At the end of the year, Dominic visited the house in the southern suburbs.

Coincidentally, Willow was there, reading a book to Grace.

Maureen rushed over, panting. “Ms. Harper, Mr. Ziegler Senior is here. You should go greet him.”

Dominic?

Willow was surprised.

This time, he came here with quite an entourage, consisting of an entire fleet of ck cars.

Not only were Liam and Mnie here, but Tyler and Karen hade along as well.

Their visit served two purposes. One was to visit Grace, and the other was to invite Willow to spend the New Year back at the Ziegler residence.

Although Grace came from humble beginnings, she knew she couldn’t embarrass her granddaughter.

She remainedposed.

Maureen, being clever, arranged the seating so that both Ziegler couples sat below Grace, making their status clear at a nce.

Dominic was impressed.

He took a sip of tea and smiled at Grace.

“Willow knows how to run a household. The Ziegler family cannot do without her! Madam Harper, I value her a lot.

“Unfortunately, Julian is a fool, and his parents are even bigger fools. I hope you can help smooth things over. Let’s at least go through this New Year happily.”

Being humiliated, Liam and Mnie’s expressions turned sour.

As for Karen, she was feeling pleased and secretly sneered.

Willow remained silent, letting the elders talk.

Grace took a nce at Willow, then at Dominic. She understood it bwas /bbest topromise.

With a gentle tone, she said, “I understand your concerns. It is only right for Willow to help out during the New Year and handle some household matters.

“As for their marriage, I believe the young people should decide for themselves. After ball/bb, /bthey’re the ones who have to live with it.

“Wouldn’t you agree, Mrb, /bZiegler?”

Dominic’s eyes lit up.

He recognized that Grace was no pushover. But having weathered countless storms in his lifeb, /bbhe /bquickly made ba /bdecision.

“You’re right. They should make their own decision.”

Grace gestured. “The tea is getting cold, please have it while it’s warmb./bb” /b

In the evening, the setting sun painted the sky in vibrant hues.

A ck Roll–Royce Phantom slowly entered the courtyard. bThe /bcar door opened, and Julian stepped out.

His noble temperament was as dazzling as the golden sunlight.

He hade to pick Willow up to spend the New Year at the Ziegler residence.

When he stepped into the house, Maureenb, /bwho was busy baking piesb, /bcouldn’t help but tease him, b“/bMr. Zieglerb, /byou have a good nose. You came straight for the pies, right?”

Julian took off his coat and joined her. “Last time, they tasted amazing. I came here just to try them again.”

Maureen was pleased but didn’t show it. “Last time, Mr. Gibson made them.”

Julian smiled and replied, “Then this time, let me help you.”

b+25 /bbBonus /b

Maureen shot him a look. She thought Julian was something else–knowing to be flexible. No wonder Ms. Harper had fallen for him when she was younger.

After all, what woman could resist this?

Just then, the front door creaked open.

Willow just returned from walking the dog.

The moment Snowy saw Julian, its tail wagged furiously as it ran up to him, full of excitement.

Julian bent down and picked up Snowy. Then, he looked at Willow and said, “I’ll bathe himter.”

Maureen clicked her tongue. “Snowy, do you remember your daddy?”

She was calling Julian a good–for–nothing dog. Julian caught the insult but didn’t react.

Instead, he just kept looking at Willow.

Just now, Willow had smiled.

Late at night, the sky was dotted with stars.

Willow sat in the car and reached for the seatbelt, but Julian beat her to it.

A soft click.

He didn’t pull away immediately, but gently embraced her. In a low voiceb, /bhe exined that nothing improper had happened between him and

Catherine.

Willow listened as he spoke.

Once he was doneb, /bshe pushed him away gently with ba /bcalm expression.

“Julian, I’m tired of hearing the same thing. Whether something happened or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that we can’t go on like

this.

“Julian, sometimes, emotional infidelity is more unbearable than physical cheating.”

Julian’s eyes darkened.

In the end, he didn’t say a word and simply started driving.