The men ordered cocktails while Willow selected a glass of wine, but Casper stuck with water, wanting to maintain absolute mental clarity. As they ordered lunch and settled into conversation, he listened with growing interest to the easy flow of personal updates, professional gossip, and genuine concern for Willow's recent security issues.
"So this stalking situation is real?" Nathan asked, his expression growing serious. "When you first mentioned it, I thought maybe you were just being overly cautious."
"Unfortunately, it's very real," Willow replied. "Casper's company has installed a comprehensive security system, and he'll be staying close until after the trip to Kansas City."
Christopher studied Casper with the assessing gaze of someone accustomed to evaluating potential threats and allies. "What's your professional assessment of the situation?"
"Someone has been conducting surveillance on Ms. Thorton for weeks," Casper replied carefully. "Gifts had been mailed directly to her home, yet were now left there and not by a delivery service. The pattern of behavior suggests escalation, which makes professional protection a necessary precaution."
Both men’s eyes widened, and Casper felt the dynamics around the table change. While they had been polite, he felt their surprise that Willow had him sit at the table instead of off to the side. Now, he wondered if they appreciated his presence or resented it.
The conversation shifted to business as Nathan outlined a new screenplay opportunity that Christopher had already begun negotiating. Casper was continually impressed by Willow's intelligence and business acumen as she asked thoughtful questions about creative control, production timeline, and financial terms. This was a side of her he hadn't seen before… confident, shrewd, completely in command of her professional destiny.
"The studio is offering a significant upfront payment plus backend participation if the film performs well," Nathan explained. "Christopher has already negotiated approval rights for the director and lead casting."
"What about the production company?" Willow asked. "I want to make sure we're working with people who understand the material's emotional core, not just its commercial potential."
After some detailed discussion, Nathan glanced at his watch and sighed with obvious regret. "I hate to cut this short, but I have a meeting with another client across town." He stood and embraced Willow again, shaking Casper's hand with genuine warmth. "Take care of her," he murmured. Casper heard the protective concern underlying the casual words.
After Nathan departed, Christopher's demeanor shifted slightly, becoming more serious and focused. "There's one other business matter I wanted to discuss with you, Willow. It concerns Max Sterling."
Willow's reaction was immediate as her chin jerked back. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open in obvious surprise. "Max?"
Casper's attention sharpened, his gaze moving between Christopher's grim expression and Willow's shocked face. "Who is Max Sterling?"
"My college boyfriend from twelve years ago," Willow said, her voice carrying a mixture of disbelief and growing irritation. She turned back to Christopher. "The fact that you're bringing him up suggests he's not just trying to catch up for old times' sake."
"He's been trying to reach you through Nathan, claiming you stole his ideas for your recent screenwriting success. He wants to discuss what he calls 'unfinished business' regarding collaborative work you did together."
"That snake!" Willow's voice rose slightly before she caught herself and glanced around the restaurant. She leaned forward, her voice dropping to an angry whisper. "We dated during my junior and senior years at Columbia. Yes, we co-wrote a couple of screenplays, but neither ever went anywhere. I didn't use anyof that material in my professional work, so there's nothing to steal."
Christopher raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Legally, he has no recourse. The collaborative work you did was never optioned or produced, and according to your academic records, you received joint credit for the course requirements. He can't retroactively claim ownership of your independent professional success."
While Christopher continued to reassure Willow that Max Sterling posed no legal threat, Casper was already composing a message to the LSIMT team. If her former boyfriend was now making overt claims and causing professional disruption, it wasn't a large leap to imagine him escalating to more underhanded tactics.
The lunch that had begun with such a pleasant professional discussion had taken a decidedly darker turn, and Casper wondered how many other ghosts from Willow's past might be stirring up trouble now that her career had reached new heights of success.
15
As they exited the restaurant and stepped into the hotel's marble-appointed lobby, Casper's attention was immediately drawn to a man with a professional camera positioned near the entrance. The photographer made no attempt at discretion. His telephoto lens was aimed directly at them as he fired off a rapid series of shots.
"Willow! Willow Thorton!" the man called out, lowering his camera to reveal a tanned face that spoke of years spent chasing subjects through less-than-ideal conditions. His bushy dark hair was shot through with gray and swept back from his face. The lines emanating from his eyes deepened as he grinned. And his voice was filled with persistent energy, marking him as someone who didn't give up easily.
Willow's entire posture shifted, her shoulders squaring as her professional smile slipped into place. "Hello, Trevor."
So this was Trevor Ashworth. Casper positioned himself slightly closer to Willow, his body language making it clear that any approach would have to go through him first. The photographer seemed to take note of this development but showed no signs of backing down.
"I was hoping we could sit down for a proper interview," Trevor said, his tone carrying the practiced charm of someone accustomed to talking his way past barriers. "I'm working on a documentary project about former child stars. What was it like? Your transition to a very successful adult career. The kind of piece that several networks have expressed serious interest in."
"I appreciate your interest, Trevor, but I'm not participating in any documentary projects at this time," Willow replied with polite firmness. Her voice remained pleasant, but Casper could see the tension in the way she held herself.
"Come on, Willow. I covered your whole journey back in the day ofRiverside High. I was there documenting your story when other photographers were just looking for scandal." Trevor's voice took on an almost pleading quality. "I've always tried to protect your narrative, to show the real person behind the celebrity image."
"And I've always appreciated your professionalism," she said, though something in her tone suggested their history was more complicated than simple mutual respect. "But my answer remains the same. I'm not interested in revisiting that period of my life publicly."
Trevor raised his camera again, snapping several more shots despite her obvious discomfort. "What about just a few quotes? Something about your transition from acting to screenwriting? Your fans would love to know how you've evolved as an artist.”
"Trevor, please." Willow's patience was clearly wearing thin. "I've given you my answer."
