Willow made no move to retreat. She walked up and met Julian’s gaze. Her dark hair and white dress billowed in the sharp night wind, her striking crimson lips making the neon lights in the surroundings dim. She then said softly, “What’s the matter? If it’s about Caleb, I’d like you to know that I’m quite pleased with him.hanks for sending him over.”

    Julian’s gaze hardened as he said, “If it pleases you, then that’s all that matters.”

    He seemed to have returned to his usual calm demeanor, no longer looking like the desperate man from before. He even added, “If you’re pleased with him, then I’ll find a few better ones and send them over to you tomorrow.”

    Upon hearing that, Willow couldn’t help but look at him differently, thinking that Julian was an absolute nutcase.

    Having thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle, Caleb reached out, pulled open the passenger door of the pink Rolls–Royce, and dramatically announced, “It’s time to head home, Lady Harper.”

    Julian furrowed his brow and asked, “Did he just call you Lady Harper?”

    Willow walked over to the Rolls–Royce and replied nonchntly, “Is there an issue with that? If it pleases me, he can call me whatever I want–even ‘darling.“”

    Julian remained silent. He simply watched as the young man he had handpicked got into Willow’s Rolls–Royce, chauffeuring her home and addressing her as “Lady Harper“, He could have been the one saying it, calling her “Lady Harper“-thedy of the house.

    Caleb, on the other hand, ran his hand over the steering wheel, eximing, “What an awesome ride! You were brilliant out there –Julian’s expression was priceless!”

    Willow fastened her seatbelt and stated tly, “You’re not to call me Lady Harper again.”

    Caleb hit the gas and asked, “Is ‘darling‘ eptable then?”

    Willow was rendered speechless.

    Julian stood in ce for a while before letting out a soft scoff, thinking that Caleb was nothing more than an ignorant brat. He didn’t need to take him seriously.

    Julian took the final drag of his cigarette before getting into his Rolls–Royce. He then drove straight to Radiance Manor, which had be his primary residence nowadays.

    Having pulled up at Radiance Manor, one of the household staff, Jesse Schmidt, promptly approached, took his coat, and asked, “Shall I prepare ate–night snack for you, Mr. Ziegler?”

    Julian hesitated momentarily before replying, “I’m not really hungry.”

    Jesse, having picked up on Julian’s foul mood, wisely dropped the matter.

    Julian walked through the brightly lit room and ascended to the second floor, pushing open the master bedroom door. He couldn’t help but feel that the absence of thedy of the house rendered the room stark and unweing.

    He then slumped onto the piano bench and flipped open the piano lid. Through the floor–to–ceiling windows, the night stretched dark and endless. Then the rain began, a gentle drizzle that kissed the sycamore foliage. Those yellowed leaves glistened with moisture, amplifying the sense of bleakness.

    bIn /bthe stillness of the night, Julian yed “Für Elise” on the piano That piece, typically full of longing and happiness, now echoed with an even deeper sense of solitude.

    It was then that he suddenly recognized the truth–his desire wasn’t for Alicia, but for Willow. If Alicia had been a beautiful but unattainable dream, Willow was the real, palpable happiness he craved.

    He understood then that he, Julian, was no different from anyonese, wanting to seize the happiness within his grasp–the one he wanted to spend his life with was Willow. He couldn’t help but feel a profound and consuming longing take hold of him at that very moment.

    It was two dayster when Liam visited Insight Corporation, bringing along a box of mince pies from Hearth Patisserie. He sat down, sipped his coffee, surveyed the grand surroundings, andplimented themvishly, saying, “You’ve reallye a long way in less than a year–it’s impressive!”

    Having replenished his cup, Willow said lightly, “It’s nothing much.”

    Liam’s admiration for her grew more pronounced. Having chatted for quite a bit, he finally addressed the core of his visit, saying, “I’m aware that Julian’s actions had caused you distress, and I get that some things can’t be undone. I’ve noticed that he’s been in low spiritstely, though—perhaps finally realizing what he had lost. Why don’t you give him another chance, Willow? 4

    “You should alsoe by for dinner since Thanksgiving ising up. You can pay your respects to the old man while you’re at it. It’s almost the 100th day since his passing, after all.”

    Willow took a sip of her coffee and said softly, “It’s not a matter of disrespecting your wishes, Liamb, /bbut Julian and I have truly run our course. I simply can’t ept Alicia being in the picture. In addition, I had already paid my respects to Dominic at the cemetery yesterday, leaving him a bouquet of daisies. I’m sure he would have found them pleasing.”

    Her frankness left Liam with no room to argue. He was aware that the Ziegler family had wronged her regarding Alicia—at first, they kept the truth hidden, andter, theycked the courage to reveal it. He stayed a little while longer before finally getting up to leave. He also reminded Willow to take good care of herself due to the recent chilly weather.

    Having heard that, Willow felt slightly taken aback, though she was rather moved by Liam’s attention.

    It was only after Liam had left that Annie walked in and picked up the box of mince pies from Hearth Patisserie for closer inspection, saying, “You know, these are rather exclusive. You’d have to stand in line for two whole hours to get them if you don’t order ahead.”

    Willow, not being a fan of sweet treats, said, “You can take it with you if you like it.”

    Upon hearing that, Annie was absolutely delighted.

    Willow remained unaffected by Liam’s visit and carried on with her work. She had even dismissed Caleb, who had dropped by at one point, thinking that he was quite needy for attention.

    That evening, Jeffrey called, inviting her to his pre–engagement gathering, an event nned to introduce Rosabelle to his circle

    of friends.