Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Looking back on the night, Ivy Sherwood’s biggest regret was biting Quentin Blackwood on the leg.

Because Quentin Blackwood was a petty man. In retaliation, he had bitten her thigh countless times, leaving trails of dark, intimate bruises.

The next morning, when Ivy Sherwood woke, the sun was already bright and the space beside her in bed was empty.

A fresh set of clothes had been laid out for her. After Ivy changed, a servant led her to the dining room.

Some of the servants here had disabilities—some were mute, others lame. Some were simply at the end of their rope. Quentin Blackwood knew how hard it was for such people to survive in society, perhaps recalling his own childhood, which was why he took them in.

He gave them jobs, paid them handsome salaries, and after they were properly trained, they took care of Norhaven.

These people were carefully selected, with one crucial trait: they were all tight-lipped and would never gossip.

”Where’s Quentin Blackwood?”

”President Blackwood had to step out on business. He’s arranged for a car to take you wherever you need to go, Miss Sherwood.”

’To be fair,’ she thought, ’Quentin Blackwood treats his bed partners pretty well.’

Ivy Sherwood nodded. She had to get to work; today, she needed to check on the retail spaces she’d been looking into.

After breakfast, the driver was ready. ”Miss Sherwood, if you please.”

As they drove out of the garage, a car began tailing them.

While on the highway, the driver glanced at the rearview mirror and said, ”Miss, hold on tight.”

The next second, the driver slammed on the accelerator. The car swerved and drifted like a professional race car, quickly weaving past the other vehicles.

It was only then that Ivy Sherwood realized they were being followed.

But Quentin Blackwood’s driver was a cut above the rest, and it wasn’t long before he lost their tail.

Ivy Sherwood’s first thought was that Caleb Blackwood had probably sent the car.

’After leaving yesterday, he must have known Quentin had a woman over. He’d definitely send someone to watch and find out who she was.’

’He wouldn’t dare to be obvious about it, so he had to do it in secret.’

’And Quentin must have anticipated this. That’s why he arranged for me to leave in one of Norhaven’s cars with his driver.’

’That fox, Quentin Blackwood, really thinks of everything.’

The driver brought Ivy Sherwood safely to her destination. After thanking him, she headed into the mall.

It was another busy day. She found two suitable locations and secured them on the spot.

Next up was the interior design and renovation.

Since she was determined to do this on her own, Ivy decided to handle the design herself to achieve the exact style she wanted. She would also have to personally oversee the construction.

Then there were the perfumes she’d designed. They were about to go into production, and she needed to monitor the process to ensure there were no quality control issues.

’If only I could clone myself.’ Ivy wished she could split herself into ten people, or maybe grow three heads and eight arms.

Early that morning, Caleb Blackwood had taken Silas Blackwood to apologize to Quentin, only to be told he was out. Caleb had been completely snubbed.

Silas Blackwood was even more furious. The dark circles under his eyes were so heavy he looked like he hadn’t slept a wink.

”Dad, look at his attitude! We didn’t even get to see his face.”

”And how the hell should I know why he doesn’t like dumplings? What does that have to do with me?”

”Dad, I think he’s doing this on purpose just to mess with us. Why don’t we just ignore him? You’re the one in charge of Lustre, Dad. Why are you acting so subservient to him? If other people saw this, imagine what they’d think of us.”

Silas Blackwood was unaware of the financial crisis their company was facing, nor did he know that his father was trying to get money out of Quentin Blackwood.

In the last two years, a new company had suddenly emerged in Lustre. It had started out small but had grown at an incredible speed.

From the looks of it, its market value would soon surpass that of the Blackwood Group, which was why Caleb Blackwood was in such a panic.

Looking at his disappointing son, Caleb Blackwood nearly passed out from sheer frustration.

He wanted to strike his son, to beat some sense into him, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. ”What do you know? Just keep your mouth shut in front of your uncle!”

A short while later, Caleb Blackwood received a call. They had lost her.

Caleb Blackwood didn’t say much. He knew Quentin Blackwood’s people were no ordinary men. Most of his bodyguards were retired special forces, and even his driver was far from average.

’What’s so special about this woman that Quentin would go to such lengths to hide her?’

’Still, as long as Quentin is interested in women, that’s a good thing.’

”Dad, what are you smiling about?”

”Have you met any beautiful women lately?”

”Of course.” The image of a devastatingly beautiful face instantly surfaced in Silas Blackwood’s mind. He still couldn’t forget her, yet he didn’t know the first thing about her.

Just like last time, he had searched all over Lustre but couldn’t find her. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.

”Then find a few more, and send them to your uncle.”

”What?” ’I haven’t even had a chance with any of them, and I’m supposed to send them to Uncle?’

”Doesn’t he dislike women?”

”What man doesn’t like women? He’s just putting on an act. Just go pick out a few. I’ll find an opportunity to invite him to dinner. Once he’s drunk, we’ll send the women to him.”

Caleb Blackwood’s mind was made up. ’Even a hero is no match for a beautiful woman. So what if it’s Quentin Blackwood? He’s no exception!’

...

After a full afternoon of scouting locations, Ivy Sherwood was physically and mentally exhausted. But she was happy. This was her own business, something she was building for herself.

’If Mom could see this, she would be so happy for me!’

Still, she’d had a good night’s sleep, so she could afford to stay up late tonight and work on the design blueprints for the renovation.

She had just stepped out of the car at the gate of her apartment complex when her phone began to ring incessantly. It was Timothy Sherwood.

Ivy Sherwood hung up immediately, but Timothy Sherwood called right back, his persistence grating on her nerves.

’He’s my father, maybe it’s something urgent,’ she thought, finally picking up.

”What is it?”

”Ivy Sherwood, where the hell are you? Get your ass back here right now!” Timothy Sherwood’s voice roared through the phone.

”What’s wrong? Did someone die? Do you need me home for the funeral?”

”Have your wings finally hardened? How dare you speak to your own father like that! You unfilial, worthless child! You’re nothing but a troublemaker! Do you have any idea who Gabriel Walker is? You actually reported President Walker to the police! Do you know how powerful his connections are?”

Ivy’s tone sharpened. ”Gabriel Walker went to see you?”

”So hurry up and write a statement of forgiveness to get him released! Do you have any idea what it means to offend President Walker and the Young Family? Can you handle those consequences?”

Timothy Sherwood raged on. Gabriel Walker’s father-in-law was up for another promotion. If he could offer the Sherwood Family even the slightest bit of favor in the future, they would enjoy endless prosperity.

But now? Gabriel Walker had gone to see Ivy personally, and she actually refused to forgive him!

Listening to her father, the smile on Ivy’s lips turned icy, a self-deprecating sneer.

’Just as I thought. I never should have held out any hope for Timothy Sherwood.’

’In his eyes, I’m probably nothing. Just a tool to be used when convenient.’

”Do you even know what he did?” Ivy’s voice was completely devoid of warmth.

”But you’re fine, aren’t you? Those men didn’t succeed. You’re perfectly okay, so what is there not to forgive?”

As Timothy Sherwood’s voice came through the phone again, Ivy felt her heart turn to ice.