Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Quentin Blackwood’s expression was grim. Ignoring Joy Sheridan, he strode away. ”I’m going to make a call.”

Joy Sheridan didn’t stop him. Instead, she looked behind her in the direction Ivy Sherwood and Nina Scott had gone.

After a moment’s thought, she headed in their direction.

Nina Scott walked beside Ivy Sherwood, gossiping curiously. ”That woman just now was quite pretty. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Quentin Blackwood so close with someone.”

”Mm,” Ivy Sherwood hummed faintly in response.

”Do you think she’s Quentin Blackwood’s girlfriend?” Nina Scott mused aloud.

”Did you see her clothes? They’re all custom pieces from major international brands. An outfit like that must cost tens of millions.” Since Nina Scott worked in fashion, she was particularly sensitive to such things.

”Mm.”

”She...” Nina Scott was about to say more when she noticed something seemed off about Ivy Sherwood.

She couldn’t read anything from Ivy’s expression, but she was definitely much quieter than she had been just a moment ago.

”Ivy, are you okay?”

”I’m fine. Why?” Ivy Sherwood forced a smile.

”Did you hear what I was just saying, then?”

”I heard you. You asked if she was Quentin Blackwood’s girlfriend and said she was very rich,” Ivy Sherwood repeated.

’Even if she is Quentin Blackwood’s girlfriend, it has nothing to do with me. It’s not like Quentin and I have any kind of relationship anyway.’

Just then, a voice suddenly called out from behind them. ”You two up ahead, wait a moment.”

Nina Scott turned around curiously and saw it was the woman from before, calling out to them.

Quentin Blackwood was gone; it was just the woman.

”Are you calling us?” Nina Scott asked uncertainly.

”Yes, you.” Joy Sheridan walked over toward Ivy Sherwood.

”You must be Ivy Sherwood. I’ve heard a lot about you. My name is Joy Sheridan, and I’m Quentin Blackwood’s girlfriend.” Joy sized Ivy up, seeing nothing that made her feel threatened.

She only dared to claim she was his girlfriend now that Quentin Blackwood wasn’t around. She wouldn’t have been so bold in front of him.

Ivy Sherwood simply nodded. ”Hello. Though, I seem to recall him saying last time that he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

Joy Sheridan’s smile didn’t falter. ”You know how career-focused Quentin is. He doesn’t plan on making our relationship public just yet. I’m only telling you two, so please don’t go telling anyone else.”

”I’m from Aethelgard, and I’ve known Quentin for many years. Everyone in Aethelgard knows we’re a perfect match. I remember you’re the fiancée of my Quentin’s nephew, aren’t you? Seeing you in person today, you really are something.”

Nina Scott could feel the aggression rolling off this woman. Everything she said was to emphasize her own status and her special relationship with Quentin Blackwood.

Ivy Sherwood smiled. ”Is that so? I’m surprised Miss Sheridan has even heard of me.”

”Of course. I’m sure we’ll have many more opportunities to meet in the future. I quite like you, actually.”

”I had no idea I was so likable. I remember Cheryl Yates also said she quite liked me, and that she would one day be with Quentin Blackwood, which would make us family.”

’Ivy hadn’t forgotten that Cheryl Yates had tampered with her car. She didn’t want to get involved in this kind of drama over a man, but she didn’t mind watching them go at each other’s throats.’

’Besides, Cheryl Yates had started it. Ivy was just redirecting her to a new enemy. Hopefully, with Joy Sheridan around, Cheryl would focus less of her scheming on her.’

”Her?” The single word was filled with Joy Sheridan’s contempt. ”I know about her. A delusional little thing who doesn’t know her own limits. She should take a good look in the mirror.”

”But I’ve already taken care of her. I have some photos of her now, so she won’t dare to try anything. Why don’t we exchange contact information? If anyone else has designs on Quentin in the future, you can come and tell me.”

Ivy Sherwood instantly understood. So that was why Cheryl Yates had come looking for trouble with her, spouting all that nonsense.

’It looked like this young miss had been the one to make a move.’

’She had photos, and they were undoubtedly compromising ones. To make an enemy of Cheryl Yates right after arriving in Lustre... this Joy Sheridan was truly an arrogant person.’

Seeing Ivy Sherwood’s reaction, Joy Sheridan chuckled. ”What’s wrong? Did I scare you?”

Ivy Sherwood shook her head. Joy Sheridan continued, ”Don’t be afraid. As long as you’re not my love rival, I won’t lay a hand on you. If you’re willing to listen to me and cooperate, I can even guarantee your safety when Quentin eventually moves against the Blackwood Family.”

Ivy Sherwood: ”...”

’If the woman in front of her knew that not only was Ivy her love rival, but that she had been intimate with the man Joy liked countless times, she’d probably be strangled on the spot.’

’It seemed Joy Sheridan was looking for someone to keep an eye on Quentin Blackwood for her.’

Ivy Sherwood’s expression was indifferent. ”Isn’t it inappropriate to be telling me all this?”

”What’s so inappropriate? I already said I like you. This is my first time in Lustre, and Quentin is too busy to spend time with me. I was wondering if you could show me around?”

Ivy Sherwood replied, ”Unfortunately, this isn’t a good time. I’ve been extremely busy lately.”

”That’s all right. We’ll have plenty of time in the future. I’d like to treat you to dinner sometime, to thank you for taking care of my Quentin all this time.” Joy Sheridan’s smile was radiant, full of confidence and the certainty of getting what she wanted.

The way ”my Quentin” rolled so easily off her tongue was telling.

”Joy Sheridan!” A voice, sharp with anger, suddenly called out from nearby.

All three of them looked up and saw Quentin Blackwood standing not far away.

In front of Quentin Blackwood, Joy Sheridan became a picture of obedience.

She ran right over and linked her arm intimately through his. ”What’s wrong? Did you miss me already after just a moment apart?”

Quentin Blackwood’s gaze didn’t land on Joy Sheridan; it went straight to Ivy Sherwood over on the side.

Ivy was still in her red and white racing suit. The uniform suited her, lending her a uniquely cool and detached aura, just like in the photo Julian Grant had sent him.

He pulled his arm free. ”I’ve already called your grandfather. He wants you to go back. I’ll arrange for someone to take you to the airport.”

”I don’t want to,” Joy whined. ”I just got here, and I haven’t even had a chance to properly see the place where you grew up. Besides, I was just chatting with our nephew’s fiancée. I want to hang out with her.” She tried to pull Quentin Blackwood over with her.

”She is not my nephew’s fiancée,” Quentin Blackwood said, his voice frigid.

’Things with Silas Blackwood were far from certain. How could anyone call her his nephew’s fiancée?’

But Joy Sheridan retorted, ”What a thing to say! Even if you don’t like her, you can’t stop Ivy Sherwood from marrying into the Blackwood Family. I’m telling you, you’re not allowed to ruin a perfectly good match.”

Joy Sheridan pressed herself right up against Quentin Blackwood’s side, deliberately showing Ivy Sherwood that her relationship with him was far from ordinary.

’I’m the only woman who can stand by his side!’

”I’m having someone send you back to Aethelgard,” Quentin Blackwood repeated, his voice devoid of all warmth.

”Why are you always so bossy with me? Is it because you just like telling me what to do?” Joy Sheridan was actually thrilled. Although she didn’t want to return to Aethelgard, she loved it when Quentin Blackwood ordered her around.

’The way his word was absolute... it was just endlessly charming.’