Though Willow had initially nned to refuse his invitation, Jeffrey suddenly said, “You should reallye over, Willow. You see, Rosabelle is particrly looking forward to meeting you.”

    In addition, Jeffrey felt indebted to Willow for entrusting him with insight Corporation’s affairs, which generated substantial revenue and a significantmission.

    Having given it some thought, Willow finally agreed to it.

    Her well wishes for Jeffrey and Rosabelle were genuine. Thus, on the following day, after a thorough and meticulous selection process, she chose a pair of his–and–hers watches valued at six million dors as their engagement gift.

    It was after she had swiped the card and left the ce that Caleb eximed, “How could you be so generous when ites to spending on your lover? I merely make 12 thousand dors a month, and you just blew six million dors on your lover! It’s six million dors, for goodness‘ sake!”

    Willow red at him and bellowed, “You should yell louder and make sure everyone hears you! And for your information, Jeffrey is not my lover!”

    Caleb scoffed, not believing her for a second. “Why would you spend six million dors on him if he isn’t your lover?”

    Willow didn’t even bother to respond to him, merely sending him the address of the business lounge after getting into the car.

    Caleb hit the gas and grumbled, “It’s no wonder Julian’s keeping tabs on you.”

    Willow couldn’t help but find herself thoroughly irritated by Caleb’s incessant chatter.

    It was after a ten–minute drive that they finally arrived at the Veil Club. Caleb unfastened his seatbelt and was about to get out of the but Willow suddenly stated calmly, “You’ll wait for me in the car.”

    Caleb protested, “Why should I wait in the car?”

    Willow’s gaze swept over his 800–dor suit, a strained smile gracing her features. “It’s because you’re the chauffeur and you should behave like one. I mean, what kind of chauffeur attends a party alongside their employer?”

    Caleb’s face flushed with anger as he snapped, “I see how it is! You’re just nning to mess around behind my back, right?”

    “You hit the nail on the head,” Willow replied in a jovial manner, finding it quite entertaining to tease Caleb sometimes.

    Having said that, Willow made her way up alone and pushed open the door to the designated private room–Room 216.

    Julian was unexpectedly present at the gathering too. It turned out he and Rosabelle were somewhat rted, and Rosabelle even quietly referred to her in a manner that suggested that she was still Julian’s wife.

    In that instant, the atmosphere suddenly became visibly awkward

    Willow didn’t make a big deal out of Rosabelle’s form of address. She promptly presented the gift and conveyed her heartfelt

    congrattions.

    Upon opening the box, Rosabelle immediately recognized the gifts considerable value and was reluctant to ept it. Jeffrey, however, smiled faintly and said, “You should just ept it. You just have to make sure not to mistake who’s who again in the future.”

    Rosabelle blushed and murmured, “Got it.”

    Having grown up together, those present in the private room could easily discern Julian’s thoughts–he wasn’t willing to let go of Willow. It was truly an unprecedented urrence.

    It appeared that Julian had developed feelings for Willow, and the des of their rtionship had subtly, yet unmistakably, reversed.

    Havinge all this way, Willow naturally had to take a seat somewhere. There were only two vacant seats avable in the private room–one was beside Julian and the other was beside Jeffrey.

    She naturally opted to sit next to Julian. She had just sat down when Julian turned to look at her, giving her the kind of look only a man would give a woman. He then remarked softly, “You look great in that outfit.”

    Willow replied indifferently, “It’s just what I wear for work.”

    Julian’s gaze remained fixed on her as he asked, “Did you make a point of not dressing up because you’re worried that Jeffrey’s fiancée will be jealous?”

    “Have you lost your mind, Julian?” Willow murmured, her patience wearing thin as she really considered leaving the ce.

    Julian, as if sensing her thoughts, grabbed her hand and whispered, “You should stay a little longer. I’ll take you home afterward.”

    Willow said coldly, “I already have a chauffeur.”

    Julian couldn’t help but grimace at the mention of the chauffeur. He was the one who had sent Caleb to Willow, after all.

    He was just about to say something when his phone suddenly rang. He nced at the caller ID before declining the call.

    Having guessed who the caller was, Willow offered noment and directed her attention elsewhere.

    Julian could tell that it was bothering her, so he exined softly, “It’s already over between us. I’ll only offer her some financial assistance from now on, and I won’t be visiting her in Grandsburg anymore. You have my word.”

    Yet, before Willow could even respond to Julian, the door to the private room suddenly swung open. In that instant, a stream of light poured in, brightly lighting up everyone’s faces, and the person standing at the doorway was shown clearly–it was Alicia.

    She stood there in a white dress, looking incredibly frail. She then called out to Juliab, /bsaying weakly, “I’m back, Julian.”

    In that instant, an absolute stillness permeated the night.

    Julian remained silent, gazing at the fragile figure before him. He had once convinced himself that he would never go back to Grandsburg to visit her again. He thought that if their paths were to cross againb, /bit would likely be at her graveside. Yet here she was–Alicia—back in Brindley after nine years. Having left Brindley for so many years, Alicia had finally returned.

    In that instant, Julian’s mind was thrown into turmoil. He forgot entirely about Willow, who sat beside him, and the words he had just spoken to her–that he would never meet Alicia again, that everything between them was in the past, and that he would never return to Grandsburg.