Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

At the mention of Ivy Sherwood’s name, Quentin Blackwood’s pupils contracted, glinting with a cold light.

”What did they talk about?” His voice was bone-chillingly cold.

His subordinate shook his head. ”It was too long ago, so we couldn’t find anything definitive. Based on a distant piece of surveillance footage from the time and the recollections of a few witnesses, it seems the two of them were arguing.”

Quentin’s fists clenched tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging, a testament to his rage.

If someone were to stick their head in front of him right now, Quentin would probably smash it to a pulp.

The Sherwood Family and the Blackwood Family had been close back then. He had long known the Sherwoods must have had a hand in his mother’s death. ’But what role did Ivy Sherwood’s mother play among those criminals? Why did my mother die right after meeting with Yvonne Summers?’

This was yet another reminder that Ivy Sherwood was a murderer’s daughter!

On his desk sat a bottle of perfume, a gift from Ivy.

Quentin picked it up, ready to smash it. But he held it in his hand, raised high for a long moment, and couldn’t bring himself to throw it down.

”Get out!”

”Yes, sir.” They all knew President Blackwood was furious and didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire, so they scurried away.

This time, Quentin had returned not just to deal with the Blackwood Family; he had no intention of sparing the Sherwood Family either.

Originally, he and Ivy Sherwood should never have crossed paths.

But now, an image of her face surfaced in his mind.

’Ivy doesn’t seem like the rest of the Sherwood Family.’

’Ivy wore her heart on her sleeve. She wasn’t someone who could be swayed by money. In fact, she was incredibly passionate. She would charge ahead fearlessly for the things she wanted, even if the path was riddled with traps she couldn’t even see.’

’Ivy also isn’t the type to exploit opportunities to get what she wants. Otherwise, she could have easily used me, or her beauty.’

’But... she’s that woman’s daughter.’

’Why did it have to be Ivy?’

The wine cellar at Norhaven housed a collection of many fine wines, most of which were rare and hard to find on the market.

Agitated, Quentin opened several bottles and poured them down his throat as if they were water.

Sometimes, having a high tolerance for alcohol is a curse. He couldn’t get drunk even after all this time. Instead, the more he drank, the clearer his mind became.

***

「Late that night.」

Ivy Sherwood was still awake.

Her brand was set to launch in two days, and she had spent the last couple of days doing final checks to ensure everything was flawless.

She was on the phone with Nina Scott. ”Ivy, don’t worry! Isn’t the online teaser you posted doing great?”

”I’m still a little worried.” Her heart was pounding. She had a nagging feeling that something was about to happen.

She felt that her brand launch and the new store’s grand opening wouldn’t go so smoothly.

”What’s there to worry about? I’ve tried all your perfumes. They’re all amazing, and so many of the scents are unique. Trust me, you’re definitely going to make a name for your brand!”

”Thanks, Nina.”

”I’ll be there to support you on the big day! I’ll make my brother go too. His company has so many employees, I’ll just have him buy a bottle for everyone. We’ll buy you out!”

”No, don’t! I know you mean well, but I really want to succeed on my own merit, because people genuinely love my products.”

”Okay, okay, I get it. But my brother will still come on your opening day. Just let him come hang out. I’m sure you’d welcome him, right?”

”Of course, of course I’d welcome him!”

”That’s great. Anyway, Ivy, don’t overthink it. Get some rest. You’ve been so busy lately. You should take it easy for the next two days, get plenty of sleep, and face your future in your best condition!”

”I know, I know. You’re the best, Nina!”

Just then, Ivy’s doorbell rang. The sound was jarring in the dead of the wee hours.

It was so loud that Nina Scott heard it through the phone. She asked, ”Ivy, who’s looking for you in the middle of the night?”

Seeing Ivy get up, Nina said, ”Ivy, whatever you do, don’t open the door! What if it’s a bad guy?”

”I know. I’ll take a look through the security camera.”

Ever since the incident with Gabriel Walker, Ivy had installed a security camera by her door.

This way, she could easily see what was happening right outside her home, giving her an extra layer of security.

However, when Ivy checked the monitor and saw who was at the door, her eyes lit up.

”Nina, I have to go. Good night!”

”Hey, hey! Who is it? Who is it?” Nina Scott was dying of curiosity. Who on earth could make Ivy hang up on her like that?

The more she didn’t know, the more her curiosity gnawed at her.

If it weren’t so late, she would have rushed over herself. She absolutely had to see who it was, whether it was a man or a woman!

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ivy pulled open the door. ”Quentin, you...”

’How do you know where I live? What do you want from me?’

Before Ivy could finish her sentence, Quentin collapsed onto her. His tall frame pressed against her, and the overwhelming stench of alcohol assaulted her senses. ’Just how much did he drink?’

The man was heavy. Ivy glanced behind him and saw no one, so she had no choice but to help him inside first.

The moment the door closed, the man shoved her against it. Her back slammed into the cold, hard wood, and a sharp pain shot through her.

The next second, a large hand clamped around her neck.

The sensation of suffocating washed over her. Her breath was cut off, and within seconds, her face turned beet red.

”Quen... tin!” she choked out his name.

’What’s wrong with Quentin? I haven’t seen him recently. There’s no way I could have offended him, right?’

The hand on her neck tightened its grip. Ivy struggled to breathe, and her eyes filled with tears from the pain, a truly pitiable sight.

”Ngh...”

The next second, the man released her. Ivy sagged against the door, gasping for air.

She had trusted Quentin so much. When she saw it was him on the monitor, she had opened the door without hesitation.

’Is this really Quentin?’ For a moment, Ivy couldn’t believe it.

”Get out!”

She had only ever seen Quentin’s cold and distant side. This was the first time she had witnessed such a violent, furious rage.

’This is my home. Where am I supposed to go?’

”What happened? You wouldn’t come looking for me this late for no reason. Or... should I have a couple more drinks with you?”

In her eyes, someone like Quentin had excellent control over his temper. For him to be like this, something major must have happened.

”Get out!” Quentin clutched his forehead, looking like he was in agony.

Ivy quickly moved away. She went to her workroom, took out a bottle of perfume, and spritzed it into the air.

It was a calming perfume she had developed. The scent had a soothing effect on the mind.

Ivy believed that scents could do more than simply provide different smells. She hoped her fragrances could have various effects on the human body.

She saw Quentin walk over to the sofa and sit down. He leaned back against it, still looking extremely uncomfortable.

After a short while, he grew quiet, and only then did Ivy dare to approach.

Seeing Quentin leaning against the sofa with his brows still furrowed, Ivy reached out and gently placed her fingers on his temples, massaging them in hopes of making him feel a little better.