جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

Willow was deeply grateful to Heather.Just as she was hesitating, a call came from the Ziegler family. Dominic wanted to see her.Liam was the one who called. The Ziegler family was strict about etiquette. Since Willow was Dominic's guest, even Liam, her father-in-law, spoke to her with formal courtesy.He said, "No matter what's going on between you and Julian, you should still come see my 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 way, he made polite conversation, carefully avoiding any mention of Julian.Willow did the same.When they reached Dominic's study, Victoria appeared and whispered something to Liam. As they spoke, Willow studied her features.When Victoria left, Willo

Willow didn't refuse. She got up from the bench and poured Julian a glass of water. Sitting next to the bed, she handed it to him and said calmly, "You've been asleep for two hours. It's almost 4:00 pm now.""Are you in a hurry? Got a date?"Julian took the glass and set it down on the bedside table. Then, without warning, he pulled Willow into his embrace. Their bodies pressed together through the thin cashmere coat.His body was hard and warm. Willow squirmed uncomfortably, letting out a protest. "Let go of me."But Julian wasn't going to release her.His voice carried a hoarse, seductive quality from the alcohol as he whispered against her ear, "Have you decided about us?"Willow didn't want to talk about it, but Julian was relentless.As he kissed her, his face flushed with a slight tilt of his chin. His entire being exuded a sensual air. He caressed her soft waist, demanding that she give him an answer right then and there.Willow feared he might push things too far.She

It had been ages since Willow had taken the initiative to hold Julian.He lowered his eyes. His long lashes trembled ever so slightly with an unspoken intensity.Half an hour later, Julian's car pulled up in front of a luxurious apartment building.Catherine had finally left that old villa behind and was now living in a 2,800‑square‑foot apartment. Her days were filled with nothing more than clocking in at Nebula Group, followed by endless beauty treatments and shopping sprees. It was a textbook existence for a kept mistress.Esther had been waiting for quite some time.As soon as Julian's car came to a stop, she opened the door for him.Stepping out, Julian frowned slightly. "What's she up to now?"Esther only managed a helpless smile. "You wouldn't return her calls, so she's been refusing to eat or drink, even breaking things. Not even Mr. and Mrs. Burke can handle her anymore."Julian paused in his steps. "The doctors can't do anything? Have they tried a nutritional boost, o

In the bathroom, Willow splashed cold water on her face, trying to cool her overheated skin.She stared at her reflection in the mirror, momentarily dazed.The woman looking back at her felt almost unfamiliar. Her hair was tousled, her soft skin was nearly glowing, and her lips were slightly swollen from Julian's kisses.Willow reached up and touched her face. Was this really her?…Since then, life at Grandview Manor turned out to be better than she had expected.Julian had kept his promise. Willow received the 500 million dollars in cash, along with a 5% stake in Nebula Group. His decision caused an uproar within the Ziegler family. Even his parents couldn't understand it.But Julian bore the weight of it all.He treated Willow well—too well. He didn't force her to sleep with him, as if giving her time to adjust.He often called to have meals with her, though sometimes he would break his promises.Willow never asked where he went or who he was with. Just as they had agreed

Catherine wanted to go over to Julian, but Nancy held her back."This isn't the place for jealousy," Nancy whispered. "Catherine, you need to know when to pick your battles."Catherine froze, her eyes welling up with tears.She longed for Julian's attention. But he didn't even glance at her. Instead, he held Willow's hand and exchanged pleasantries with Timothy and Heather. "Mr. Chapman, Mrs. Chapman."Timothy smiled warmly. "You're a lucky man, Julian."A wife's beauty was a husband's honor.Even Julian couldn't help but glance at Willow. A faint smile tugged at his lips.Heather reached for Willow's hand with genuine affection. "I heard you two have reconciled. I was so happy for you, but I didn't want to disturb you."Timothy wrapped an arm around Heather and chuckled. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Let's not get in their way."He adored Heather, which naturally gave him a favorable impression of Willow. His tone was warm. In an effort to amuse Heather, he blurted ou