Grace’s words lingered in Julian’s mind for a long time.

It was the end of the year, and Neb Group was swamped with business affairs. The negotiations with Aurelia Group were moving forward at full speed, and Julian hadn’t seen Willow in half a month.

At the end of the year, Neb Group hosted a banquet.

At the event, Julian was alone. In previous years, Willow had always been by his side at this time of year. This year, he had invited Willow, but she never responded.

With Neb’s president’s marriage on the rocks, women eager to take her ce lined up one after another.

Esther dealt with them all.

In a quiet corner of the banquet hall, Julian held a wine ss and silently gazed out at the night view of most of Brindley.

A tall and slender figure appeared behind him. It was Dexter’s girlfriend, Eleanor.

“Mr. Ziegler, how has Ms. Harper beentely?”

Julian turned around and quietly studied her for a moment. “She’s doing fine. What about you, Ms. Sutton? Have you and Dexter made ns to get married?”

His question was abrupt. He wasn’t even sure why he had asked. Perhaps it was because Eleanor looked a lot like Willow.

Eleanor smiled faintly. “We’re not nning to get married.”

Upon hearing this, he unexpectedly felt a bit mncholic.

After the banquet ended, Julian got into his Rolls–Royce Spectre, a newly purchased car worth ten million dors.

He intended to give it to Willow.

Esther had mentioned that her gallery was about to open. This would make the perfect opening gift.

The car’s interior was dimly lit. Julian unbuttoned his suit jacket, leaned back against the leather seat, and closed his eyes to rest.

He had a few light drinks earlier, and now the buzz was kicking in. His face carried a faint flush in an alluring shade of red.

In the front seat, Ester ran her fingers over the interior and was stunned.

So, this was what a ten–million–dor luxury car looked like!

Julian ordered the driver to head to Willow’s apartment.

But Esther suddenly remembered something and said, “I just ran into Mrs. Chapman. Apparently, Mrs. Ziegler arranged a meeting tonight with a B–list actor to discuss an endorsement deal.”

In Julian’s eyes, a B–list actor was a young, pretty boy.

His mood instantly soured. He had Esther get bthe /blocation and told the driver to head straight there.

Willow had spent two hours negotiating with bthe /bactor at Moonlit before finally closing the deal–a two–year endorsement contract worth three million per year.

The actor was young and pure–hearted. Willow had mostly dealt with his agent, and they wrapped up the meeting with a ss of champagne.

The young actor knew of Willow’s reputation. She also treated people with brespect/bb, /bso he politely called her b“/bbMs. /bHarper“.

In reality, Willow was only two years older than him.

Willow said nothing. She wasn’t particrly familiar with the entertainment industry.

But the moment the young actor called her b“/bMs. Harper“, Julian happened to step inside.

The door bswung /bopen, and that was the first thing he heard.

b+25 /bbBonus /b

Men always had an inexplicable sense of possessiveness.

Julian instantly felt ufortable, but in front of others, he maintained hisposure.

He walked up to his wife and asked in a gentle tone, “Are you done with your meeting? If you’re done, let’s go home.”

Willow couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge him.

The actor’s agent was an industry veteran. At a nce, he could tell Julian was obviously jealous. He quickly exined the situation and even tried to get Julian’s number in the end.

Julian didn’t respond.

At his level, he rarely gave out his number to people.

Esther, sensing the mood, tactfully escorted the two guests out, leaving the space to her jealousy–fueled boss.

The private lounge fell silent.

Julian held back for a long time before finally speaking, “I don’t mind you working, but was it really necessary to hire some pretty boy as a spokesperson? And drinking champagne together, too? What if you got drunk and someone took advantage of you?”

Willow leanedzily against the folding screen, tilting her head back with a lightugh. “Julian, back when I used to apany you to social events, I drank the hard stuff, and you never worried about me then.

“As for the young and handsome man, Julian, you have your freedom, and I have mine. I don’t owe you my loyalty. Today, it’s Mr. Frank. Tomorrow, it could be Mr. Winston… As long as I’m happy.”

Willow’s chest rose and fell slightly, her red lips slightly parted, d in nothing but a thin dressb. /b

She was unbearably seductive.

Yet, at the corner of her eye, there was the faint shimmer of tears.

Those tearsb, /bstrangely enough, extinguished Julian’s anger.

He stepped forward, gently cupping her faceb, /bhis voice deep and tender. “Don’t say things just to hurt me! Willow, deep downb, /byou still care about me, don’t you?”