Chapter 27: Sweet Scent

Julian’s footsteps toward the walk-in closet faltered.

Willow continued, "It’s inconvenient for Uncle Julian if I stay here."

She smiled at Sterling Kingston. "I want to spend more time with you, Grandpa Sterling. Seeing you reminds me of my own grandfather. Besides, you’ve taken such good care of me, and I have no way to repay you. I hope living with you will keep you company."

Sterling’s eyes grew misty as he listened.

Indeed, a girl was different from a boy.

Look at the rascals in his own family!

"Good, good. Grandpa doesn't need any repayment," he took Willow’s hand and patted it gently. "As long as you're happy, I’m satisfied."

Willow’s lips curved upward.

This way, there shouldn't be any more awkward situations, right?

She felt truly guilty for constantly taking advantage of her uncle.

Julian stood to the side, his thin lips moving slightly. "Willow, is your mind made up?"

"Yes," Willow lifted her face, trying her best to look composed. "Thank you for taking care of me during this time, Uncle Julian."

A turbulent surge swept through Julian’s indifferent eyes.

But it quickly receded.

"Mm."

With a faint response, he turned and entered the walk-in closet.

By the time he changed and came out, Sterling and Willow were already gone.

Moving out without even saying a word of goodbye to him.

Julian took out his phone, hesitated, and then put it back in his pocket.

He turned and walked into the master bedroom.

The bedding was in the dark tones he usually preferred.

But for some reason, the room didn't feel cold or harsh to him at all.

Standing by the nightstand, he saw the sachet he had made for her.

He had spent a long time selecting the herbs because she didn't sleep well.

He reached out, picked it up, and slowly brought it to his nose.

The medicinal fragrance was still strong, but it was mixed with another scent.

He had smelled it on the girl before.

It was the sweet scent of bergamot.

...

Willow sat in the car from the Kingston Estate.

Grandpa Sterling expressed concern about her stress levels and asked if anyone was bullying her at school.

Willow thought of the rumors on the forum.

It was her uncle who had helped her.

"No," she shook her head. "I'm doing quite well at school."

"That’s good then," Sterling laughed heartily. "How about I take you skiing after the anniversary performance? You should have a good relax."

Willow usually agreed to whatever the elders said.

She nodded. "Okay, thank you, Grandpa Sterling."

The two chatted for a while. Willow stared at her phone and instinctively navigated to WeChat, opening her chat with Julian.

They didn't communicate much; it was mostly very simple sentences.

The only time she had written a lot was when she sent the wrong message, asking how he was doing "down there."

He had taken care of her so much lately; it was only polite to say a proper goodbye.

But Grandpa Sterling had been in such a hurry, pulling her suitcase out of the apartment immediately.

She hadn't had the chance.

After a moment's thought, she sent a message: [Uncle Julian, I’ve already moved to the estate. We probably won't see each other much from now on.]

[Take care of yourself since you're home alone.]

No reply.

Willow gripped her phone and looked at the scenery outside the window.

For some reason, her heart felt empty.

The car soon stopped at the estate.

Sterling, worried about her safety in the guest house, had her stay in the main building.

He arranged a room for her on the first floor.

He also hired a maid specifically to look after her.

With the school anniversary approaching, weekend dance rehearsals were necessary.

Grandpa Sterling drove her to school.

It only took half an hour to reach the campus.

Willow was bewildered.

Had Uncle Julian taken the wrong route that day? Why had it taken him over an hour?

After getting out of the car, Sterling waved at her. "What time do you finish? Should Grandpa come pick you up?"

Willow waved back. "Grandpa Sterling, I’ll message you then."

"Good, good." Sterling replied repeatedly, watching Willow enter the school before leaving.

The driver had a good impression of Willow and couldn't help but say, "Sir, I think Miss Avery is quite nice. Master Julian doesn't have a girlfriend either; why don't you try to play matchmaker?"

To people like them, an age gap wasn't an issue.

In this circle, older husbands with young wives were common.

"Others would be fine, but not Willa," Sterling said sternly. "She is the granddaughter of my late first wife."

Besides, Julian had said last time that he liked people his own age.

...

Not long after Willow entered the school gates, Luna Hayes’ voice came from behind: "Willow, wait for me!"

"Luna?"

Willow turned back instinctively and saw her stepping out of a luxury car.

The man dropping her off was middle-aged and looked a lot like her; he was likely her father.

"Wow, Willow, I really underestimated you," Luna hooked her arm through Willow’s. "That car you were in—there are only ten of them in the world. You can't even buy one with just money. What exactly is your family background? I’ve never heard of a wealthy Avery family in Riverford."

Hearing this, Willow realized she hadn't told Luna her uncle’s real name.

The name Kingston was legendary in Riverford.

She moved her lips, about to speak, but Luna cut her off: "To be honest, my family is quite well-off; we own a jewelry business. I only stayed in the dorms because I wanted to fit in with the other students."

"By the way, from now on, your family must buy all their jewelry from me. Remember to buy a lot—I’ll be mad if you buy too little! Let our family make a bit more profit."

How could Willow possibly decide on the Kingston family's purchases?

She said, "I don't really have any say in things like jewelry."

"Fair enough." Luna let go of her and shrugged. "It’s a bit of a shame, though. If your family can afford a car like that, they could spend enough money to make you a star."

Willow smiled and walked side-by-side with her toward the building. "I'll probably go back home to develop my career later. The competition isn't as high there; I don't need to throw money at it."

Luna couldn't understand her logic. "I'm different. I want to marry into a super-wealthy family and be a rich socialite for the rest of my life."

"Speaking of which," she teased, nudging Willow, "could you introduce your uncle to me before I get married? If I can date a hottie like that, I won't have any regrets even if I end up with an ugly guy later."

Willow dodged her while answering, "My relationship with him is just... like that. Also, I’m living with the Old Master now, so I won't be seeing him."

"Eh?" Luna sighed. "What a disappointment."

She took out her phone and navigated to her gallery, sighing at a photo she had saved from the forum. "I really thought I’d have a chance with him."

Willow glanced at it, and her almond eyes narrowed slightly.

It was a photo of the day her uncle came to school to support her.

The man looked cold and handsome, his posture tall and straight.

She was beside him, her expression dejected.

Due to the angle of the shot, the moment he raised his hand looked as if he were pulling her into an embrace.

For a split second, Willow felt as if she could smell the unique scent of the man again.

A faint scent of traditional herbs.

Not bitter, but slightly sweet.

"Aha, this photo is great! Watch me Photoshop myself into it."

After a few taps, Willow’s face in the photo was replaced by Luna’s.

"Perfect." She smiled proudly. "Don't say it—we actually look quite good together."

Willow glanced at it instinctively.

A strange emotion seemed to flow through her heart.

Was she... actually missing that man?

No, no, it must be because she hadn't seen him in a while and was worried he would be lonely in the penthouse.

After all, he was her uncle.

Perhaps it was because Luna had mentioned Julian so many times that when Willow walked out of the school gates after class, she thought she saw him.