As soon as their skin touched, Rainer felt an electric shock run through his chest, and his expression darkened instantly. Without hesitation, he grabbed his hand away from Willow's grasp.
Willow 's unpreparedness for his sudden movement caused her to exhale slowly and in surprise. She stared at him with wide eyes. Her silence was filled with disbelief.
The confusion in Willow's eyes triggered an indescribable pain in Rainer's heart.
Clutching his fists, he could still feel the softness of her palm imprinted on the back of his hand.
She looked at him, her mouth slightly open as if she wanted to speak, then stopped, looking confused and unsure of how to react.
It was clear from his demeanor that he might have taken her touch as an insult.
Pressing his lips tightly together, Rainer looked away, his voice sounding stiff as he explained. "I'm not used to physical contact. I'm sorry."
Her expression softened as she realized the situation.
His defenses were gone, his sense of security so fragile that he instinctively stepped back from her touch.
Rainer looked away, trying to stay calm, and muttered, "You can go."
Willow stopped, her words stuck on her lips, unable to come out.
She understood that Rainer wouldn't easily warm up or accepted her so easily, especially since their acquaintance was still so new.
She herself felt the lingering awkwardness about their marriage, a sentiment she suspected was even more complicated for someone who had always been protected and nurtured like him.
With that awareness, she accepted the situation very quickly.
Choosing not to press the issue, she nodded slowly, stepped out, and gently closed the door behind her, leaving him in the solitude he clearly needed.
After Willow left, he finally felt relieved; he exhaled deeply, a pang of guilt hitting his chest. He massaged the bridge of his nose; the rare headache was beginning to set in. He was confused—how could such a small action from her be enough to make him losing control?
It felt like a new sensation he had never experienced before, and it was enough to leave him unsettled and confused.
He always valued his ability to be independent and think logically, but now he felt something disturbed and unusual within himself.
If this disturbance continued, he feared what might happen next. He hated the sensation of losing control that was emerging at this moment.
Lost in thought, he finally decides on a brief distraction. It's crucial right now because he happens to need some luck. The critical situation at his company demands his immediate attention, providing the perfect excuse to escape Willow's unsettling influence.
With a firm resolve, he slips out of the golden villa, followed by a line of staff.
***
In the days that followed, Willow noticed Rainer's conspicuous absence.
Worry gnawed at her, prompting her to ask the butler about Rainer's whereabouts.
With a reassuring smile, the butler replied, "Mr. Stuart is buried under a mountain of work. Mrs. Stuart, you have no need to worry about him."
Reflecting on this, she realized that Rainer was likely overwhelmed by his efforts to settle his mounting debts, which amounted to millions of dollars. She thought to herself that her husband was undoubtedly exhausted.
She decided not to add to Rainer's burden; she chose to shift her focus to her own urgent need—finding a job.
With enthusiasm, she began carefully crafting her resume and scouring job listings. She was determined to make a meaningful change.
Finally, the day arrived when she received an unexpected interview invitation from Stars Vision Company.
Stars Vision is no ordinary company. It is a world-renowned technology giant that quickly entered the stock market under the guidance of its mysterious founder. Within a few years, the value of Stars Vision's shares skyrocketed past the hundred billion dollar mark, propelling its founder to become the richest person in the world.
However, despite all the fame and wealth, the founder of Stars Vision remains a shadowy figure, shrouded in secrecy.
Nows day, no one has ever caught a glimpse of this mysterious founder.
She was overjoyed, confident in her luck for being considered for a position at such a prestigious company.
She invested every ounce of her energy into preparing for the interview, determined to secure the job that promised a steady salary.
She envisioned this opportunity as a stepped stone toward a brighter, more stable future for thier.
However, as she was on her way to the Stars Vision headquarters, a loud explosion shook the air.
Suddenly, a luxury car appeared, collided with her car with devastated force.
Blammm...
Willow's heart was filled with frustration; her days were ruined by the misfortune of a car accident while she was on her way to an important job interview.
However, there was no time to dwell on her disappointment. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and exited the car.
With a somber expression, she moved to inspect the rear of her car, only to find a significant dent in the bumper— her car was severely damaged!
From the luxury car behind, a young man emerged quickly, his face filled with guilt and regret. He approached her and spoke earnestly. "I'm truly sorry, ma'am. It was completely unintentional. Please, let me cover the damage."
With a swift motion, he took out a checkbook and wrote his name on the check, "I'm Collin Humphrey. " he continued, extending the check toward her. "Please fill in the amount needed for repairs, or replacement if necessary. If you encounter any issues, don't hesitate to contact me."
For a moment, her eyes gazed sadly at her old car, a wave of nostalgia briefly overwhelming her. The car, though merely a collection of metal and wires, had been her loyal companion through countless journeys over the years.
Collin offered the signed check along with his business card, asking politely, "May I ask your name…?"
"Willow Stuart," she replied softly.
Hearing her words, a fleeting memory suddenly flashed through Collin's mind. Quickly, he removed his sunglasses, his gaze sharpening as he studied the woman's face more closely.
Indeed, this was the same Willow he knew from Rainer's investigation. The image of her was unmistakable, exactly matching the file he had seen.
How ironic that he had met Rainer's new wife on the very day he had married her.
Collin's sharp gaze fixed on her, making her feel uneasy. She took a few steps back and asked with a hint of suspicion, "Why are you staring at me like that?"
A tingle of curiosity arose within Collin as he muttered to himself, "How could I not be curious about the woman who caused Rainer to lose a billion dollars?"