Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

”What resort?” Ivy Sherwood had no idea what he was talking about.

’When did I agree to that? I don’t remember it at all.’

”Stop playing dumb with me. I told you when we had dinner last time. My dad wants us to go to the resort, and you agreed.”

Ivy Sherwood racked her brain. ’Did that really happen?’ During that dinner, she had been preoccupied with thoughts of Thea Sherwood and hadn’t paid any attention to what Silas Blackwood was saying.

”I’m very busy. I don’t have time.” There was no way she was going to a resort with Silas Blackwood. That sounded even more torturous than pulling several all-nighters at work.

Silas couldn’t believe it. He was willing to go on vacation with Ivy Sherwood—an incredible stroke of luck for her, a gift from the heavens—and she was actually turning him down?

”Do you really think opening some pathetic little studio makes you a boss? Believe it or not, the Blackwood Group could shut your studio down in minutes. Then you’ll come crawling back to me on your knees!”

”Silas Blackwood, you’re pestering me so much... could it be that you like me?”

”Bullshit!” Silas Blackwood recoiled. ”Take a good look in the mirror. Me, like you? What a joke. Even if you were the last woman on Earth, I would never like you!”

His eyes were filled with loathing. Every time he looked at Ivy Sherwood, he saw her as nothing but a piece of trash.

”If you don’t like me, why do you want to go to a resort with me? Are you some kind of masochist?”

”Fine! You’re the one who refuses to go. Just you wait!”

Silas Blackwood stormed off. Ivy Sherwood didn’t give him a second thought and went back to her work.

A short while later, her phone rang. It was a call from Caleb Blackwood.

Ivy Sherwood bit her lip. After a moment’s hesitation, she answered, ”Uncle Blackwood.”

”Ivy, I hope I’m not disturbing you?”

Caleb Blackwood’s seasoned voice came through the phone. As a man who had weathered decades in the business world, the commanding and steady aura in his speech was completely different from Silas Blackwood’s.

Ivy’s heart clenched at the sound of Caleb Blackwood’s voice.

”Not at all.”

”Silas must have told you about the trip to the resort. You and Silas are engaged, after all. I was hoping you two could get to know each other better and pave the way for your marriage.”

”Uncle Blackwood, marriage is a serious matter that requires careful consideration. I don’t think Silas Blackwood and I are a good match.”

”That’s precisely why I’m creating this opportunity for you to get closer. Besides, this engagement was set when your mother was still with us. Ivy, Silas can be a bit of a jerk, I know, but I’ve long considered you one of the Blackwoods. Or are you saying you look down on our family?”

By the end, Caleb Blackwood’s voice had turned cold and menacing.

”That’s not what I meant.”

Ivy Sherwood knew that in her current position, she couldn’t afford to offend the Blackwood family.

Caleb Blackwood might seem all smiles on the surface, but he was actually a ruthless man.

If Caleb Blackwood was against breaking the engagement, he had a thousand ways to force her to marry Silas.

”I knew you were a good girl. Everything at the resort is already arranged. You and Silas have a good time.”

”Uncle Blackwood, I’m a little busy lately. I may not be able to make it.”

”I know. You’ve recently opened a studio, and it must be tough. If you’re overwhelmed, I can arrange for some people from my company to help you out. After all, once you and Silas are married, you’ll just be a housewife anyway.”

Every word from Caleb Blackwood was a veiled threat.

Having the Blackwood Group send people to ”help” Ivy Sherwood was a clear signal that he intended to absorb her studio into the corporation.

And it wasn’t a matter she had a choice in.

They were the Blackwood family, after all, the most powerful family in Lustre. Caleb Blackwood certainly had the power to back up his words; not even Silas or Sylvia would dare to defy him.

Ivy recalled Quentin Blackwood’s words: she had to reach a position of power where no one could touch her.

”I understand, Uncle Blackwood. I’ll go.”

Ivy Sherwood relented. Fortunately, most of her urgent work was finished, and she could leave the rest to Edie and her team.

’I’ll just treat this as a chance to relax,’ she thought. ’And I’ll pretend Silas Blackwood doesn’t even exist.’

Ivy went home, packed a few things, and then drove to the resort.

Lustre boasted a prime location. The weather was like spring year-round, and the scenery was beautiful, with both mountains and a coastline.

This particular resort was located in the suburbs. An entire mountain and its adjacent sea area had been contracted and developed by a single company, offering a wide range of activities.

It was currently in its soft opening phase and not yet fully open to the public, so the early guests were all notable figures in Lustre.

As soon as she arrived at the base of the mountain, someone came to greet her. ”Miss Sherwood, correct? Please, follow me.”

The attendant led Ivy to her accommodations. ”This is your room, for you and Young Master Blackwood.”

Ivy took in the room’s decor. Rose petals were scattered across the bed, and vases filled with more roses were placed around the room. It was obviously a suite for a couple.

’They expect me to share a room with Silas Blackwood?’

”Are there any other rooms available?”

”I’m sorry, Miss Sherwood, but this is how Mr. Blackwood arranged it.”

Ivy frowned. She figured Silas might not even show up, and even if he did, he certainly wouldn’t want to share a room with her. With that in mind, she put her bags down.

Instead of going out to explore, Ivy took out her laptop and continued working.

Later that evening, Ivy took a shower. While she was in the bathroom, she heard noises from the outer room.

’Oh no, Silas might be here.’

Ivy quickly dressed, touched up her makeup, and only came out after confirming in the mirror that her look was flawless.

Silas Blackwood was sitting on a chair in the main room. A woman was perched on his lap, feeding him grapes.

”Young Master Blackwood, have one of these~”

Silas Blackwood opened his mouth to take the grape, but then his lips lingered, kissing the woman’s hand.

”Young Master Blackwood, which do you think is sweeter, the grape or me?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Silas saw Ivy emerge from the bathroom. Even in her pajamas, the woman was covered from neck to toe.

He had no interest in her figure anyway; she looked like she had nothing to show off.

Knowing Ivy was watching, Silas said deliberately, ”Both are sweet.”

”Oh, you’re awful~” the woman in his arms cooed, playfully tapping his chest with her small fists.

Beside him, another woman was leaning over a glass table, her hands flat on its surface, suggestively arching her back.

Both girls looked young and pretty. As for their clothes... well, one could only describe them as ”airy.” They wore tiny camisoles and micro-miniskirts.

The skirts were so short they barely covered their backsides, offering a glimpse of the panties underneath.

If Silas wanted to, he could do plenty without even needing them to undress.

Ivy quickly averted her eyes, ignoring Silas completely.

Silas sneered. ’She must be jealous. Ivy Sherwood is definitely jealous again.’

Emboldened by his favor, the woman in Silas’s arms pouted. ”Young Master Blackwood, who’s that? I thought it was just going to be the three of us. When did your tastes get so... peculiar?”