He flashed her a mischievous smile and let his intense gaze soften slightly. Spontaneously, he spoke up, offered her. "Since your car has suffered some damage, why don't you join me in my car? Where are you going? I'd be happy to give you a ride."
Willow narrowed her eyes, carefully observing the carefree smirk on his face. She sensed that the man was hiding something.
Captivating features were often appealing, but those with hidden motives were not, and she had learned to handle such situations with caution. She wouldn't be easily fooled, especially not with such an important interview ahead. Her hopes were high, and there was no time for distractions like this.
"I appreciate the offer, but I can handle my car myself. Besides, it was still working condition." Willow declared that, then turned and walk away.
Collin stood there, surprised by her swift refusal. For a moment, he questioned his own charm.
He hurried to intercept her, saying, "Hold on, please, wait a moment. You still picked up the check and my card. Don't forget to reach out later."
While speaking, he attempted to hand the items over to Willow.
Willow firmly refused, quickly dodging away, her voice cold and firm. "I suggest you refrain from such inappropriate thoughts. I am happily married, and my husband and I are deeply in love."
Her gaze pierced the distance between them as she dismissed the check with a flick of her finger. "Your money doesn't give you special privileges here. Leave now, or I'll call the police."
Collin was startled by Willow's sharp reprimand; he was stunned and couldn't do anything, no longer ostructing her path.
With steady breaths, Willow slid into her car, her movements swift and precise.
She knew very well the importance of maintaining an indifferent facade—showing even the slightest hint of emotion would make her vulnerable.
Collin watched Willow drive away, his initial shock turning to amusement. He walked back to his car, a grin spreading across his face.
As he started the engine, he turned to the passenger in the back seat, his tone cheerful.
"Well, Rainer, you like that, don't you? We just met your wife on the way to the office. Did you hear her?"
Rainer stared at Collin with a blank look, "What did Willow say?"
Colin's eyebrows widened, his eyes sparkling with a hint of teasing as he echoed Willow's earlier words. "She really thought I liked her and told me she was married and they were in love."
His excitement peaked, "Did you see that, Rainer? Straight from her mouth. In her eyes, you're the one with the flaw, right? Yet she didn't hesitate to marry you outside that church. Strange, isn't it? And now, almost a week after your wedding, and you're already in love? Seriously?"
After pausing for a moment, he continued, "Rainer, we've been friends for over two decades, and you kept this big news from me? Is what she said true? Are you telling me that you've fallen in love with her this quickly?
Collin's relentless chatter made Rainer frown. "Fallen in love with her? That's ridiculous, stop it."
However, Collin just laughed, even louder, "Yeah, yeah, … it's just she talking. Someone as cold-hearted as you falling in love so quickly? Impossible, but Willow? She's only been your wife for a few days and she's already fallen in love with you."
Collin furrowed his brows, completely confused, "Honestly, compared to you, a wealthy young man with a disability—here I am, a single, fairly handsome guy, and not to mention, wealthy. Why didn't she fall for me? How could she ignore my charm? It doesn't make sense."
"Are you done?" Rainer asked, his eyebrows furrowed in impatience. "I'm not interested in anything related to her. If you keep delaying and hindering the work, I won't forgive you."
His eyes pierced the air around him with a dangerous gaze.
Aware of Rainer's firm attitude and focus on business, Collin had no choice but to suppress his curiosity and start the engine.
A thick silence immediately enveloped the car.
Rainer lay in the back seat, his gaze drifting out the window.
He was lost in thought.
He had made it clear he didn't care about anything involving her.
Yet for some reason, Willow's words haunted his thoughts.
Willow knew he was a disabled young man, yet she accepted him as her husband without being swayed by Collin's attempts to seduce her.
Could he really be ignoring Collin's charm?
As he pondered this, a smile spread across his usually stern face, softening his entire expression.
....
Willow was worried that the accident had ruined her chance of arriving at the interview on time.
Miraculously, no other incidents occurred after the accident. She arrived at Stars Vision company on time.
With a sense of relief, Willow sat down at the interview location provided by the company.
Around her, a crowd of people had already begun to gather outside the interview location.
"Have you heard? I heard that the CEO of Stars Vision is likely to conduct the interview today," murmured someone close to her, their voice soft, almost a whisper.
The other candidates sitting nearby couldn't hide their surprise. "Is that true?" they asked curiously. "If that's the case, we need to take this interview very seriously," said one of the candidates.
Willow's curiosity was piqued.
The CEO of Stars Vision? Could he really be the mysterious founder who single-handedly catapulted Stars Vision company to the pinnacle of success?
As far as she knew about the CEO of Stars Vision, her knowledge was limited to magazine clippings she found online, and she had never met the owner of the store where she wanted to work. She remembered wanted worked with him.
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence. "He's here! He's arrived! The CEO of Stars Vision has just entered?"
As some employees passed by, they immediately greeted the man who had just entered. "Good morning, Mr. Humphrey."
Driven by an uncontrollable curiosity, she craned her neck and managed to catch a glimpse of the man who was now the center of everyone's attention. A group had formed a tight circle around him as he walked forward.
Willow managed to catch a glimpse of the CEO's face. The next moment, she was utterly shocked. She stood frozen, completely unable to move or speak.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she furrowed her brow.
Nearby, surrounded by the gathering crowd, stood Collin, the same man who had once annoyed her in a car accident!
What a surprising coincidence?