Willow bit her lips and asked, “Does that mean you don’t like me anymore?” Turning his head, Jasper could not bear to look into her eyes as he answered, “Yes. I have to get back to work immediately, so I will stay clear of anyone and anything that I have nothing to do with.”
After getting that reply, Willow felt her tears gathering in her eyes. She clenched her fists. and looked at the man’s face. At that moment, her pride overwhelmed her. “Fine. I won’t bother you anymore, Mr. Wyatt. It was a pleasure to have you service me.” Once she was done, she placed the card on the table. “I will never accept other people’s free help, so take this. Now, we don’t owe each other anything.”
She got up to leave but stopped at the door. Without turning around, she said, “Let’s not meet again, Mr. Wyatt.” Afterward, she slammed the door, Jasper looked at the card on the table and closed his eyes, sighing.
On the other hand, Willow did not return to her room. Her tears were streaming down her face. None of her words were sincere, but she knew she could not make him stay. Since the results were clear, she chose to set him free.
For the rest of the trip, Willow stayed in her room and never left. She even stayed inside after the ship docked at the harbor. Meanwhile, Winston contacted the archaeological team to come and unload the artifacts they had brought back. One of the higher-ups from the Bureau of International Cultural Heritage also arrived. He wanted to thank Willow personally, but she asked Winston to meet the higher-up on her behalf as her current appearance made it inappropriate for her to meet anyone.
In the meantime, Jasper descended the ship with his luggage but turned around to look back. Although he was still alone, like when he first arrived, his footsteps had become heavier now that he had to leave. Alas, he would have to leave eventually.
Unbeknownst to Jasper, a figure was watching him from the ship’s window. When Willow saw him leaving without any hesitation, the tears she fought hard to control began falling again. No matter how hard she tried, she could not stop herself this time.
That night, the Presgraves held a small party to celebrate Willow’s return. As Willow had her emotions under control now, she returned to being the cheerful young woman before her family.
Elliot was happy, for his daughter had made a huge contribution and worked a national job. He was even more joyous and excited than when he achieved something great himself. Seeing his children finally growing up was something he, as a parent, felt the most comforting.
Of course, the bodyguards had reported his daughter’s relationship problems to him. A man named Jasper Wyatt had been helping Willow out all this while, and Willow had developed feelings for that man during this expedition. When it came to his daughter’s love life, Elliot never intervened unless she asked for his help.
That night, Willow was spacing out when her mother entered the room. Being the attentive woman she was, Anastasia naturally noticed her daughter’s thoughts..
“Mom! Willow wiped her tears away, feeling flustered. Coming to sit beside Willow, Anastasia looked at her daughter gently. “Care to share your thoughts with me?”
While sulking, Willow shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.” Anastasia helped her daughter tidy up her long. hair and cooed, “It’s fine. You’re a grown-up now, so you must learn to care for yourself.”
Willow nodded. “You’re right. I’m no longer a child.” When Anastasia heard Willow say that, she thought her daughter was still a child. However, Willow was now a grown-up, so she understood if Willow was unwilling to tell her anything. Once her mother left, Willow found her phone and texted Jasper, asking, ‘Where are you now?
After not getting a reply, she bit her lip, wondering if he had blocked her number after getting off the ship. Then, she got up and grabbed her car keys to head out. Once her car left home, the bodyguards followed her in at van, protecting her from a distance..
Willow arrived at the entrance of a bar in the city center and took a picture of the place before sending it to Jasper. ‘I’m drinking here alone. Why don’t you come and keep me company?’
