Theodore was watching her intently, his cold gaze softening.Just then, there was a knock at the door.Willow raised her head. "That must be Mr. Arden. I'll go check. Don't move."
"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