All too late for his love

The female celebrities, who already had a low opinion of influencers, were outraged when they saw Willow's shameless behavior.

"I've heard of sugar babies but never seen one like her. Today has been truly eye-opening!"

*100 thousand dollars a month? That's over a million a year! And she's available whenever? What a bitch!"

"Is there anything a bitch wouldn't do for money? Who knows what she does to satisfy her sugar daddy!"

"Willa must be regretting her choice of friends! Who knows what valuable things Willow has stolen from her!"

"I've been sitting beside her all day. I need to get a thorough check-up when I get home!"

Willow felt a surge of defiance as the insults grew more extreme. She couldn't afford to let their malicious gossip ruin her chance to remain the game company's brand ambassador.

She stepped up and was about to speak up in her defense when Matthew's cold, angry voice pierced through the air.

"Willow, apologize to Willa!"

Matthew's veins on his forehead were pulsing with anger. The stolen bracelet wasn't the reason that fueled his fury. Instead, it stemmed from Willow's preference for accepting 100 thousand dollars of financial support from someone else over his generous offer.

With a sneer, Matthew figured that the man supporting Willow must be some sort of twisted sugar daddy.

As soon as Duncan's name was mentioned, Matthew couldn't help but feel repulsed, imagining the guy as a disgusting old geezer. He wondered if Willow's choice meant she deemed Matthew to be even worse than that.

The overwhelming joy of seeing her alive quickly gave way to a seething, indescribable rage. Matthew's gaze bore into Willow's fair, smooth face with such intensity that it seemed as though he was trying to burn a hole through it with the power of his stare.

"Apologize? Mr. Mayer, you do have a penchant for jests!"

A faint smile crossed Willow's face. It was tinged with indifference but mostly mockery.

"This is the first I've heard of a victim of a setup needing to apologize to the one orchestrating it! If anyone should offer an apology, it's Wilhelminal" Willow exclaimed.

Willow's shimmering eyes slowly morphed into a sharp glint.

"Wilhelmina, you slipped that agreement and bracelet into my bag while I was changing, all to tarnish my reputation. You owe me an apology!"

I..."

Wilhelmina's tears flowed down her cheeks in distress.

"Willow, what are you saying? How could I possibly set you up like that? I Set your You didn't even know you were alive before entering this hall.

"Willow, you've got it all wrong. I had no idea you were alive, let alone have any intention to harm you! Fwon't tention hold it against you even if you took my bracelet. I know you might be in a tough situation as you rely

on financial support.

"I understand you and I'm here to help. Please, Willow, just stop going against me, alright?"

As Wilhelmina finished speaking, the hall's entrance burst open. A balding middle-aged men with a beer belly, appearing to be in his 50s, squinted as he entered. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Willow, are you done with your audition? I'm here to take you home."