Chapter 142 Jackson Visits Willow

Brianna's miserable cries could no longer reach Tang Yi's cold, indifferent heart.

It was clear Brianna could no longer stay in Horizon City, having to watch everything she once had slowly slip away.

She sat on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Within days, the internet was flooded with news about Brianna—overseas drug use, being kept by a wealthy man. The once ballet princess with a scandalous private life saw her fair-weather friends, those socialites and well-to-do ladies who had clung to her, vanish. Her reputation was ruined.

That's how the media is—lifting you high when they favor you and striking you down mercilessly when they don't.

Brianna had no choice but to flee the country in disgrace.

Madison, who wasn't into celebrity gossip, only found out about Brianna's situation when she heard colleagues like Wei and Rachel gossiping in the studio. She didn't bring it up with Matthew afterward. Reflecting on that night, she realized why she felt strange—it must've been something in the glass of red wine Brianna gave her. She didn't mention it, and Matthew didn't ask. He probably knew, which explained Brianna's trouble afterward.

She didn't feel sorry for Brianna at all. Call her heartless or callous, but she believed some things and some people were beyond forgiveness.

However, she didn't hate her either. Hating someone was an energy drain she couldn't justify. To her, Brianna had become a stranger. The incident was in the past, and she was focused on cherishing the present and making the most of her life.

*

Madison was scrutinizing design drafts at the studio when her phone rang. It was Willow Nelson. "Willow, what's up?"

"Are you okay? After I saw the news about Brianna, I pressed Matthew for answers, and he told me she actually drugged you." Willow's voice was filled with anger. "I always knew that woman was malicious at heart, and I was right. That low move she pulled... Matthew must've been blind to fall for her."

Madison was touched, knowing Matthew's close friends had always stood by her. "I'm fine, Willow. She's received her deserved punishment."

Willow continued sharply, "I heard she'd fled overseas from Brother Five. Humph, I hope I never run into her because I'll definitely slap her twice for you, Sister." Despite Madison's reassurances, Willow was clearly upset, thinking Madison was too lenient.

Was she gone abroad? The thought briefly crossed Madison's mind, but she didn't dwell on it, quietly listening to Willow vent on her behalf.

Eventually, Willow hurriedly added, "Will you be at The Old Residence this weekend? I'll come visit Quentin and Hannah and see Grandpa."

"Yes, we'll be there. The kids have gotten used to it and insist on going every day."

"Great, I'll see you this weekend, Sister."

"Sure."

Madison hung up and went back to her blueprints.

Seeing an unfamiliar number on her caller ID, Willow Nelson answered the call with a touch of suspicion, "Hello, who's this?"

"Senpai, it's me," came the cheerful and clear voice of a young man from the other end.
It was Jackson. Willow Nelson was puzzled over how he got her cell phone number. The guy had been MIA for the past two weeks, not a single message, and she had almost resigned to having him turn into another zombie friend in her contact list.

And wasn't there Facebook? Why on earth would he call her instead?

"Where did you get my number, Jackson? Couldn't you have just hit me up on Facebook? Why call? Something urgent?" she asked.

Jackson chuckled softly on the other end, explaining, "As a junior in the same field, it wasn't hard to get your number. After all, we shared the same advisor, and you, my dear senior, haven't changed your number since graduation."

Willow Nelson blushed with embarrassment. The kid was actually her junior. She thought they only shared the same university, not realizing they were in the same major under the same advisor. Professor Lee probably remembered her well since she struggled to get up for his classes and showed up late all too frequently.

"I messaged you on Facebook first. You didn't respond, so I decided to call," he explained.

Willow quickly checked her Facebook, and sure enough, there were two unread messages. She had been too busy talking on the phone with Sister to notice them.

"Oh, did you need something from me?" Willow quickly steered the conversation elsewhere.

"Aren't you curious about where I've been all this time?"

She asked casually, "So, where have you been hiding these days?"

"Family stuff. I had to go home."

"Don't you have classes?"

"It's the senior year. Everyone's out interning. I just stayed to research with our advisor."

"Ah, gotcha."

Silence fell between them until Jackson said, "Senior, do you want to treat me to a meal?"

"Why should I take you out to eat?" Willow couldn't help but blurt out.

"I'm cut off, no money for food," Jackson said, making his voice extra pitiful. Willow's heart softened immediately. "Where are you then?"

"I'm near your company. I'll come by soon. I got to go. Bye ~." Jackson hung up quickly as if afraid Willow would change her mind.

Staring at the now-dark phone screen, Willow had an inkling she might have been played.

At noon sharp, Willow received a Facebook message from Jackson, "Senior, I'm downstairs at your company."
Willow Nelson glanced at her phone, suddenly realizing how the kid knew where she worked. She grabbed her handbag and rushed to leave, only to bump into Mitchell and their project manager at the elevator doors.

Willow steadied herself and greeted them with respectful politeness.

Mitchell slightly frowned, eyeing Willow without a word.

Off the clock, Willow's project manager was exceptionally strict and serious, but he had a good rapport with the team and would crack jokes now and then.

He beamed at her, teasingly asking, "Heading out for lunch, Willow?"

In front of Mitchell, Willow couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. It was just a normal lunch outing, but with Jackson waiting downstairs for her, she felt like a teenager sneaking out on a covert date and getting caught by her parents. With a rigid smile plastered on her face, she mumbled vaguely, "Yeah, off to grab some lunch, boss."

"Willow, have you got yourself a boyfriend? You've been heading out quite a bit lately," the project manager cheerfully remarked. If he hadn't looked so benign, Willow would have been petrified.

"No, no, just joking around, Boss. There's a new place that just opened up nearby, and I thought I'd give it a try," Willow hastily explained, her nerves racing.

She sneakily cast a glance at Mitchell, noticing his apparent indifference. His composed demeanor reassured her.

When the elevator came, they all stepped in together. Willow shook off her fears, questioning why she felt guilty in the first place. Falling in love was normal, and eventually, as life would have it, she would marry someone else, wouldn't she?

Yet, she felt wrong when the manager had inquired about her love life, and Mitchell seemed utterly unfazed.
True Love After Divorce
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