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.”


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    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 ced the card on the


    table. “I will never ept 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 mmed 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 toe 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 be heavier now that he had to


    leave. s, 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 mostforting.


    Of course, the bodyguards had reported his daughter’s rtionship 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 ce before sending


    it to Jasper. ‘I’m drinking here alone. Why don’t youe and keep mepany?’