Chapter 27
A heavy silence fell between them before Charles finally spoke plainly.
"Willow, I'm your husband—your partner of eight years. How can I not be concerned?" He stared at her pallid face, his expression grave.
"My wife was kidnapped and returned with her clothes in disarray. Who wouldn't have questions?"
Hearing him finally voice his suspicions, Willow found herself strangely calm—more so than she'd expected.
"You think they touched me, that I'm dirty," she stated flatly.
Charles held her gaze without responding. His newlywed wife, whom he hadn't even touched himself, possibly violated by kidnappers—how could he not be affected?
Willow closed her eyes briefly. "Do you want to check for yourself?"
Without waiting for his answer, she began methodically unbuttoning her pajama top, her eyes empty.
As her skin was gradually exposed, Charles swallowed hard. But seeing the numbness in her expression, he suddenly came to his senses.
"Willow, that's not what I meant!" He quickly stopped her hands. He had only wanted confirmation, not for her to degrade herself like this.
"If you don't want to tell me, then forget it," he said. "Whatever happened last night, it doesn't change anything. You'll always be my wife. I'm just worried you might be hurt."
Willow's fingers trembled on her buttons. "Get out."
"Willow..." Charles tried to continue.
She looked up, her eyes blazing with anger. "I said get out!"
Charles's heart sank as he frowned and left the room. Neither of them slept that night.
---
At breakfast, both wore haggard expressions.
Charles, having stewed all night, couldn't help asking, "How did Uncle Sterling know you were missing?"
Too exhausted to invent excuses, Willow gave the simplest answer. "Our company is negotiating a project with the Lancaster Group."
"Your company?" The skepticism was written all over his face.
Willow kept her eyes on her breakfast without responding. She understood his doubt—it did seem implausible that the Lancaster Group would collaborate with such a small company.
Charles provided his own explanation. "Perhaps Uncle Sterling knew you worked there and gave your company this opportunity as a favor to me."
He gave her a pointed look. "Though with your company's qualifications, I doubt the partnership will actually materialize."
Willow set down her utensils. "I know, but I'll still do my best to secure it."
After breakfast, he suggested Willow rest at home for a few days, but she insisted on going to work. Reluctantly, Charles drove her there.
No sooner had Willow arrived at the office than Gareth summoned her.
"Where were you yesterday?" His face was flushed with anger.
"I had a fever and accidentally overslept," Willow explained. "It was my fault. I'll send the proposal to the Lancaster Group right away."
Gareth slammed his hand on the desk. "After causing such a mess, standing up Mr. Lancaster—what makes you think the Lancaster Group will even look at your proposal now?"
Willow lowered her head, not responding.
Recalling previous incidents, his frustration mounted. "I take you to dinner with Mr. Lancaster, and you bolt. Yesterday, I painstakingly arranged for him to hear your presentation, and you're sleeping at home!"
"Is this your work ethic? Do you have any idea how difficult it is for most people to get even five minutes with Mr. Lancaster?"
Not only had she abandoned her responsibilities, but he always had to clean up her messes!
If Sterling hadn't seemed somewhat interested in Willow, Gareth would have fired her long ago.
"I'm giving you one last chance. Take this proposal to the Lancaster Group Building and apologize properly to Mr. Lancaster." He tossed the printed proposal across the desk.
"If he doesn't accept it, don't bother coming back."
The problem was indeed her fault, so Willow didn't argue. Furiously, Gareth sent her out.
Outside his office, Molly approached with concern. "Willow, what happened yesterday?"
Willow repeated the fever excuse. Molly frowned worriedly. "If your fever was that bad, why not rest more today? Was Mr. Johnson hard on you?"
Willow smiled bitterly, holding up the proposal. "He's sending me to apologize to Mr. Lancaster in person."
Remembering yesterday's chaos, Molly couldn't even find words to criticize. "We really can't afford to offend Mr. Lancaster."
After gathering the relevant materials, Willow headed to the Lancaster Group Building.
The moment she entered the grand lobby, the receptionist stopped her.
Learning Willow had no appointment, the receptionist's demeanor changed instantly. "Mr. Lancaster only sees scheduled visitors. Without an appointment, please wait over there."
They'd seen hundreds of people from small companies trying their luck.
Willow sat on a bench in the lobby with her proposal.
The Lancaster Group employed many people, and the lobby bustled with activity. She constantly scanned the area, afraid she might miss Sterling.
When employees began heading out for lunch, she remained, not daring to leave her post.
By three in the afternoon, she still hadn't caught sight of Sterling. Having gone without food, her stomach was beginning to protest uncomfortably.
Just as she decided to buy something to eat nearby, she encountered Gloria at the entrance, accompanied by an attractive woman in workwear.
Gloria's smile vanished the moment she spotted Willow.
"You again? What are you doing here?" She shot Willow a hostile glare.
Willow hadn't expected this encounter either. "I'm here to see Mr. Lancaster. It's none of your business."
"Mr. Lancaster?" Gloria repeated, puzzled by Willow's formal address. Her gaze dropped to the documents Willow carried.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously. First at Sterling's home, now at the Lancaster Group Building—who knew what Willow was plotting, trying to get close to Sterling?
Gloria grabbed Willow's wrist and began pushing her toward the exit. "You're just using the Lancaster family connection to beg Sterry for a partnership!"
"Let me tell you, Sterry hates people like you who use backdoor connections. He'll never work with you—leave while you still have some dignity!"
Her grip landed directly on Willow's injured wrist. Wincing in pain, Willow instinctively yanked her arm away.
The next moment, Gloria let out a startled cry as she fell backward, landing ungracefully at the entrance.
Passing employees turned toward the commotion, drawn by her exclamation.
Having failed in her attempt to physically remove Willow, Gloria found herself the center of unwanted attention, her face darkening with humiliation.