Chapter 78:Fletcher’s Tab
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The assistant’s laptop rested on his thigh.Spotting the tail, he used the Skynet system to trace the vehicle.
Willow felt a surge of annoyance.Seriously? Her ex–husband!
Lucian’s dark eyes held a hint of amusement.“Your ex–husband is very interested in you.” He spoke as if Fletcher were a complete stranger, not his nephew.
He’s insane!” she muttered, suppressing her urge to unleash a string of curses. Lucian told his assistant, “Let them follow.”
The black sedan pulled into Lucian’s residence. Within a five–mile radius, the vehicle’s movements were under satellite surveillance.Guard posts were strategically placed, thickening to one every ten paces within a mile of the house. Willow could see patrol cars constantly passing by.The car smoothly entered the underground garage.
Before Lucian could speak, Willow’s eyes shone with anticipation.“Uncle Lucian, you brought me here… you’ve agreed to let me join Dragon Rise?!“She pictured herself in Lucian’s mansion, a flag hanging behind her as she swore an oath of loyalty and secrecy.
“No,” Lucian immediately denied, shattering her fantasy.
“But I won the gold medal!” she protested.
“A mere competition isn’t a key to Dragon Rise.”
Willow deflated.She bit her lip, pushing a stray hair from her face.In the dim light, Lucian watched her with amusement, a hint of indulgence in his gaze that he didn’t even register.
“Come by often.Study the materials.”
The words “study the materials” re–energized her.She felt like hugging Lucian’s legs. His home was a treasure trove of knowledge.
The car door opened, and Willow and Lily eagerly stepped out.She watched as the assistant transferred Lucian to his wheelchair.Seeing his immobile legs, a wave of sadness washed over her.
Lucian, in his wheelchair, passed her.“Suppress your pity,” he said, his tone unyielding. Willow felt her expression was justified. She’d seen Lucian at his most vibrant, commanding any room he entered.The sight of this brilliant mind confined to a wheelchair pained her.
“You can reject my pity, but I can’t control how I feel.“She followed his wheelchair, oblivious to the sudden stillness in his demeanor.“Uncle Lucian hasn’t changed in my memory. All the beautiful words in the world could describe you, but no praise is ever enough.”
Lily gasped, her admiration for Lucian growing.
“Enough with the flattery!” Lucian snapped, unimpressed. His bodyguard, pushing the wheelchair, chuckled quietly.If Lucian truly didn’t care, he wouldn’t have reacted. His resistance proved he’d heard her, and his ears even flushed slightly.
They entered the elevator. When the doors opened, uniformed personnel stood in two lines, as if awaiting their arrival.
“Hey!“Star, Lucian’s younger brother, surprisingly stood amongst them, usually avoiding people. His eyes lit up upon seeing Willow. He ran towards her, then hesitated, biting his lip before
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Chapter 28 Fletcher’s Tab
offering a radiant smile.
“Star! Long time no see! Can I hug you?”
Lily opened her arms, and Star, his fingers nervously twisting his sleeve, nodded.Lily scooped him up, weighing him.“Star, you’ve gotten heavier!
heavier! Have you been eating well?”
Star’s face flushed crimson.
The personnel bowed in unison.“Good evening, Mr. Caldwell, Ms. James, Miss Lily.” Good evening,” Lily responded, bowing politely, her ingrained manners kicking in. Willow irrored the greeting, silently wondering if Lucian employed this many maids.It was quite a stunning array of beautiful women.
“Ms. James, we are the Valencia VIP service team.This is our lead tailor, Isadora. We are here at Mr. Caldwell’s invitation to custom–design a gown for you.”
while! Shall we begin?”
The stylish blonde tailor smiled.“Ms. James, it’s been
Willow, at fourteen, had been brought to the city by Lucian, wearing ill–fitting clothes, eyeing the skyscrapers with curiosity and apprehension.Lucian had taken her to Valencia’s VIP department, where Isadora had made her a custom outfit.
Willow had asked, “Are these clothes expensive? Do I need to wear such expensive clothes to go to university?“If attending the gifted program cost this much, she wouldn’t go; her family couldn’t afford it.
Lucian had said, “I want you to live comfortably. University isn’t a pure ivory tower; it’s a microcosm of society. You might struggle at first, but it’s a necessary part of your growth.Providing you with material comfort allows you to focus on your studies without worry.
Since then, she’d loved Valencia. Wearing the brand brought back the sense of security Lucian’s support had given her.
Willow was surrounded by staff, Isadora calling out measurements.In seven years of marriage to the Caldwells, she’d never had this treatment.While custom design teams visited, Willow had been one of those attendants, serving the matriarch alongside them.She’d never had a custom gown, because neither Fletcher nor the matriarch would take her to events. They considered her unworthy, a country bumpkin.No matter her past achievements, her days spent on household chores had dimmed her.She’d felt worthless, undeserving of fine clothes.
Now, luxury draped over her.She looked at her reflection, hearing Isadora’s exclamation:“Ms. James, you are breathtakingly beautiful.”
Willow turned to Lucian in his wheelchair.
