Kiss the Serpent's Fangs

Chapter 7 To Irritate Him

"I need you to attend economics lectures in your spare time and take notes for me," Willow said, her tone calm but firm.

Celeste blinked in surprise. "That's all? Just that?"

"Yes, but I'll need you to compile those notes weekly and go over the difficult parts with me. I don't have the time to keep up with the course myself. If you can manage it, I'll cover your monthly living expenses. The amount won't be any less than what you're making from your part-time jobs."

Celeste hesitated, finding such a generous offer unbelievable. Could something this simple really earn her enough to live on?

Willow noticed the doubt flickering in her eyes and added, "I'm not short on money. Economics just happens to interest me. And really, I have no reason to deceive you, do I?"

Although it all felt a little strange, Celeste had to admit that Willow's logic was sound.

"Is there anything else I can do?" she asked after a moment.

Taking so much money for such a small task left her feeling uneasy, and she wanted to repay the favor by doing more.

Willow smiled, tilting her head as if in thought. "Well, you could aim to earn the certificate you mentioned earlier. Who knows? If I ever start my own company, I might need your expertise. Consider it my investment in your future."

"Why me?" Celeste asked, her voice soft but curious.

Willow chuckled lightly. "Why you? Good question. Maybe it's fate. So, are you going to let me down?"

Celeste couldn't explain why, but something about Willow made her want to believe her.

Regardless of whether her intentions were sincere or not, this opportunity was solving one of Celeste's biggest challenges.

"I won't let you down," she said firmly, her tone brimming with determination.

Willow raised an eyebrow, caught slightly off guard by Celeste's earnestness.

It amused her, but deep down, sincerity was the one thing she trusted the least.

Willow's offer was calculated—a perfect balance of mutual benefit and respect. She framed the deal in a way that preserved Celeste's dignity and erased her doubts by emphasizing their shared age and common ground.

After their meal, Willow handed Celeste a bank card.

"I'll transfer five thousand into this account every month. Spend it on fun, food, or self-improvement—whatever you like. Just make sure you handle what I've asked."

Later that evening, after parting ways with Celeste, Willow messaged Sebastian before catching a cab back to her house in Amethyst Bay.

It had been almost a month since she became Julian's lover.

Most of Julian's women didn't last more than three months, and Willow knew it was time to up the ante.

The day of the gala arrived.

Willow dressed to kill, her outfit meticulously chosen to turn heads. Julian personally came to escort her to the event, his presence magnetic as always.

As they stepped out of the car, Julian placed a hand on her arm. "Those heels must be torture. Hold onto me."

Willow knew this was just a product of his polished manners. It wasn't real concern, and she wasn't naive enough to be swept away by his charm.

Still, she played her part, offering him a radiant smile. "Then I'll count on you to take care of me."

They entered the venue together, arm in arm. But it wasn't long before Julian was drawn away by business associates to a lounge on the second floor.

Willow, knowing her place, stayed behind in the main hall, observing the crowd.

Most of the attendees were faces she recognized from research. A few, like Theo, she knew personally. Others, like Alaric Westwood, were relics of her past.

She touched her face absentmindedly, a silent reassurance. Her current appearance was unrecognizable compared to her old self. Alaric wouldn't know her, even if they stood face-to-face.

Still, she couldn't resist brushing past him deliberately, as if testing her transformation—or saying goodbye to a former life.

Theo noticed her theatrics and approached with a smirk.

"Greeting an old friend, aren't you?"

Willow turned slightly, avoiding his gaze.

"Just passing by."

Before Theo could reply, a splash of red wine hit her dress.

He stepped back, intrigued, watching as Willow turned to face the culprit—Seraphina Blake.

Seraphina was one of Julian's more persistent admirers and had played a part in driving away many of the women in his life.

But Willow wasn't one of those women who'd run crying to Julian for help.

No, she intended to handle this herself, and she would do it this very night.

She caught Theo's eye briefly before heading toward the restroom.

Seraphina, misinterpreting her retreat, smiled smugly.

'Another one bites the dust,' she thought.

Theo followed Willow, leaning casually against the restroom wall as she dabbed at her dress.

"Just so we're clear, I don't hit women," he said with a shrug,

"And you're Julian Lennox's girl. I don't see how it's my place to get involved."

Willow glanced at him, a small smile curving her lips.

But Theo, who knew her too well, recognized the expression for what it was—a sign she was furious.

"I don't need you to hit anyone," she said smoothly. "Scorpius Syndicate owes you a favor. Cash it in to clean up the mess I'm about to make."

She wasn't just going to retaliate.

She was going to do it in front of everyone, carving her presence firmly into their minds.

But someone had to handle the fallout—Julian certainly wouldn't tolerate being dragged into a mess of her making.

"You know," she added, her tone turning playful, "standing up for me would be the perfect way to irritate him, wouldn't it? I can't imagine you'd pass up that kind of opportunity."