Chapter 124
Charles had actually rushed to the restaurant after receiving a call from his private investigator, who told him Willow was there.
He'd assumed she was meeting Sterling.
What he hadn't expected was to see Willow and Kaitlyn exit one after another. Relieved, he watched Willow enter the diner next door and waited outside.
"Why are you eating out? Didn't Rena's cooking agree with you?" he asked.
Instead of answering, Willow countered, "When is your grandfather coming back?"
Charles's smile faded. "You're that eager to leave?"
Willow's lips curved slightly. "You've already agreed to divorce me, so I'll be leaving sooner or later."
Charles's face darkened. "Tomorrow."
Just as Sterling had said.
Willow's expression softened. She asked patiently, "What do you need me to do?"
Charles glanced at her, a cold glint hidden in his eyes. "I'll tell you when the time comes. You don't need to worry about anything—just stay by my side."
Willow didn't press further.
Back at the mansion, she went straight to her room, and Charles didn't stop her.
---
The next day, Willow asked Charles if she needed to take time off work to prepare for meeting his grandfather that evening. Charles told her to go to work as usual and come directly afterward.
Willow agreed.
At the company entrance, she ran into Sterling talking with some executives. Her heart tightened.
Fortunately, Sterling only glanced her way before quickly looking away.
It seemed he'd taken her words to heart.
Relieved, Willow headed upstairs to the planning department.
Throughout the day, Sterling made no attempt to approach her, putting her completely at ease.
At the end of the workday, Charles called. "I'm downstairs."
Willow acknowledged and hurried down before her colleagues.
"Where's Uncle Sterling?" Charles asked with an unreadable expression once she was in the car. "Isn't he joining us?"
Willow frowned. "You can ask him yourself."
Charles just smiled and started driving toward Lancaster Manor.
On the way, he briefed her, instructing her to put in a good word for Penelope.
Willow agreed, swallowing her disgust.
As long as Charles divorced her, she wouldn't need to deal with Penelope afterward. Whether Penelope returned to the Lancaster family was none of her concern.
When they arrived at Lancaster Manor, several cars were already parked outside—other family members who had arrived earlier.
Harold's return was clearly a more significant event than Charles's marriage, drawing nearly the entire Lancaster clan, including relatives Willow had never even heard of—and who, naturally, had never met her either.
Charles led her inside, making introductions along the way.
The family was cordial enough to Charles but noticeably cooler toward Willow.
After all, a new bride whose husband hadn't bothered to invite the entire family to the wedding was obviously not someone he valued highly.
Willow had once felt uncomfortable about their attitude, but now she took it in stride.
They continued greeting people as they entered the main hall.
Charles spotted Sterling talking with Elaine and his smile deepened. "Uncle Sterling and Aunt Elaine are over there. Let's say hello." He took Willow's hand.
Willow froze, but before she could react, he'd already pulled her over to them.
"Uncle Sterling, Aunt Elaine," Willow greeted stiffly.
The pair paused their conversation and turned to look.
Elaine glanced at Charles, then focused on Willow. "Willow, it's been a while."
Willow smiled tightly, aware of Sterling's gaze from the corner of her eye. She turned and gave him a brief smile too.
Sterling's eyes darkened, but he said nothing.
"Thanks to Aunt Elaine, Willow hasn't stopped talking about how much she loves the baby since her last visit," Charles said, squeezing Willow's hand as he addressed Elaine. "We're actually planning to have one of our own."
He was looking at Elaine, but his words were meant for Sterling.
Willow hadn't expected this lie and couldn't hide her aversion.
Charles tightened his grip on her hand, reminding her of tonight's mission.
Willow pressed her lips together and endured.
Elaine's gaze moved between their faces before she reached out and took Willow's hand from Charles.
Willow felt secretly relieved.
"If you like babies, come visit anytime. But having children is something to consider carefully," Elaine said, drawing Willow to her side with genuine concern. "Both parents' genes have a significant impact on a child. Willow, you might want to think this through."
Willow caught her meaning and stayed silent.
Elaine patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. When you meet my father tonight, if you have any grievances, just tell him. He'll make things right for you."
Her words made no attempt to disguise her disdain for Charles.
Charles's face darkened, but surrounded by Lancaster family members, he could only grit his teeth and bear it.
"Aunt Elaine, you're overthinking things. I treat Willow better than anyone—how could I let her suffer?" he said with a forced smile as he pulled Willow back to his side. "I should introduce Willow to the other elders. Please, continue your conversation."
Without waiting for a response, he led Willow away.
Behind them, Sterling's gaze remained fixed on Willow.
"Willow doesn't seem very willing," Elaine remarked, studying their retreating figures before glancing at Sterling beside her. "Father's here today. Mind yourself."
She wasn't trying to meddle, but Sterling's resentment was so palpable she couldn't ignore it.
Sterling looked away without responding.
A while later, when most guests had arrived, Harold descended the stairs slowly, supported by a middle-aged man.
In his seventies and recently recovered from a serious illness, Harold had white hair and a slightly stooped posture. Yet the aura he projected commanded respect. Though his face was aged, it carried natural authority.
The middle-aged man beside him shared a strong family resemblance, though his demeanor was far more gentle, his face bearing a warm smile.
The moment they appeared, the previously noisy hall fell silent.
At the bottom of the stairs, Harold released the man's arm and walked to his seat with a cane. "Everyone, please sit."
The guests took their seats and offered auspicious greetings, which Harold graciously accepted.
As Harold's granddaughter-in-law, Willow sat at the same table as him and Charles, though in the seat farthest from Harold.
After exchanging pleasantries with everyone else, Harold finally turned to the couple.
"So this is Willow?" His tone was relatively kind when addressing family.
Willow greeted him respectfully. "Hello, Grandfather."
Harold studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Good girl. How's Charles been treating you? Did he give you any difficulties?"
Willow glanced at Charles beside her.
Charles silently urged her to answer quickly.