Chapter 111
Willow sat down with the glass of water in hand.
After a moment's thought, she took a sip.
Since she couldn't be certain whether Gloria had added something to it, she'd have to check herself.
If there really was something in the water, she could prove to Sterling that Gloria was trying to manipulate him.
Gloria watched her closely.
Seeing Willow drink, a flash of malice crossed her eyes.
If she couldn't drug Sterling, at least making Willow suffer would give her some satisfaction!
Just wait, Willow!
After taking a couple of sips, Willow was startled when Luke suddenly ran over and bumped her arm.
Most of the water spilled, soaking her freshly changed clothes.
Luke barked twice.
She looked down to see Luke lying innocently at her feet.
"Willow!" Molly came running after Luke, looking remorseful when she saw Willow's wet clothes. "I'm so sorry—I should have kept a better eye on him."
She had just started to bond with Luke, but he still didn't fully obey her.
Willow gave a thin smile. "It's fine. I'll go change."
Molly nodded.
As soon as Willow left, Sterling stood up as well.
"Where are you going?" Henry frowned.
Sterling replied casually, "Tired. Going to bed."
Henry looked suspicious. "Alone?"
Sterling, having endured Henry's interrogation all evening, had run out of patience. "With Luke," he snapped.
He called Luke to follow him.
Henry watched them intently until they disappeared from sight before finally turning away.
With Sterling gone, Gloria had no reason to stay and also excused herself, claiming fatigue.
Blake had urgent business and had left early.
Henry sat alone in the empty courtyard, grilling skewers and silently complaining to himself.
Was this fair? He was a CEO too, spending his time worrying about Sterling's affairs, and he was not even appreciated.
"Mr. Brown." Molly's voice suddenly drifted across the yard.
Henry jumped. "You're still here?"
Molly looked pitiful. "I'm still hungry. Could you grill a couple more skewers for me?"
She'd been so busy with Luke that she hadn't eaten, and she hadn't expected everyone to disperse so early.
Henry couldn't help but laugh at the situation.
He was already concerned about Sterling's love life, and now he had to take care of Sterling's employees too?
He studied Molly for a moment. "I'll grill for you, but you have to answer some questions."
Molly agreed without hesitation.
---
Meanwhile, Willow remained unaware of what was happening in the courtyard.
She could tell Henry didn't welcome her presence, and she had no desire to see Gloria's face either.
Luke's timing had been perfect—he'd helped her deal with the suspicious water and given her an excuse to return to her room.
After changing, Willow decided to relax in her room.
Twenty minutes after drinking from the glass, she felt no unusual effects. Either she hadn't consumed enough, or Gloria hadn't added anything after all.
Feeling reassured, Willow changed into a robe and headed to the private hot spring behind her room.
The courtyard was divided into front and back sections. The front was for gatherings and entertainment, while the back was artfully partitioned into separate areas corresponding to each room, each with its own private hot spring, ensuring complete privacy.
The spring's temperature was perfect, enhanced with herbs meant to clear the mind. After soaking for a while, Willow's body warmed up quickly.
At first, she attributed it to the hot spring's natural effect. But as she continued to soak, the warmth spread throughout her body like a swarm of ants, gradually eroding her consciousness.
When the night breeze blew across her exposed skin, Willow unconsciously moaned.
The sound was jarringly loud in the quiet night.
With her remaining lucidity, Willow realized the water had indeed been drugged!
Gloria had been clever—the drug wasn't immediate but took time to take effect.
As the drug's influence overwhelmed her, Willow's legs grew weak. She couldn't muster any strength, and she was barely able to stand.
This was bad.
Instinctively sensing danger, Willow knew that if this continued, she might drown in the hot spring before the desire consumed her.
Fighting to maintain her last shred of rationality, she struggled to climb out of the pool.
No matter how hard she tried, she kept sliding back in.
"Help..." Willow attempted to call for help, but her voice emerged as a moan. Embarrassed, she swallowed the rest of her cry.
Occasional faint splashing sounds echoed through the back courtyard.
Sterling was soaking in the adjacent hot spring.
He heard vague noises but couldn't identify their source.
Luke ran out from the room and grabbed Sterling's robe in his mouth.
Sterling frowned, climbed out of the spring, and followed the dog.
He had raised Luke from a puppy, and the dog was highly alert to danger. He wouldn't act this way without reason.
Man and dog wound through the landscaped back courtyard.
They finally stopped at a locked wooden door.
Sterling recognized it as one of the partitions designed to separate the hot springs and ensure privacy.
Through the door, the splashing sounds became clearer. Occasionally came a woman's coughing, as if choking on water.
Luke urgently rammed the door with his body and tried to bite through the lock.
Sterling's expression darkened. "Luke, move aside."
Luke barked twice and stepped back.
In the next moment, Sterling raised his leg and kicked the door hard.
After several powerful kicks, he broke through.
Luke rushed in immediately.
Sterling followed quickly behind, his expression grave.
While he would save anyone in danger, he desperately hoped it wasn't who he thought it might be.
In the hot spring, Willow could no longer stand. Her body slid uncontrollably into the water.
Suddenly, she felt something furry against her neck.
Luke had grabbed her robe in his mouth and was trying to drag her toward the edge.
"Luke...?" In her haze, Willow glimpsed Luke's form and instinctively looked behind him.
There was no one there.
Disappointment flashed across her eyes. Then, seeing Luke sliding toward the water as he struggled to hold her, Willow's brow creased with concern.
"Luke, let go. You can't pull me out—I'll drag you in." She fought to maintain her clarity. "Be good, release me and go find someone..."
Luke refused to let go of her robe, clamping down harder until he finally succeeded in pulling it off completely.
Willow floated naked in the hot spring, feeling utterly hopeless.
Was this really how she would die? Not only would she be the first person to drown in a hot spring, but she'd be found without even a shred of clothing?
If only she had never tried to protect Sterling.