All too late for his love

"Willow, why would you think I'm trying to set you up? I'm just worried that Mr. Nightingale might remove you as the brand ambassador. I really do care about you," Wilhelmina said, her eyes filled with hurt.

"Even if you stole my bracelet, Willow, I wouldn't hold it against you. I just hope you don't misunderstand my intentions again. Willow, I really hope things look up for you. You'll always be my best friend."

"Best friend..."

Willow's voice lingered on the words.

"Wilhelmina, if being a 'best friend' means slipping a ridiculous Sugar Baby Agreement and your bracelet Into my bag to make me look like a sugar baby and a thief, then I definitely don't need a 'best friend' like you!"

"Willow, what are you talking about?"

Tears trembled on Wilhelmina's eyelashes, making her look even more distraught.

"How could you think so poorly of me? I don't even know what a Sugar Baby Agreement is, let alone slip it into your bag!

"And the bracelet is a gift from Matt's grandmother. It means the world to me. Why would I use it to set anyone up? Willow, I thought we were friends. You can't just accuse me without any proof!"

"Wilhelmina, are you finished with your act?"

Willow's patience had worn thin. She checked the time on her phone. She needed to pick Aaron up from kindergarten soon, and time was running out.

*Besides, if I were involved in something like a Sugar Baby Agreement, I wouldn't be silly enough to carry the agreement in my bag everywhere."

"Willow-

Refusing to give Wilhelmina any room to continue her charade, Willow cut her off.

"Wilhelmina, I knew having you and Skyler at the brand ambassador audition would spell trouble. You two never give me a moment's peace!Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

"Why would I give you the chance to set me up when I knew you'd never let up? If I hadn't been sure about I the surveillance cameras in the wardrobe room, I wouldn't have left my bag there while I changed, just for you two to set me up!

*Wilhelmina, there are no surveillance cameras in the changing rooms, but plenty in the wardrobe room. Go check the footage if you don't believe me!"

Wilhelmina's expression underwent a dramatic shift at Willow's words. She had always believed the wardrobe room was private. She never imagined it was being watched.

All her carefully laid plans would fall apart if that footage leaked. Hers and Skyler's chance at becoming Chapter 290.

the brand ambassadors for Arena of Glory would be ruined if it got out.

Yet, Wilhelmina was convinced that if they could somehow stop the footage from being leaked, Willow's innocence wouldn't matter to most people. With the items found in Willow's bag, everyone would still see her as a thief, and her reputation would be ruined.

"Enough, Willow!" Matthew exploded with anger.

He couldn't shake off his discomfort from her earlier comment about not caring for someone she despised, even if they paid her millions. Seeing her defiance now only made him angrier and almost pushed him to violence.

"Willow, no matter how hard you try to pretend, the fact that you're filthy remains unchanged!" Matthew snapped.

lan noticed a hint of redness in Willow's eyes. He felt as if someone had sliced through his heart. Feeling overwhelmed by discomfort, he pressed his hand against his chest. He felt an urgent need to intervene.

Dressed sharply in a suit, lan slowly approached Matthew.

"Mr. Mayer, I've heard great things about you. Some have called you a young genius. But seeing you now, I must say you're quite ordinary!"

The hall fell silent as the two imposing men seemed to engage in an unspoken confrontation.

lan's aristocratic features hardened with resolve as he demanded, "If Willow is indeed innocent, I expect you to apologize to her!"