Chapter 316: Abandon Quentin Blackwood, Be My Woman
Ivy Sherwood checked the time. It was already past ten.
This left Ivy Sherwood with no choice. Elijah Hawthorne was clearly targeting her; using her friends was just an excuse, same as last time.
She couldn’t drag Nina Scott into this for no reason. Besides, the Scott Family was probably no match for Elijah Hawthorne. They wouldn’t risk offending him for Nina’s sake, which would only lead to more trouble.
However...
Since she had promised Quentin Blackwood she wouldn’t eat with other men, Ivy Sherwood knew she had to let him know.
So, Ivy Sherwood called Quentin Blackwood to explain the situation.
Quentin Blackwood didn’t seem surprised. "Don’t be afraid," he said. "He won’t do anything to you."
"How can you be so sure?"
’What if Elijah Hawthorne is just taking advantage of Quentin’s absence to cause trouble?’
The previous incident at the club had been resolved without any further trouble, so Ivy hadn’t told Quentin about it.
"After all these years, I know him well enough. He has his principles, and he’s extremely well-informed. It would be out of character for him *not* to come after you."
Sometimes, your greatest rival is the one who knows you best.
Just as Elijah Hawthorne, in turn, understood Quentin Blackwood through and through.
His relationship with Ivy had never been a secret. It would be strange if someone like Elijah Hawthorne, who loved to stir the pot, *didn’t* go after her.
"What if he tries to force me to do something I don’t want to, or threatens me?"
"Then call me. I’ll take care of him."
"Okay!" With his assurance, Ivy felt more confident.
’It was just Elijah Hawthorne. It wasn’t like he was going to eat her alive.’
Ivy Sherwood looked at the address. It was almost time, so she drove over.
Ivy arrived on the dot, reaching the private room at exactly twelve o’clock.
Elijah Hawthorne was alone in the private room, the table already laden with food.
When Ivy Sherwood entered, Elijah Hawthorne glanced at his watch. "Miss Sherwood, you’re certainly punctual."
Ivy sat down opposite him. "I didn’t expect you to be here so early, Mr. Hawthorne. Is there something you wanted to see me about?"
"I hear the food here is quite good. Care to try some?" Elijah Hawthorne was in no hurry, giving no hint of his intentions.
"I grew up in Lustre. I’ve eaten here many times. You should be the one to enjoy it, Mr. Hawthorne."
"Why so hostile, Miss Sherwood? Did Quentin Blackwood say something bad about me? Has he given you the wrong impression?" Elijah Hawthorne’s eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on his handsome face.
"He’s not like you. He didn’t say anything!"
"Not like me?" Elijah Hawthorne scoffed. "We’ve only met twice, Miss Sherwood. Do you already think you know what kind of person I am?"
Ivy replied calmly, "At least he wouldn’t ask me to steal confidential information from you."
Elijah Hawthorne’s smile deepened. "Oh, he’d love to. The question is, could you get anything from me?"
Ivy was left speechless.
He continued, "Or are you, Miss Sherwood, extending an olive branch? Are you thinking of abandoning Quentin Blackwood to become my woman?"
"If you leave Quentin and come to me, I could consider giving you some projects. I guarantee I’ll treat you far better than he does."
"Mr. Hawthorne!" Ivy cut him off. "I have no such intention. What’s between you and him has nothing to do with me. If you’re really that capable, then take Quentin Blackwood down fair and square."
"Fair and square? I don’t think anyone’s ever used that word to describe me. Didn’t they tell you I’m a madman? That I stop at nothing to get what I want?"
Ivy frowned. Elijah Hawthorne certainly had an unconventional way of speaking. She still couldn’t figure out what he was really after.
"They did," she said. "But you can’t get to know someone just by listening to rumors."
"Is that so? Then what’s your impression of me?" he asked, his smiling gaze fixed on her.
Though Elijah Hawthorne kept smiling, his smile made Ivy feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Does it matter what I think of you?"
"It doesn’t. I’m just curious what it is about you that attracted Quentin Blackwood."
’Quentin Blackwood... not many people could be considered his rival, and Quentin was number one on that short list.’
’The man was cold-blooded and ruthless, his methods even more vicious than my own, so cold he was practically inhuman. How could he fall for such an ordinary woman?’
’He hadn’t asked Ivy Sherwood out for any particular reason. He was just bored. Now that he was finally in Lustre, he naturally had to find some amusement.’
’As for his collaboration with Joy Sheridan... a minor player like her was in no position to influence his decisions.’
Ivy picked up her chopsticks and began to eat calmly. "You’ll have to ask Quentin about that. If you get an answer, be sure to let me know. I’d like to know myself."
A flicker of genuine interest finally appeared in Elijah Hawthorne’s eyes. ’This woman certainly has guts.’
He’d invited other women to dinners like this before—dinners that were clearly traps—but they had all been scared out of their wits.
Some desperately tried to get his attention, hoping to climb into his bed. Others wanted something from him. Then there were those who just begged him to let them go.
All these women had one thing in common: the look in their eyes was always filled with ulterior motives.
They either saw him as a walking bank or as the King of Hell himself.
But Ivy Sherwood’s gaze was placid and fearless. Her eyes held no fear, nor any desire to cozy up to him to get something out of him.
’And her words... they were rather interesting, too.’
’Having such an interesting plaything around wouldn’t be boring, would it?’
"Aren’t you afraid, Miss Sherwood? Coming here all alone," Elijah Hawthorne watched her with amusement. "Afraid I might do something to you, or that you won’t be walking out of this room?"
Ivy said, "I walked in here perfectly healthy. If I don’t walk out the same way, I imagine that would be rather difficult for you to explain, Mr. Hawthorne."
"If you really wanted to do something, Mr. Hawthorne, you wouldn’t do it yourself. You wouldn’t be sitting here chatting with me. With all the people who work for you, there are a million ways to make someone disappear without a trace, and without it ever leading back to you."
Elijah Hawthorne looked at her. ’She’s different. Truly different.’
’Ugly, maybe, but her mind is sharp.’
In the end, Elijah Hawthorne didn’t actually do anything to Ivy. He just spent the entire time implying that she could "see the light" and switch to his side, for which he would offer excellent terms.
And Ivy’s refusal was just as direct, without a moment’s hesitation.
The meal ended quickly. "Mr. Hawthorne, I have some work to attend to at the office, so I must be going," Ivy said. "Thank you for the wonderful meal."
Elijah Hawthorne made a permissive gesture. "Next time I invite you to dinner, Miss Sherwood, I hope you’ll be a little more forthcoming. I’d rather not have to go through your friends every time, don’t you agree?"
Ivy was surprised. Elijah Hawthorne had invited her to a meal, and it had turned out to be... just a meal. He hadn’t done anything else.
Not wanting to get any more entangled with him, Ivy quickly left the room.
However, after Ivy left, Elijah Hawthorne opened his contacts, found Quentin Blackwood’s name, and sent him a photo...