Chapter 33: Moving Toward Him

On the eve of the school anniversary, Willow Avery finally received her custom-made costume.

The classical dance piece performed by her class was titled Illusory Dream, and it was the opening dance.

Sterling Kingston had asked about the details and entered the campus together with her. "Willa, relax and just dance your best. My seat is quite close to the stage, right in the first row. Whenever you feel nervous, just fix your gaze on Grandpa."

The school anniversary had invited many industry celebrities as well as outstanding alumni.

There was a massive crowd.

Willow's nerves were tightly strung, but listening to Sterling's words, her heart steadied a little.

"Your uncle is coming in a bit too," Sterling continued. "He’s sitting right next to me. You can look at him too."

"Uncle Julian is free?" Willow was quite surprised.

She didn't think Julian Kingston was the type of person who would come to show support.

Furthermore, recently the two of them hadn't had much communication aside from that dance costume.

Their relationship was quite ordinary.

"He has to come even if he has to take leave," Sterling took it for granted. "You're living with me and call him uncle; would it make any sense if he didn't show support?"

The two chatted for a few sentences, and as time was almost up, Willow went to join her class.

The teacher directed them to the backstage area to apply makeup and change clothes.

When Willow emerged wearing her dance costume, everyone's gaze immediately converged on her.

The others' costumes were all in an ink-wash style, but hers was entirely snow-white.

The hemline, embellished with scattered gemstones, glittered brilliantly under the lights, capturing everyone's attention.

"Willow, this must have cost a fortune, right?"

"I'm not sure, Uncle Julian paid the bill."

Willow genuinely didn't know.

Julian likely didn't want her to have a mental burden, so he hadn't told her the price.

"An uncle surely wouldn't be as willing to spend money as a biological dad, right?" a classmate remarked understandingly. "Looking at it this way, Luna’s piece must still be the most expensive. It’s a pity she isn't the center, otherwise we could see how magnificent her costume is and broaden our horizons."

Luna Hayes poked her head out while having her makeup applied. "What is there to compare? I’m Willow’s future aunt; don't try to drive a wedge between us."

"Luna, you've misunderstood, I didn't mean it that way."

The classmate, realizing she had spoken out of turn, hurried over to Luna’s side to apologize.

The clothes she was currently wearing had been gifted by Luna.

Moreover, in these social circles, resources and connections mattered the most.

A consensus had already been reached in the class that no one could afford to offend Luna Hayes.

"It’s fine," Luna waved her hand, then said giggling to Willow, "Hurry up and come get your makeup done."

As Willow approached her side, Luna urgently grabbed her hand and asked, "Is your uncle coming today?"

"Yes."

The moment Willow's words landed, Luna let out an excited cheer. "Makeup artist, make me extra beautiful. In a moment, I'm going to woo a man!"

...

After a lengthy series of speeches, the evening gala began.

Willow's class took the stage.

Sitting below the stage, Sterling Kingston spotted Willow at a single glance.

Excitedly, he pulled at the newly arrived Julian. "Julian, look quickly, it’s Willa."

Julian looked toward the stage.

As the mist rose, Willow stood clothed in an ancient-style dress. The scattered diamonds on the hemline perfectly matched the theme of this dance, making it look dreamlike and illusory.

With a gentle swing of her long sleeves, her dance steps fluttered gracefully.

She made it impossible for anyone to look away.

He pulled out his phone and took a photograph.

Around him, murmurs of discussion arose from the audience: "This center has both the looks and the figure. It wouldn't surprise me if she enters the entertainment industry."

"Listen to yourself. What if she doesn't care about money? It’s entirely possible she wants to focus solely on developing her dance career."

"Do you think everyone is like Jace Miller? Directors have come in person to invite him, and they still can't move him."

"Eh? You mentioning him reminds me—isn't this the exact Willow Avery that Jace is pursuing? Campus romance is wonderful; they match each other so well in looks."

Sterling caught some of the gossip along the way.

He couldn't help but turn his head and ask, "Jace Miller? Who is called Jace Miller?"

He had to keep a close eye on anyone pursuing Willa.

"That one right there," since those sitting in the first row were all high-status figures, the two speakers truthfully pointed toward Jace. "Third row on the right side, holding flowers in his arms."

"What is he doing?" Sterling saw him. "Is he planning to give flowers to Willow Avery?"

Before the two could answer, Julian had already stood up and started walking in Jace's direction.

Sterling: ?

Before he even had a chance to follow him, he watched his usually aloof son grip the wrist of that Jace Miller fellow.

This time, the sky had truly collapsed.

Willa had guessed right.

Julian liked men.

Ambulance, he needed oxygen...

...

Jace Miller had indeed intended to present the flowers.

Lately, Willow had been busy with the school anniversary, and he had been busy as well; they hadn't had a chance to meet.

Today, they could finally have a proper conversation.

He had specially bought fresh flowers, intending to give them to her backstage when she finished.

He had it all planned out—if Willow didn't accept them, he would use the excuse that he also had a performance coming up next and ask her to hold them for him.

It would be completely natural.

Just as he was about to stand up and head over, someone suddenly sat down beside him.

Gripping his arm, the person used sheer force to pin him down into his seat.

Angrily lifting his head, he couldn't help but be surprised. "Uncle?"

"For Willow?" Julian went straight to the point.

"Yes," Jace was exceptionally respectful toward Willow’s elder, since they would have to interact in the future. He said with a smile, "I plan to try what she said—cultivating an emotional foundation."

Julian's gaze turned cold. "I’ll give you a chance to go abroad for advanced studies. I will cover all of your expenses."

Jace froze. "What do you mean by this? Just to stop Willow from dating?"

This reason shouldn't be enough to send him out of the country.

Or...

Thinking of another possibility, his eyes widened. "She is your niece!"

Julian spoke calmly, "What of it?"

Jace was indignant. Just as he was about to speak, a person on his other side pulled at him.

"Didn't you look at the seating list? That’s the Kingston family, the Kingstons of Riverford. The school leadership are all incredibly polite to them; what right do you have to challenge him?"

"Besides, haven't you always wanted to go abroad for advanced studies but couldn't because you lacked money? With such a grand opportunity laid out in front of you, why not go?" The boy shrugged. "I think you ought to thank Willow and this uncle of hers, otherwise how many lifetimes would it take to realize your dream?"

Jace slumped into his chair.

Only after a long while did he speak: "I choose to go abroad."

"Mm."

Julian stood up, took the flowers from his arms, and threw them directly into the trash can.

It didn't matter that she wouldn't agree to him.

By blocking every single path, she would eventually understand who the only choice was.

Julian went to the backstage area.

He located the preparation room for Willow's class.

When he knocked on the door, the young girl's anxious voice drifted out from inside: "Luna, my hair is caught, hurry up and come in to help me. No one else is around, so I can only trouble you for help."

Julian assumed her hair was caught in a hairpiece and, without thinking much, twisted the doorknob open.

When he entered, Willow had her back turned to him.

Her upper body was only wearing a single binder.

Her lower body was in an underskirt.

Subconsciously, he turned around to leave.

"It hurts so much, Luna, hurry over here," Willow let out a soft hiss of pain. "The zipper of this binder is on the side, and my hair is tangled into it so I can't turn my head..."

Julian's footsteps halted.

He walked slowly toward her.