Willow's heart leaped into her throat!
A memory surfaced unbidden: when she was with Aiden Pierce, the man had taken her earlobe between his lips, sucking and kissing it over and over.
'Did that bastard Aiden Pierce manage to take it with his mouth?'
She picked up her phone, wanting to dial Aiden Pierce's number, but then she realized she didn't even have it.
Her rounded shoulders slumped in an instant.
Filled with utter frustration.
A shrill ringtone suddenly pierced the air!
In the bathroom, the incessant ringing sounded like a death knell.
An unfamiliar number was on the screen.
Normally, Willow West would hang up on unknown numbers immediately, but this time, as if possessed, she answered with a trembling hand.
The call connected. Willow West said nothing, just waited quietly for the other person to speak.
In the quiet night, a man's low, breathy voice came through the phone.
It was hoarse and tinged with restraint, and goosebumps broke out on Willow West's arms involuntarily.
"Leaving without even saying goodbye to me?"
Willow West was impatient. "Uncle Pierce, what do you want?!"
"Did I interrupt something?
What?
The moment you got out of my bed, you couldn't wait to rush over to your fiancé's place to 'work overtime'!
Hoping to secure your position with a child?"
Willow West's knuckles turned white as she gripped her phone.
"That's my business, and it has nothing to do with you, Uncle Pierce!
We agreed before—after this one night, we're even!
You're not thinking of going back on your word, are you!"
Aiden Pierce sneered. "Little West, are you looking down on me?"
Willow West: "Did you call me in the middle of the night just to check up on me, to see if I'm sleeping with my fiancé?"
'Doesn't he have anything better to do?'
Aiden Pierce chuckled, the breathy sound traveling through the phone and into Willow West's eardrum.
"Do you need something?"
"It seems the thing you lost wasn't very important. In that case, I'll just deal with it as I see fit!"
'So the earring really is at Aiden Pierce's place!'
Willow West frowned, a hint of urgency in her voice. "Uncle Pierce, is my earring at your place?"
Aiden Pierce: "Yes. It's round and fair, just like your skin!"
Even over the phone, Willow West felt violated.
She wanted nothing more than to stab Aiden Pierce to death!
"When are you free? I'll come get it!"
"Tomorrow, ten in the morning, Valerorn Lane Villa!
Don't be late!"
Willow West frowned.
Ten o'clock tomorrow morning was when she and Bianca Sterling were supposed to get their marriage license.
'Did Aiden Pierce set this time on purpose, or...?'
She had this pair of pearl earrings even before she was adopted!
After she discovered the secret hidden inside one of the pearls, she had never taken them off.
'How could I have lost it at Aiden Pierce's place?!'
'And of all things, it had to be *that* one!'
While Willow West's mind was in turmoil, Aiden Pierce had already hung up.
Aiden Pierce, with a towel wrapped around his waist, leaned back on the leather sofa.
The air was still filled with Willow West's scent. His chest heaved—infuriated by Little West.
Yet his body couldn't help but savor the memory of her.
He greedily, gently rubbed the pearl earring in his hand.
His breathing grew heavier.
Aiden Pierce closed his eyes, unfulfilled.
He ran a hand through his short, dripping hair, slicking it back.
This revealed a broad forehead and deep-set, more predatory features.
'Little West, thinking of getting a marriage license with someone else? Not a chance in hell!'
Earlier tonight, he had overheard Melanie Ulrich's phone call.
This made Aiden Pierce even more agitated.
'What is Little West doing right now?!'
'Is she already in Bianca Sterling's bed?'
The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became.
He finally stood up, grabbed his clothes from the sofa, and headed out.
After her shower, Willow West lay in bed. Her body was exhausted, but the unfamiliar surroundings kept her from falling asleep.
Bianca Sterling pushed the door open. He was damp from the shower, a black bathrobe wrapped around him.
Willow West frowned instinctively.
The smell of alcohol still clung to Bianca Sterling, and his gaze was lecherous. "Willow West, take off your clothes!"
This disgusting behavior from Bianca Sterling made Willow West's stomach turn, but her expression remained unchanged.
"Bianca Sterling, what are you doing!"
Bianca Sterling snorted in contempt. "Didn't your mother tell you to sleep with me tonight?
What?
Didn't the West Family teach you how to please a man?"
Bianca Sterling reached out and hooked an arm around Willow West's waist.
In truth, aside from being rigid, dull, and boring, Willow West was very beautiful. She had delicate features, bright eyes, pearly teeth, and a great figure.
She had the proportions of a model, with a slender waist.
'A woman like this must be boring in bed, too!'
'Still, sleeping with her once in a while wouldn't hurt.'
Bianca Sterling's lips moved closer, his alcohol-laced breath hitting her neck. "No condoms tonight!"
Willow West frowned, fighting back her disgust as she gently pushed Bianca Sterling away. "Bianca, wait a second!
I'm going to change!"
The man looked down. Willow West's pajamas were a very conservative style, covering her completely.
'She knows enough to change?!'
'Looks like she can be trained after all!'
"I'll wait for you!"
Willow West went into the walk-in closet and locked the door from the inside.
She changed into a wine-red slip dress with thin straps, then picked up her phone, adjusted the angle, and took several pictures. CLICK. CLICK. CLICK.
She posted them to her social media feed.
Visible to one person only.
Soon, a flood of messages from Robin Sutton came pouring in.
[Willow West, you really don't mind that I slept with Bianca?]
[It's just a diamond ring, what's there to show off!
If I wanted one, I could have one too...]
Willow West's fingers tapped rapidly on the screen.
[Not every ring is a wedding ring.
And not every certificate is a marriage license!]
Robin Sutton: [After you went upstairs, Bianca and I did it!]
Willow West: [And what do you think I'm dressed so sexy for!]
Robin Sutton: [Bitch, you're trying to seduce Bianca!
He won't touch you!]
Outside, Bianca Sterling's impatient voice called out, "Willow West, hurry up and come out!
What's the point of changing? You'll have to take it all off in the end anyway!
Stop dawdling!"
Willow West frowned, seized the opportunity to record a voice message, and sent it to Robin Sutton with a WHOOSH.
[Sorry, your Bianca can't wait!
We're about to do it!]
Robin Sutton went silent.
Outside the door, Bianca Sterling's furious voice roared again, "Willow West, are you done yet?!
If you don't come out now, I'm kicking the door down!"
Willow West opened the door. Bianca Sterling's eyes were glued to her. The woman was as white as snow!
The thin red straps crossed her collarbones and rested on her shoulders, creating an indescribable allure...
But she was having an allergic reaction. The rash on her body looked a bit ghastly, and Bianca Sterling instantly lost his appetite.
But then he remembered Mrs. Sterling's warning and still reached out to grab her wrist.
He started to pull her out.
'If it comes down to it, I'll just turn off the lights and close my eyes!'
Before Bianca Sterling could make a move, a phone rang abruptly!
Willow West saw the caller ID and rejoiced inwardly. 'Robin Sutton was really quick this time!'
Bianca Sterling didn't hesitate and answered immediately.
Robin Sutton's crying voice came through the phone. "Bianca, the power went out in my apartment, and I was in the bathroom and accidentally twisted my ankle!
...*sob*... it really hurts..."
A look of clear anxiety and restlessness crossed Bianca Sterling's face.
"There, there, don't be scared. Don't move, I'm coming over right now!"
Without a backward glance, Bianca Sterling slammed the door and left, leaving the room in silence.
Willow West was just about to get into bed and sleep when, unexpectedly, the doorbell rang!