Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Ivy Sherwood’s life went on as usual, every day spent busy with work.

She often didn’t get home until the middle of the night, only to leave again first thing in the morning.

It was a hectic life, but Ivy Sherwood found it fulfilling.

Even though the company had only recently opened, Ivy Sherwood was already thinking about opening more branches.

Her goal wasn’t just Lustre. She hoped Iris would have a presence all over the country, and if she had to pick a second city to expand to, Ivy Sherwood wanted it to be Aethelgard.

Expanding to Aethelgard would require careful site selection and planning, though. There was no rush.

In addition to her own sales channels, a few large corporations also wanted to work with Ivy Sherwood, as they all had a need for fragrances. Ivy Sherwood had been in negotiations with two of them. The initial talks had gone very well, but problems arose when it was time to sign the contracts.

”Bad news, President Sherwood,” her assistant, Edie, said, rushing in frantically.

”The companies that were supposed to sign with us have all refused at the last minute! They didn’t give a specific reason. What do we do now?”

Edie had been with Ivy Sherwood since the company’s founding and knew just how difficult things had been for Iris.

’Who on earth is doing this? Why are they so set on targeting Iris?’

”Did they give a reason?” Ivy Sherwood asked, perfectly calm.

Edie shook her head. ”No. Now they won’t even answer our calls, or they just make all sorts of excuses to avoid us.”

”I heard... it seems they’re planning to sign with the Sherwood Company instead.”

”I see. Book me a flight right now. I’m heading over immediately.” Ivy Sherwood set aside her work.

This was a major project with a very large corporation. They had an internal need for fragrances, and a substantial one at that. Since they weren’t a retail distributor, Ivy Sherwood had been quite excited about the prospect of such a long-term partnership.

Ivy Sherwood came in person, a gesture of utmost sincerity, yet the company left her waiting outside.

Until she saw Thea Sherwood coming down from the upper floor.

Thea Sherwood was holding a file—clearly, a signed contract.

It had only been a few days, but Thea Sherwood seemed much more mature. She exuded a new, sultry charm, completely different from the naive young heiress she used to be.

Seeing Ivy Sherwood, Thea Sherwood smiled smugly. ”My apologies, Ivy. This is just how business works. The most capable person gets the contract and the order.”

”This contract is mine, and it won’t be the only time. From now on, any contract you want to sign will be mine.”

Thea Sherwood issued her threat. She was a different person now.

Now, the entire Sherwood Company was hers.

She had already taken down Timothy Sherwood. ’He wronged me first,’ she thought, ’so I’ll trample all over the things he cares about most.’

Besides, she now had Charlie Rhodes backing her. His influence was immense, and it extended far beyond Aethelgard.

With just one word from her, Charlie Rhodes could handle everything for her.

Only now did Thea Sherwood understand what a wonderful thing power truly was.

Ivy Sherwood’s gaze met Thea Sherwood’s without a hint of fear.

”Thea Sherwood, did you earn this through your own merit?”

”Why should you care how I got it? As long as I got it, that’s what counts as my ability.” Thea Sherwood couldn’t care less about such things anymore.

”I know you’ve always looked down on me. Well, I’m going to show you! I, Thea Sherwood, will do better than every single one of you!”

”Let me be honest with you. I know all about the next few companies you’re negotiating with. And they’re all going to sign with my Sherwood Company. They won’t choose you, Ivy.”

”The Sherwood Company has new plans and is about to reach a whole new level. That pathetic little company of yours? You might as well shut it down now. If you come and beg me, I might even do you the favor of acquiring it.”

Thea Sherwood was incredibly arrogant now, as if she were standing on top of the world.

The Sherwood Company had indeed been making some reforms recently, with a growing advertising presence. Its brand recognition was certainly increasing thanks to the marketing blitz.

But...

’Even if it killed me, I would never do something like that.’

”Thea Sherwood, getting your hands on all this really is a talent.”

”But are you sure you got it with your talent, or with your body?”

”You!” Thea Sherwood panicked. ”Ivy Sherwood, I’ll rip your mouth off if you keep spouting nonsense!”

A mocking smile played on Ivy Sherwood’s lips. ”It’s nice to have a big tree for shade, but have you ever considered what happens if that tree falls down one day?”

’It was obvious that a man like Charlie Rhodes was only interested in Thea Sherwood for the novelty of it.’

’Who knew how long that novelty would last.’

’The most dangerous thing in the world is to stake everything on someone else, just hoping they’ll be good to you.’

’The moment Charlie Rhodes gets tired of her, or finds someone prettier, he’ll toss Thea Sherwood aside without a second thought.’

’And what would happen then is anyone’s guess.’

’Then again, you never know. What if Thea Sherwood actually has what it takes to keep Charlie Rhodes happy indefinitely?’

’But Charlie Rhodes is so old, and his lifestyle has already taken its toll on his body. Who knows how much longer he even has to live.’

Hearing Ivy Sherwood’s words, Thea Sherwood’s expression changed.

’How could it fall? I’m Charlie Rhodes’s favorite right now. That damn old man is certainly generous with his money.’

”I rely on myself! What ’big tree’? Ivy Sherwood, don’t be a sore loser. I’m in a good mood right now and still willing to acquire your company. If you refuse, you won’t get a better offer later!”

Ivy Sherwood scoffed. ”On the contrary, I might consider acquiring *your* company.”

”Big words! We’ll see about that!” Thea Sherwood didn’t take Ivy seriously at all.

She now even felt that Ivy Sherwood was no longer her match.

Ivy Sherwood wasn’t angry about losing the deal. She believed better opportunities would come along.

Ivy Sherwood didn’t blame the company for backing out at the last minute. Since she was already there, she naturally met with their representative and had a meal with them.

Even if the deal fell through, they parted as friends.

Ivy Sherwood quickly returned to Lustre. The car race Nina Scott had mentioned was the very next day.

There weren’t many people at the racetrack today. It wasn’t a public event, just some of Lustre’s wealthy scions having a bit of fun.

Nina Scott had said it wouldn’t be crowded, and indeed, it wasn’t. Maybe it was just too early.

As soon as she arrived, however, she spotted Julian Grant and Seth Scott chatting in the distance.

Her heart skipped a beat. ’Don’t tell me Quentin Blackwood is here too?’

Ivy Sherwood’s gaze swept around, but she did not see that familiar figure.

Just then, Nina Scott grabbed Ivy Sherwood and pulled her toward her brother, leaving Ivy no choice but to greet them. ”Mr. Scott. Mr. Grant.”

”I didn’t expect to see you here, Mr. Grant.”

”Ivy, what a coincidence.” Julian Grant hadn’t expected to see Ivy Sherwood either.

”Did you come alone, Mr. Grant?” Ivy Sherwood asked.

Julian Grant saw right through her. ”Ivy, your real question isn’t about me, is it?” he said knowingly. ”You want to know if Quentin Blackwood is here, don’t you?”