Willow was deeply grateful to Heather.

Just as she was hesitating, ba /bbcall /bcame from the Ziegler family. Dominic wanted bto /bbsee /bher.

Liam was the one who called. The Ziegler family was strict babout /betiquette. bSince /bWillow was Dominic’s bguest/b, even Liam, her father–inwb, /bspoke to her with formal bcourtesy/b.

He said, “No matter what’s going on between you and Julian, you should stille bsee /bmy dad. You know he’s always been fond of you.”

Willow agreed.

Early winter had arrived.

The courtyard of the Ziegler residence was beautiful all

year round.

Willow parked her car and stepped out, only to see Liam already waiting for her. The fact that he came in person to escort her to Dominic showed how much this meeting mattered.

On the wayb, /bhe made polite bconversation/bb, /bcarefully avoiding any mention of Julian.

Willow did the sameb. /b

When they reached Dominic’s study, Victoria appeared and whispered something to Liam. As they spoke, Willow studied her features.

When Victoria left, Willow remarked, “Liamb, /byour secretary looks familiar bto /bme.”

There bwas /bba /bhint of hesitation on Liam’s bface/bb. /b

After a pause, he pushed open the door and looked at Willow. “Dad is waiting for you.”

Willow let the matter drop and stepped inside.

In the rustic study, the rich aroma bof /btea filled the air. Dominic was leisurely sipping his tea while on a rocking chair. There were no maids in sight.

Hearing footsteps, he smiled and said, “Willowb, /bbyou’re /bhereb? /bCome. Have some tea with meb./b”

Willow walked over and sat downb, /bgreeting Dominic respectfully. There was still a touch of formality in her tone.

Dominic smiled. “Julian isn’t here, and I sent everyone belse /baway btoo/b. Let’s have a good chat todayb./bb” /b

Willow gave ba /bsmall smile and leaned forward to pour him tea.

Arnong all the younger members of the Ziegler familyb, /baside from Julianb, /bDominic valued Willow the bmost/bb–/bperhaps beven /bmore than his eldest grandsonb, /bDexter. Of course, this special favor had also made her a target bof /bresentment. This was something Dominic bwas /bbwell /baware of.

bHe /bbtook /bba /bsip of teab, /bthen bcasually /bbrought up Dexter and Eleanorb, /bbefore ending bwith /bba /blight remark, b“/bbYou /band Julian have been married four byears/bb. /bIt’s babout /bbtime /bbwe /bsettled Dexter’s marriage btoo/b.b” /b

bWillow /bstiffened.

She immediately understood. Dominic didn’t bapprove /bof Eleanor. If he did, Dexter would have married her already. bBy /bbringing bthis /bbup /bbnow/bb, /bDominic bwas /bmaking it clear that he bwas /babout bto remove /bany obstacles bto /ba more suitable match for Dexterb. /b(1)

Though the realization shook her, Willow kept her bexpression /bcalmb, /bbeven /boffering ba /bbsmile/bb. /bb“/bbYou’re /bright. bDexter /bshould bsettle /bdown by bnow/b.”

bDominic /bgave her ba /bsharp look.

She was steady and reservedb, /bthe kind of bwoman /bwho bwas /bmore bthan /bworthy bof /bJulian.

bThen/bb, /bshifting the conversation, he asked about bGrace’s /bhealth.

bWillow /bbgave /ba briefb, /bmeasured bresponse/b.

Dominic paused for a momentb. /bb“/bbWhy /bbdidn’t /bbyou /bbhave /bJulian tell me about something this important? bI /bknow what’s bon /byour mindb. /bbYou /bthink Julian bdoesn’t /bblove /byou. bBut /bI see things clearly. If he didn’t care about byou /bat ball/bb, /bbyour /bmarriage wouldn’t havested this long.”

Willow lowered bher /bgazeb. /b“bI /bunderstand that feelings don’t matter in bthe /bbZiegler /bbfamily/b.”

Dominic’s expression darkened. “bDid /bbJulian /bbtell /byou that bcrap/bb? /bThat idiotb! /bIf feelings bdon’t /bmatter, bthen /bhow bthe /bhell bdid /bhis parents manage bto /bbhave /bhim? Was that just some mindless animalistic mating?b” /b

Willow couldn’t help but think of Victoria. Her striking beauty was hardly bidental/bb. /b1

But bshe /bsaid nothing.

Dominic talked for quite a while and was starting to feel tired. b“/bbAnyway/bb, /bbI’ll /btake bcare /bof byour /bgrandma’s treatment. You and Julian should take some time bto /bwork

b+25 /bbBonus /b

things out. After all, fate brought you together bfor /ba reason.”

Willow nodded and quietly stepped out, making sure bto /bclose the door behind her.

bAs /bshe turned, she unexpectedly collided with a firm, warm chest.

Startled, she instinctively tried to step back, but the man’s arm bcame /baround her and pulled her close. His bvoice /bwas low and slightly rough. “How did the talk with Grandpa go? Have you made up your mind?”

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