Boss, Your Ex-Wife is Unreachable Now! novel Chapter 320

Willow stepped into the bar and quickly realized it was one of those basement lounges, all dim lighting and a sweeping, curved staircase. The walls were lined with faux-antique oil paintings, giving the place an air of mysterious, old-world charm.

A live singer was on stage, working the crowd, while clusters of young men and women swayed to the music, completely lost in the beat. Their faces radiated pure enjoyment—they were here for the good times, and nothing else seemed to matter.

Bars like this weren’t really Willow’s scene. The trendy nightlife that so many people her age relished just didn’t appeal to her. She’d much rather unwind in an art gallery, losing herself among canvases with bold ideas and hidden stories, tracing the artist’s thoughts and emotions—now that, to her, was far more interesting.

Gift in hand, Willow headed straight for the private room Zoe had reserved and gave the door a light knock.

Zoe opened it almost instantly, her face lighting up in a broad smile. She grabbed Willow’s arm, pulling her inside with an infectious energy.

As they walked, Zoe turned to the group inside and introduced her enthusiastically. “Everyone, this is my new friend, Willow. She’s here just like you guys tonight—to help me celebrate!”

Willow glanced around. Besides Zoe, there were six other girls and a single guy, all of them looking fresh-faced and unmistakably young.

That lone guy, she guessed, had to be Zoe’s boyfriend—the classic supportive plus-one.

Sure enough, when Zoe got to him in her round of introductions, she slipped her arm around his and beamed at Willow. “Willow, this is my boyfriend, Hamlin. I’ve been wanting you two to meet for ages!”

Hamlin had a gentle, clean-cut look, with glasses perched on his nose and the unassuming style of a college student. He gave Willow a polite nod. “Miss Sheffield, it’s nice to finally meet you. Zoe talks about you all the time.”

“Nice to meet you,” Willow replied, nodding back.

She handed her gift over to Zoe. “Happy birthday, Zoe. Just a little something for you.”

“Thank you!” Zoe let go of Hamlin’s arm to accept the present, her smile bright. She didn’t rush to open it, instead placing it with the growing pile of gifts from her other friends. “I’ll unwrap everything later at home!” she explained, glancing back to Willow with another smile.

Then Zoe patted the seat beside her, inviting Willow to sit.

The girl blinked in surprise. “Graduated? I thought you were still in school with us!”

“Did you find a job yet?” another girl cut in—a short-haired one in chunky black glasses. “I’ve heard from the older students that it’s tough to find work in Kingston City. Everyone wants to stay here after graduation, but the competition is brutal.”

Willow just smiled and shook her head, choosing not to answer.

The girl in glasses sighed. “See? I knew it wasn’t easy. Still, don’t get discouraged! Sure, it’s tough, but there are so many opportunities in a big city like this.”

The conversation continued, the group bouncing around stories and advice, until the mood grew lighter and more relaxed.

Someone even joked, “Hey, are you and Zoe really not related? When you walked in, I could’ve sworn you were her sister!”