Chapter 86
Sterling remained silent for a long moment.
As Willow's emotions settled, she realized how presumptuous her words had sounded.
Sterling hadn't even agreed to give her rides home, yet she was already worried about being seen together by colleagues.
"What I meant was—" she began, trying to explain herself.
"You're concerned about what others might think," Sterling said cryptically. "Aren't you worried what I might think?"
Willow froze.
After a moment, she understood his implication and felt a knot form in her stomach.
Sterling must think her massage offer seemed too intimate.
"Uncle Sterling, you've helped me so much," she quickly explained. "I just want to find some way to repay you. Since my massage technique seems to work for you, I thought I could help you sleep better."
She lowered her eyes in embarrassment. "If you feel it's inappropriate, we can forget about it..."
From an angle she couldn't see, Sterling's brow furrowed in frustration.
Willow was Charles's wife—his nephew's wife.
He was aware that Willow had been carefully maintaining distance between them, as she should.
Yet whenever she expressed this distance, Sterling felt an inexplicable irritation.
Especially when she showed continued attachment to Charles.
It kindled a fire within him that had no outlet.
"We'll do as you suggested," Sterling finally said, suppressing his agitation. "Blake, did you hear Ms. Spencer's request?"
He had agreed to the shared rides.
Blake was genuinely delighted. This could solve his boss's insomnia problem!
"Yes, Mr. Lancaster!" he responded enthusiastically.
Willow also felt relieved and offered Sterling a smile.
"Should I help with the massage now?" she asked.
"No need," Sterling replied coolly. "Just sit."
Willow's smile faded, assuming Sterling was reluctant to accept her help.
She didn't realize that her mere presence was already having a significant effect on his sleeplessness.
The rest of the journey passed in silence.
By the time they reached Willow's apartment complex, darkness had fallen completely.
The dim streetlights revealed a commotion at the entrance. A group of elderly residents had gathered, appearing agitated.
"Could you hurry, please?" Willow asked Blake anxiously.
Blake pulled over smoothly. "I'll check what's happening. With your injury, you should stay in the car."
He had noticed the disturbance as well.
Blake stepped out of the car.
Before he could get close enough to see clearly, he heard Charles's angry voice.
"I'm here to see my wife! What right do you have to stop me? Move aside!"
Charles had arrived at the complex earlier but found himself surrounded by elderly residents who refused to let him enter. He was becoming increasingly frustrated.
Yesterday he'd had no trouble entering, but today these seniors seemed determined to block him.
"What wife? We only have grandmothers here," an elderly woman retorted, her hunched posture belying her strong voice.
Others joined in.
"After what you did, you still call her your wife? Did you even ask if Willow wants you back?"
"What kind of man raises his hand against a woman? If you were my son, I'd break both your legs!"
"Leave now! You're not welcome here!"
The accusations continued from all sides.
Charles quickly understood what was happening.
"What did Willow tell you? That I hurt her?" He tried to explain patiently. "I didn't! It was an accident! I've already apologized to her!"
He was furious.
Clearly Willow had deliberately turned these seniors against him to keep him away.
These elderly residents were proving remarkably stubborn.
"This is between Willow and me. It's none of your business. Please get out of my way!" Charles attempted to push forward.
As he took a step, someone deliberately cried out in pain.
He turned to see an elderly man collapsing shakily to the ground.
The other seniors tactfully stepped aside, ensuring passersby could witness the scene.
"Won't somebody help? This young man pushed down an old woman! And now he's trying to run away! Is there no justice?" The elderly woman sat on the ground, crying dramatically as if Charles had genuinely harmed her.
All eyes turned to Charles.
He was speechless, completely outmaneuvered by the seniors.
He pulled out his phone to call Willow.
Since this was clearly her arrangement, only she could resolve the situation.
In the car, Willow's phone began to ring.
At the same moment, Blake returned, suppressing a smile.
"It's Mr. Lancaster Jr.," he explained. "I'm not sure what Ms. Spencer told the seniors, but they're blocking his entry. One even pretended to fall. He looks quite upset."
Sterling raised an eyebrow and glanced at Willow.
Seeing Charles's name on her screen, Willow could guess what he wanted.
She declined the call. "I should go see what's happening. It's getting late. Uncle Sterling, you should head home and rest."
She couldn't let Charles continue this standoff with the elderly residents all night.
Willow stepped out of the car.
Blake moved to help her, but a look from Sterling stopped him.
From the car, they watched Willow limping toward the crowd.
"Willow's back," someone announced. "Willow, go inside! Don't worry about this. We won't let him bother you!"
Hearing this, Charles turned toward her.
Seeing Willow's unsteady gait, Charles instinctively stepped forward to help her.
Immediately, several seniors moved to block him, preventing him from approaching.
"Mr. Johnson, I'm fine," Willow said to one of the elderly men with a smile. "Let me talk to him. Thank you all for your concern, but it's late. Everyone should get some rest."
Charles said, "Willow, please explain to them. When did I ever hurt you?"
Willow looked directly at him. "My foot was indeed injured because of you."
"That was—" Charles began to defend himself.
Willow cut him off. "We're getting divorced soon anyway. There's no need for private meetings. Don't come here anymore. When we need to maintain appearances in public, I'll do my part."
Her words completely severed their relationship.
Charles was furious, his vision momentarily darkening with rage.
"I haven't agreed to a divorce!" he growled.
He strode toward Willow, about to say more when he glanced up and noticed the Bentley still parked nearby.
Sterling's car.
He remembered what his private investigator had told him.
They were together after all!
When Charles looked back at Willow, his eyes blazed with anger.