Chapter 42: As If Caught on Fire

The man’s fingertip was warm.

Willow Avery froze instantly.

It wasn't until Luna Hayes, who was sitting next to her, gasped in shock: "Mr. Kingston, what is the meaning of this?"

"Thank you, Uncle Julian," Willow hurriedly took the tissue from Julian Kingston’s hand. "If you hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't even have noticed."

"Mm."

The man gave a shallow response. His finger brushed across her lip as if intentionally or otherwise, and then he withdrew his hand.

Willow bit her lower lip. The corner of her mouth that he had touched felt as if it were caught on fire.

It felt incredibly uncomfortable.

What was her uncle doing?

This was the dining room, and everyone was present.

She didn't dare to look up to investigate. Luna, sitting right beside her, was staring at her with a look of total bewilderment.

"Willow, didn't you say before that your relationship with your uncle was just ordinary?"

Grandpa Sterling said they were on very good terms.

Julian had even wiped her mouth at the dinner table.

In what way did that look ordinary?

Before Willow could even speak, Julian spoke first: "No blood relation, so naturally, it counts as ordinary."

"What?"

Luna was caught off guard.

Immediately realizing her bad manners, she hurriedly apologized.

It was their family matter, so it wasn't right for her to press further. She could only wait until she was alone with Willow to ask.

As dinner was drawing to a close, she flashed a sweet smile and spoke up: "Old Mr. Kingston, may I stay over tonight?"

"Of course." Grandpa Sterling agreed readily. "I'll have someone prepare a guest room for you right away."

"There’s no need to trouble anyone," Luna hooked her arm through Willow’s. "Willow and I are good friends and we want to stay together. Is that okay, Willow?"

She lowered her voice further: "I was even scolded by people at school because I helped delete those forum posts for you. You wouldn't drive me away, would you?"

Willow tightened her palm slightly. "Grandpa Sterling, Luna and I will sleep over at the guest house."

Grandpa Sterling: "Alright."

At this moment, Julian finished his meal, stood up, and walked out of the dining room.

Willow continued chatting with Grandpa Sterling as usual, but suddenly felt a sharp pinch on the inside of her arm from Luna.

Luna was stealing glances out of the corner of her eye in the direction Julian had left, lowering her voice to say, "Willow, your uncle is truly so handsome..."

Hearing this, Willow instinctively looked toward Julian.

He happened to turn his head back at that exact moment.

Their gazes clashed in mid-air.

The man's eyes were dark and deep, just like they had been a few days ago...

Willow hurriedly averted her gaze, pressing down on her rapidly beating heart before continuing her conversation with Grandpa Sterling.

"Grandpa Sterling, what did you just say?"

"I said I originally wanted to take you skiing," Grandpa Sterling set down his chopsticks and took the tea handed over by a servant. "But you have classes and can't spare the time. How about going horseback riding tomorrow to unwind? The Kingston family invested in a stable a while back. Julian happens to be off tomorrow, so I'll have him take you two out to play."

"Great, great!" Luna clapped her hands. "Old Mr. Kingston, you really are a wonderful person!"

Her playful flattery made Grandpa Sterling laugh heartily. "You lively girl, how amusing."

...

As soon as they returned to the bedroom that night, Luna couldn't wait to pull Willow over and ask, "You and your uncle have no blood relation?"

Willow explained the reason, and the look in Luna's eyes shifted.

"Then you... you won't end up with your uncle in the future, right?"

"How could that be possible?"

Willow directly shot it down.

She had never even thought about it.

If he weren't her uncle, perhaps the two of them could have developed a relationship.

But their identities meant that it was destined to have no outcome.

"That's good then," Luna patted her chest. "I thought you guys might completely disregard ethics and social conventions."

She flipped open her phone, pulling up photographs of several outfits to show Willow.

"Help me pick which one is better? I'll have my family send it over later."

Willow looked at her phone screen.

They were all exceptionally sexy clothes.

Off-the-shoulder, leg-baring, and emphasizing the hips.

"Luna, you're planning to...?"

"To seduce your uncle, of course," Luna held her chin, daydreaming out loud. "By tomorrow, he will fall head over heels for me. Oh right, Willow, help me think of a plan—a plan to win your uncle over."

"Um, Luna," Willow hesitated for a moment, asking tentatively, "I mean... if the person you liked accidentally slept with your friend, what would you think?"

Perhaps it was better to confess everything.

That way, Luna would probably stop making these moves.