Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

After her meal, Ivy Sherwood recalled what Nina Scott had said. She really should go get a check-up.

Her period, it seemed, hadn’t come for quite some time now.

’Ivy herself was starting to feel uncertain. If—and it was a big if—that was really the case, what was she going to do...’

「The next day」

Ivy Sherwood rose bright and early and went to the Blackwood Group.

She had an appointment with Caleb Blackwood, so she went straight to his company.

Although she’d had an unpleasant experience here last time, Ivy came prepared. This time, she brought two bodyguards, her presence imposing.

In the office, Caleb Blackwood was not alone. Silas Blackwood was there, too.

This was the first time Ivy had seen Silas since their time at the resort. Compared to before, he seemed to have matured, but he also looked much more haggard. ’It seemed this marriage was truly torturing him.’

The moment Silas Blackwood saw Ivy Sherwood, he couldn’t look away.

Ivy wore a high-collared sweater under a jacket, paired with an A-line skirt. She looked both fashionable and elegant. Her long, wavy hair cascaded down, giving her a poised and graceful air.

Even though she hadn’t revealed her true appearance and was still wearing her old "ugly" disguise, Silas couldn’t help but feel that this face was different now.

He even felt as if Ivy were glowing, so beautiful he couldn’t look away.

Ivy walked in, accompanied by another person. Her two bodyguards followed close behind, their arms crossed, looking quite intimidating.

Ivy said, "There was an incident here last time, so I’m being a bit more cautious. Since we’re here to discuss business, let’s begin."

Her demeanor was strictly professional; she didn’t spare Silas a single glance.

Silas felt a pang, struck by how much things had changed. ’I’ve been fantasizing this whole time,’ he thought. ’What if I hadn’t ruined our engagement ceremony? What if I had just quickly gotten engaged to Ivy, and married her? My life would be so different. It definitely wouldn’t be like this—this suffocating life where I dread going home to see Anna Nash’s face every day. I still have feelings for Ivy. Even now, the sight of her makes my heart flutter. I used to look down on her, but now I realize she’s become someone completely out of my reach.’

His lips parted as if to say something to Ivy, but he didn’t know what.

Caleb Blackwood, on the other hand, was all business. He produced a contract and said, "This is the share transfer agreement. Have a look."

Ivy handed it directly to her legal counsel, who was standing behind her, and had him review the contract. Only after he confirmed there were no issues did Ivy sign her name.

Since Caleb Blackwood had already paid a deposit and the contract was legally binding, she wasn’t worried he would try to back out of the payment.

After signing the papers, their business was concluded, yet Ivy showed no intention of leaving just yet.

She crossed her legs and folded her arms across her chest. She leaned back against the sofa with a casual air, but her languid posture radiated the powerful aura of a boss.

"Given the long-standing relationship between the Sherwood and Blackwood families, I’ll still call you Uncle Blackwood. There’s something I want to ask you. My mother owned a Jade Pendant. Do you have it?"

"I do." Caleb Blackwood admitted it without hesitation.

Ivy had thought he would deny it. Silas, on the other hand, was confused. "Dad, what Jade Pendant?"

"Since it belonged to my mother, shouldn’t you return it to me, Uncle Blackwood?"

"Impossible! Ivy, if you think you’re getting it back, you can forget it!"

"Why not? It belonged to my mother. It’s only right that I get it back. Unless... is there something about that Jade Pendant that makes it so important to you?" Ivy stared at him.

Caleb Blackwood was a veteran of the business world, having clawed his way up over many years. His gaze alone was intimidating, and few people dared to meet his eyes.

Previously, his stare would have made Ivy’s scalp tingle with apprehension, but not anymore. Now, she met his gaze head-on, without a hint of fear. In fact, it was Caleb who was startled, finding her eyes surprisingly sharp.

’It seems that Quentin Blackwood really knows how to train someone.’

Caleb fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter. "HAHAHA! You’ve been with Quentin for so long, and he hasn’t told you?"

"Told me what?" Ivy frowned.

"That marrying you, and having your marriage certificate and the Jade Pendant, would grant access to a vast sum of money. A fortune larger than you can possibly imagine."

"What?!" Ivy and Silas exclaimed in unison, both stunned.

Silas was dumbfounded. ’How did I not know about this?’

"Are you telling the truth?" Ivy asked, unsure if she could trust Caleb’s words.

"Of course. It’s the fortune your mother left for you. If you don’t believe me, I can give you an address. Go ask at the notary’s office. It’s true I always wanted you to marry Silas—it was to get my hands on that money. But in the end, it just wasn’t meant to be for you two."

’So that was the truth. No wonder she could never figure it out—why Caleb had been so desperate to force her into the marriage, even resorting to using her mother’s ashes as leverage, when she thought she had nothing to offer. This explained everything. He wanted to take that money all for himself.’

"Quentin knows about this, too," Caleb said bluntly.

He was so smart; it was impossible that he hadn’t figured it out. Perhaps he knew about your secret from the moment he arrived in Lustre. Why else would he have gotten close to you?

Ivy’s brow furrowed. ’Quentin knows about this, too?’

’She couldn’t completely trust Caleb’s words. But if it were true, she would have to go back and ask Quentin about it herself.’

Caleb sneered and continued, "Did you think Quentin got together with you for no reason? You don’t actually believe he’s in love with you, do you?"

"You don’t have to try to drive a wedge between us," Ivy said calmly. "DG Group is huge. Quentin isn’t short on cash."

"Quentin may not be short on cash, but there are things other than money that he might be interested in," Caleb continued, baiting her.

Even if he couldn’t have it, he would never let Quentin get it.

What he wanted to see was Quentin and Ivy having a complete falling-out.

"Like what?" Ivy asked.

Caleb shrugged, spreading his hands. "I’m not sure of the specifics. But in any case, there’s definitely something he wants. I’ve told you before, don’t think so highly of Quentin. He’s no saint."

"When he decides to deceive someone, he leaves no openings. He has no sincerity whatsoever—he’s a master of disguise. You’re no match for him. Even I’m not."

"But it seems his methods have been quite successful. You trust him completely, don’t you? Ivy, don’t be a fool. Right now, I’m the one looking out for your best interests."

Caleb’s goal was to plant a seed of doubt in Ivy’s mind. She might trust Quentin now, but what about later?

"I don’t care what his motives are. If you’re really looking out for me, then shouldn’t you return the Jade Pendant?" Ivy had no interest in hearing Caleb’s theatrics; she just wanted her mother’s possession back.

"What’s the hurry? I’ll keep it safe for you for now. When you finally wake up and see the truth, you’ll thank me for it."