Chapter 7

The next morning, Willow woke up with a headache.

Blair was considerate enough to bring her some medicine.

After taking it, Willow felt much better. She was about to take a shower when Blair huffed indignantly, "Mr. Ziegler is completely into that vixen. He came home last night and saw you completely drunk but still chose to drive away."

That was how Willow found out Julian had come back the previous night.

Blair suddenly remembered something else. "Oh, right, Mrs. Ziegler, Mr. Ziegler told us to have Mr. Gibson's jacket cleaned and delivered to him. At least he's still considerate toward you."

Blair had no idea about Julian's real intentions. She thought it was a gesture of care.

But Willow understood. Julian was just afraid of being cuckolded.

She wasn't feeling well, so she stayed home for two days and took time to visit her grandmother.

…

On Monday, Nebula Group underwent a shake-up.

A major project had gone awry, and all the evidence pointed to Willow's negligence. After a board meeting, she was suspended from all her duties and had to vacate the vice CEO's office that very day.

On the 32nd floor, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Willow quietly watched the bustling cityscape of Brindley.

Behind her, Annie pushed the door open and spoke in a hushed voice, "Ms. Harper, Project Aurelia has been handed over to Catherine."

Annie was seething, but Willow remained calm.

At this point, she no longer wanted Julian. Fame and status had become fleeting clouds in the wind.

Once she took what she deserved, she would leave with dignity, stepping out of Julian's world. Whether he truly loved Catherine or was simply compensating her no longer mattered to Willow.

Just as she was about to speak, her phone rang on the desk.

She walked over and answered. It was Julian's father, Liam Ziegler, asking her to meet him in his office.

Willow agreed.

That afternoon, she took a car to Liam's workplace.

Liam wasn't employed at Nebula Group. He had his own business. He seemed refined and carefree, but in reality, he was quietly paving the way for Julian.

It was late October.

A gust of autumn wind carried the scent of osmanthus blossoms.

The moment Willow stepped out of the car, Liam's personal secretary, Victoria Morris, greeted her. She was a strikingly beautiful woman who smiled as she led Willow to an elegant lounge.

Victoria slid the door open and respectfully announced, "Mr. Ziegler, Ms. Harper is here."

Liam was sipping coffee. Hearing this, he looked up and said warmly, "Willow, you're here. Come in and have some coffee with me."

Willow stepped inside the lounge.

Liam was well aware of the recent changes at Nebula Group. Without revealing his thoughts, he poured Willow a cup of coffee and discussed the company matters.

He had always admired Willow. After all, her presence kept Julian's position secure.

But sometimes, ability was a double-edged sword.

A beast with sharp claws and fangs might turn into a threat.

Liam and Julian shared the same view on this matter, but Julian was just more aggressive in his approach.

Liam remained affable. "I've always admired you. Willow. Are you and Julian having problems recently? If it's about Catherine, don't bother. She's just a naive girl."

Willow smiled faintly. "We have no problems."

She wasn't foolish enough to make their conflict public. The Ziegler family was not known for kindness.

Liam was momentarily taken aback.

His appreciation for Willow deepened. She truly had composure.

After a moment of contemplation, he voiced his concern. "Project Aurelia is a collaboration with Mr. Chapman. Since Dexter has a volatile temperament, I worry that his involvement will bring trouble to the company."

Willow immediately understood his implication.

Her response was calm. "You can rest assured. Officially, Ms. Burke is in charge of the project, but Julian is actually overseeing it. Dexter won't have the chance to stir up trouble."

Liam, realizing his thoughts had been exposed, felt slightly uncomfortable and tried to smooth things over with some casual conversation.

By the time Willow left, it was dusk.

The sky was bathed in a shattered golden glow.

Victoria stood by the car, nodding slightly as she bid Willow goodbye. With her poised smile, she looked just like a flawless puppet.

Suddenly, Willow felt like she had seen her before.

…

Just before nightfall, Willow returned to her office.

She began packing. Some things she handed over, others she discarded. Annie cursed Julian, vowing that when they made their comeback, they would crush all the spineless opportunists.

Willow only smiled faintly.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Julian stood at the entrance, impeccably dressed, looking like a magazine cover model. He ushered Annie out. She muttered "scumbag" under her breath before leaving.

After Annie left, Julian stepped inside. His deep eyes were fixed on Willow.

They met again, but everything had changed.

Out of consideration for their past, Julian softened his tone. "Catherine was never the issue between us. Willow, if you want, I'll call a board meeting next month to reinstate you at Nebula Group."

Willow chuckled softly.

How ridiculous.

Their falling out, her breakdown that night, and the way she drowned her sorrows in alcohol were all childish rebelliousness in his eyes. He even believed that he was being generous and she should be grateful for his offer.

But the things he once promised no longer held any value for her.

Did he really think she still wanted to serve him and stay by his side? Just imagining how he cherished and protected Catherine made her feel like she had wasted her youth.

Willow stepped forward and adjusted Julian's collar.

For years, she had done this for him before every event. She had performed this act countless times.

Julian instinctively leaned down, allowing her to straighten his collar more easily. They were so close. She could feel his warm breath on her skin.

Looking at Willow up close, Julian couldn't help but recall the way she had looked that night in bed. They had been married for four years and had been intimate countless times, but he had never seen her like that before.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly. The movement carried an undeniable allure.

When Willow was done, she gently ran her fingers over the fine fabric, a trace of nostalgia in her touch.

Six years of love and four years of marriage. It was over.

This was the last time, Julian.

She lifted her head and looked at him quietly before speaking in a soft voice, "No need. I'm not coming back."

Julian froze.

Willow stepped past him, carrying a small box as she walked toward the door. After four years, she realized there wasn't much she could take from Nebula.

At the door, she tilted her head slightly. Her voice was laced with quiet restraint as she said, "Bye, Julian."

A strange pang hit Julian's chest. Something about Willow felt different. But he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Standing in her empty office, he watched as she walked toward the elevator and slowly disappeared from sight.

At that moment, Julian didn't yet realize that Willow had just said her final goodbye. She was leaving Nebula and leaving him. And she wasn't coming back.