Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Silas Blackwood went upstairs. Caleb Blackwood was in the study.

He knocked and entered. "Dad, what Anna Nash did was all her fault. But she only did it because she loves me so much she couldn’t stand Ivy Sherwood’s presence. Besides, she’s carrying a child of the Blackwood family. Please, just give her one more chance."

Caleb Blackwood had been in the study for a long time, staring silently at a bookshelf on the other side of the room.

Silas followed his father’s gaze, but there was nothing unusual about that row of bookshelves.

He thought his father was still angry and continued, "Dad, Anna is pregnant. She can’t go to jail. Please, you have to help."

Caleb still said nothing. Silas’s heart sank; he had always been afraid of his father. When Caleb’s face was stern, he was incredibly imposing.

’Other men his age were already independent and accomplished, but Caleb had never given him any real authority. He had promised over and over that he would work hard, but it seemed Caleb didn’t believe him.’

After a long moment, Caleb finally spoke. "Get out. And bring Sylvia up here."

"Huh?" Silas was confused. "What do you want her for?"

’Was my request too much? Has Father given up on me? But he can’t possibly hand the company over to Sylvia. She doesn’t know the first thing about it—she didn’t even study finance.’

"Just do as you’re told!"

Though Silas didn’t understand, he still went downstairs to find Sylvia.

Sylvia didn’t understand why her father wanted to see her. Both she and Silas were terrified of Caleb, and she rarely ever spoke to him.

’I’ve been on my best behavior lately. I haven’t done anything wrong, have I?’

Sylvia went upstairs apprehensively and entered the study. "Dad, my brother said you were looking for me?"

Caleb looked at her, and Sylvia’s heart inexplicably tightened. She had a bad feeling about this.

"Come here," Caleb said. Only then did Sylvia walk over to him.

Caleb stared into Sylvia’s eyes. Sylvia didn’t dare meet his gaze and could only lower her head.

Caleb remained silent, which only made Sylvia more anxious. "Dad, is there something you want? Please just tell me directly. You’re scaring me."

"Your eyes aren’t pretty," Caleb stated bluntly.

Sylvia froze for a moment. "Dad, what did you say?"

’My eyes aren’t pretty?’

Truthfully, she felt the same way. Despite being a daughter of the Blackwood Family, Sylvia wasn’t the stunningly beautiful type. That was why she always had to dress up meticulously whenever she went to parties.

She was most envious of Cheryl Yates, who was gorgeous and talented. But Cheryl had been acting strange lately, hardly ever going out. Sylvia had no idea what had happened to her.

"I’ve contacted a plastic surgeon for you. A car will pick you up tomorrow," Caleb said, everything already arranged.

"Dad, you want me to get plastic surgery? Why?"

’Does Caleb think I’m ugly too?’

’After all these years, if he really wanted me to get surgery, why not sooner?’

Caleb didn’t answer, and Sylvia started speculating. "Is this for an arranged marriage with someone?"

’In their circle, arranged marriages were a common occurrence. Weren’t Ivy Sherwood and my brother a prime example? Except Ivy was too stupid and got him snatched away by that sly vixen, Anna Nash.’

’Sylvia used to quite like Anna, but after seeing her true colors, she was just disgusted. She was even worse than Ivy!’

"You don’t need to worry about that."

"Dad! I won’t do it! I won’t just marry anyone!"

But Caleb had no patience and simply ordered Sylvia to leave.

Once the study was empty, a look of grim determination appeared in Caleb Blackwood’s eyes.

He took out his phone and pulled up a photo. On the screen was a pair of eyes.

They were beautiful and lively, with long lashes and glistening pupils. They were so stunning it was almost unreal.

If Ivy Sherwood were to see them, she would realize that the eyes in the photo looked remarkably similar to her own.

Caleb stared at the eyes. He remembered that Sylvia was about the same age as Ivy...

...

「The next day」

When Ivy Sherwood woke up, she found herself in someone’s arms, a firm, warm chest right before her eyes.

The sky outside was bright, and sunlight streamed in, illuminating the slightly rumpled white duvet.

It looked like it was probably eight or nine in the morning. For Quentin Blackwood to still be in bed at this hour was truly a rare sight.

Ivy felt that most of the time, Quentin was already out of bed when she woke up—either exercising or already at work.

Ivy shifted slightly. Just like before, her arms felt too heavy to lift, as if her whole body had fallen apart.

’It hadn’t been long since Quentin’s last trip back to Lustre. How did this man always have such inexhaustible energy?’

’But if I hadn’t come yesterday, would another woman be lying in Quentin’s arms right now?’

’To say "another woman" isn’t quite accurate. It would have been Joy Sheridan.’

"What are you thinking about?" The man holding her opened his eyes.

"I’m not thinking about anything!"

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Then why do you look so guilty? Did you do something to betray me?"

"I did not!" ’Everything Ivy did was open and aboveboard.’

"No? Then what about you and Elijah Hawthorne...?"

"There’s nothing between me and Elijah Hawthorne! You, on the other hand... If I hadn’t come last night, would Joy Sheridan have gotten her way?"

Ivy was being completely serious, but Quentin just let out a soft chuckle.

She gave him a little push. "What are you laughing at?"

Quentin seized the opportunity to grasp her hand. "It’s nothing. I just think you look rather cute when you’re jealous."

"Who’s jealous? I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you. If it hadn’t been me last night, what would you have done?"

Quentin said, "If it hadn’t been you, I wouldn’t have drunk that wine."

"Huh?" Ivy quickly understood. "You knew I was coming, so you drank that wine on purpose?"

Quentin neither confirmed nor denied it, but Ivy knew that must be it.

"So, when did you find out I was coming to Aethelgard?"

’So much for giving him a surprise. Turns out Quentin knew all along. He even deliberately drank that drugged concoction and put her through hell all night.’

"Take a guess."

"I’m not guessing. You probably knew the moment I bought my ticket. After all, is there anything in Lustre that you *don’t* know?"

Ivy could only use one word to describe Quentin: omniscient.

’It was probably impossible to hide anything from him. You might think you’ve hidden something well, but in reality, it’s all happening right under his nose.’

"It’s not that exaggerated." ’I just pay more attention to things, and when it comes to Ivy, I’m especially attentive.’

"I’m very happy that you came to find me."

Quentin’s magnetic voice brushed softly past her ear, making the tips of Ivy’s ears burn hot again, sending a tingly, numbing sensation through her.

"Men’s words are nothing but beautiful lies." Ivy didn’t believe a word of it.

Her eyes, which had been thoroughly teased, still shimmered with a watery light. Her long lashes fluttered, and the corners of her eyes were tinged with a faint red.

Her alluring little face was reflected in Quentin’s eyes, and his breathing began to grow ragged again.

He pursed his lips, saying nothing, his gaze lowered and fixed intently on her.

His gaze was utterly captivating, his deep eyes making no effort to conceal his fervent desire.