Chapter 79
After ending his call, Charles rolled up his sleeves to prepare breakfast.
He'd accidentally injured Willow last night and wanted to make amends. They also needed to discuss her position at Lancaster Group properly.
Knowing Willow preferred congee, he skillfully prepared the rice porridge and made several small side dishes.
With the dishes ready and the congee still simmering, Charles checked the time and headed toward the bedroom to wake Willow.
Just as he reached her door, his phone rang.
He turned back to answer it.
"Charlie?" Rachel's worried voice came through. "Where are you? Your mother isn't feeling well. We're on our way to the hospital. Could you meet us there?"
Charles frowned slightly. "What's wrong with her?"
As far as he knew, his mother had always been in excellent health.
Rachel stammered, unable to give a clear answer.
Then Penelope's irritated voice cut in. "I have a terrible headache. Haven't slept all night." She sounded annoyed. "I knew you'd react this way—that's why I called Rachie instead. I shouldn't have bothered telling you at all."
Charles detected the accusation in her tone and massaged his temple. "I just wanted to know what's wrong so I could arrange for the right doctor. Which hospital are you heading to? I'll come right away."
Something felt off about the situation, but this was his mother—whether her condition was genuine or not, he needed to check.
After they named the hospital, Charles promised to meet them there and hung up. He hurried out without another word.
When Willow woke, the congee had nearly boiled dry, and several dishes sat untouched on the table.
Charles had clearly been cooking, then disappeared.
Willow turned off the stove, eyeing the scorched bottom of the pot with alarm.
The congee was ruined. She dumped it out, heated some milk for herself instead, and stored the side dishes in the refrigerator for dinner.
Then she called a taxi to take her to Lancaster Group.
As she was leaving, she discovered her employee badge in the trash, cut to pieces by Charles.
Considering last night's confrontation and the half-prepared breakfast, Willow felt a bitter irony.
She limped into the elevator, which was filled with elderly residents taking their grandchildren to school.
Seeing her hobbling, they immediately expressed concern.
"Willow, what happened to your foot? Are you injured?"
"Going to work in this condition? Young people these days have it so hard."
"Was that your boyfriend leaving the building this morning? Coming to take care of you? That's sweet. Have you two made up?"
The seniors chattered enthusiastically, their questions eventually circling back to Willow's relationship.
Someone had spotted Charles while taking out the trash and naturally connected him to Willow.
They openly discussed her love life until Willow quietly said, "He's not my boyfriend. He's my husband."
A brief silence fell over the elevator.
Then everyone erupted with questions.
"You're married? That young man looks like a real professional, always driving different cars. Why would he let you live here alone?"
"Exactly! What kind of husband lives in luxury while his wife struggles? And you're injured, yet still going to work!"
"Willow, you need to keep an eye on him. Men like that can't be trusted!"
Upon learning Charles's identity, their attitudes reversed completely.
Willow lowered her head, feigning distress. "Yes, he's been unfaithful. He came to beg for forgiveness. My foot? He injured it last night."
Her wounded appearance further incensed the seniors.
Though they enjoyed discussing Willow's life, it came from genuine concern. She was beautiful and considerate, always helping them when needed.
Hearing she'd been mistreated, they immediately rallied to her defense.
"He got physical with you? That's outrageous! What does he look like? We'll make sure he never enters this complex again!"
"Why didn't you call us yesterday? We would have driven him away!"
"He didn't... force himself on you, did he? If he did, we'll call the police! Don't worry, we've got your back!"
Their reactions were exactly as Willow had expected. The elderly residents might be gossips, but they were kindhearted.
She turned to them with a grateful smile. "It's nothing serious. But I'd appreciate if you could keep watch for me."
They eagerly agreed, promising to guard against Charles from that day forward, preventing him from setting foot in the complex.
As she left, several of them escorted her out and helped her into the taxi.
As the taxi headed toward Lancaster Group, Willow's phone rang.
It was Charles.
After a moment's hesitation, she answered.
"Willow, are you awake?" Charles's anxious voice came through. "I had an emergency. The congee was still cooking when I left—I think I forgot to turn off the stove. Did you—"
"I turned it off," Willow said.
Charles audibly relaxed. "Good. I've arranged for your day off. Rest well, and call me if you need anything."
Willow frowned.
Day off? Her phone had been in the locked bedroom all morning. How had Charles arranged leave for her?
Before she could ask, Charles had already hung up.
Pushing aside her confusion, Willow decided to go to work anyway. She'd just started the job—taking time off so soon would only reinforce her colleagues' negative impression.
Despite hurrying, she arrived late at Lancaster Group.
Without her badge, she would have been stuck at security, but fortunately, Molly was at reception and quickly let her through.
Stepping off the elevator, she immediately ran into her department manager.
"Willow? Didn't you take the day off?" the manager asked, looking her up and down.
"I wasn't feeling well this morning," Willow explained, "but I'm much better now, so I decided to come in."
The manager eyed her suspiciously.
She'd received notice of Willow's absence directly from Blake that morning, which had reinforced her suspicion that Willow had connections within the company.
But then she reconsidered—the only person who could command Blake was Sterling. Would Sterling ever allow someone to enter the company through connections? Impossible.
Besides, if Willow truly had such powerful backing, why would she bother coming in after her leave had been approved?
Dismissing her doubts, the manager jerked her chin toward the office. "Go on then."
Willow sighed with relief and limped to her desk.
Shortly after, the manager returned with a folder. "We're short-staffed for this afternoon's product launch. You'll fill in."
On-site execution was exhausting and offered no bonus pay, which was why her colleagues avoided it. The task had fallen to Willow by default.
Glancing through the materials, she recognized the new project she'd been researching yesterday. She nodded in acceptance.