Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 262

At those words, Martha finally fell silent.

On this point, mother and daughter were in complete agreement. Everything else could be negotiated, but being the other woman was where they drew the line. Destroying someone else's relationship or interfering with their happiness was absolutely out of the question.

Martha couldn't help but sigh. "What a shame. I really thought the two of you were a perfect match."

Willow didn't engage with the comment, smoothly changing the subject. "I'm going back to work tomorrow, so I won't be able to visit as often. Take good care of yourself, and let me know immediately if you feel unwell."

"Don't worry," Martha replied. "Focus on your job. I'm doing fine. The doctor even said my recovery is going exceptionally well."

"I know, but you still need to be careful."

"I will. Don't worry."

The next day.

Since it was the first day back after the holidays, Willow gathered her team for a morning meeting to review project timelines and hash out the details.

The meeting had been scheduled well in advance for ten o'clock—a very reasonable time that allowed everyone to settle in. Yet, even with the late start, someone still managed to be late.

When ten o'clock rolled past with no sign of Clarence Vance, Willow asked a colleague to track him down. The first few calls went straight to voicemail. When someone finally picked up, Clarence's voice slurred with the undeniable heavy weight of a hangover.

He was practically incoherent, immediately barking curses into the receiver. "Who the hell is this? Calling me first thing in the morning to ruin my sleep! Don't you know how late I was up last night?"

The colleague didn't know, but Willow understood perfectly.

Ever since she joined Merit Biotech, Clarence had despised her. He had thrown countless obstacles in her path, both openly and in the shadows. Now, he wasn't even trying to hide it, screaming insults over the phone. She could only imagine the horrific things he was saying behind her back.

"It's fine. It's not your fault," Willow said, soothing her distressed team member before seamlessly shifting gears. "Let's start the meeting."

Afterward, a few of Willow's closer subordinates, furious on her behalf over Clarence's phone outburst, offered to report him to the People & Culture Department.

Willow stopped them. Clarence had definitely crossed a line today, but it wasn't a fatal blow. Even if P&C intervened, the worst he'd get was a formal warning—nothing that would actually threaten his position.

Instead, she instructed them to quietly document his unauthorized absence. They weren't going to strike yet. She just needed them to keep a very close eye on him and report any further erratic behavior directly to her.