Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Once Ivy Sherwood was busy, she couldn’t focus on anything else.

Even though Thea Sherwood had snatched many of her projects, Ivy Sherwood didn’t panic. She remained grounded, continuing to ensure the quality of every bottle of perfume.

The annual perfume competition was about to start again, and everyone in the studio was discussing it. Edie even said, ”Ivy, the perfumes you create smell so good. Why don’t you sign up and give it a try? If you win an award, it would be great publicity for our brand.”

Ivy Sherwood just smiled, not saying whether she would enter or not.

Back in her office, Ivy Sherwood opened her computer and looked at the promotional material on the official website.

She logged into her account and registered under the name Iris.

As for what kind of perfume to create this year, Ivy Sherwood already had an idea in mind.

”Hey, look, Thea Sherwood signed up too. She even went online and said she’s going to use her skills to prove she deserves the title of ’perfumery prodigy.’” The others in the main office were still talking.

Thea Sherwood had never entered the competition before. She knew all her perfume formulas were stolen from Ivy Sherwood; she knew she didn’t have the skill.

But ever since the plagiarism scandal, her online reputation had taken a nosedive. If she could win an award this time, the whole plagiarism issue would be completely forgotten.

Thea Sherwood wanted to use this opportunity to clear her name. Previously, it would have been impossible, but things were different now.

After the interview, Thea Sherwood went backstage, took a selfie, and sent it to a certain someone.

”Do I look pretty today?”

A video call from the recipient came through almost immediately. Thea Sherwood really didn’t want to see that face, so she switched it to a voice call.

”Baby, why didn’t you pick up my video call?”

Thea Sherwood said, ”I’m busy right now. It’s not a good time for a video call.”

”My little baby is so beautiful. I wish I could fly over to you right now. You’re just trying to tempt me, aren’t you? My heart is melting.”

It was the voice of an old man, yet it was filled with lust. Looking at the photo, Charlie Rhodes was getting a little worked up.

Thea Sherwood was indeed beautiful, and her makeup today was especially alluring.

Thea Sherwood was delighted. ”I’ve already done the interview. You promised you’d help me win an award.”

”Of course. With me around, you can just leave everything to me.”

Charlie Rhodes would handle everything for Thea Sherwood. She wouldn’t have to create the perfume herself; he would hire a true professional to concoct one for her. All Thea had to do was submit it for the competition.

He would also contact the competition organizers and throw some money their way. Even if he couldn’t secure first place, getting Thea Sherwood some kind of award would be simple.

For someone with Charlie Rhodes’ power and influence, these things were trivial.

”Well, thank you in advance, then.”

”No need to be so formal with me, sweetheart. I heard you’re coming to Aethelgard on a business trip in a couple of days?”

”Mhm,” Thea Sherwood purred.

”Great. Your godfather will book a room for you, the very best. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable and have a good time. Your godfather has missed you so much. I haven’t seen you in a while. When you come this time, you have to spend some real quality time with me.”

Though her face was filled with disgust, Thea Sherwood still agreed. ”Okay. But you have to remember to buy me that jewelry I love.”

”Of course. I’ve already bought it for you; it’ll be delivered soon. Wear the gift I got you when you go to your business meeting.”

”Okay,” Thea Sherwood agreed.

”So, does my little baby love me?”

Thea Sherwood replied, ”Of course I do. I love you the most.”

’It was disgusting,’ but Thea Sherwood knew that flattering this old man with sweet nothings wouldn’t cost her anything.

’The important thing was, by pleasing him, she could get all sorts of benefits. She could get anything she wanted. So why not?’

’What Ivy Sherwood had said last time made sense to her now.’

’She had to rely on herself. If this great tree were to fall, she would be left with nothing.’

’The old man was getting on in years. What if he just dropped dead one day?’

’So, she had to get as much as she could out of him now, while she still had the chance. Even if it meant having to keep him company, she could get more money and possessions in return.’

’The Sherwood Company was no longer enough to satisfy her. If she could get her hands on the Rhodes Family’s assets and shares, then her future would be secure.’

The jewelry from Charlie Rhodes arrived quickly. The next day, Thea Sherwood wore it to her business meeting.

This particular deal was with a government agency. They were preparing to host distinguished guests and needed a supply of custom fragrances and ambient scents.

The contract might not have been particularly lucrative, but many companies were still eager to compete for it.

Ivy Sherwood wasn’t at all surprised to see Thea Sherwood at an event like this.

Ivy Sherwood had come thoroughly prepared. For every potential partnership, no matter the project, she always prepared her materials meticulously.

She was pragmatic, not just thinking of her own interests but also offering constructive suggestions to her potential partners. This time, even though she didn’t think her chances were high, she treated the opportunity with the utmost seriousness and sincerity.

After the bidding presentations were over, Thea Sherwood stopped her outside the venue.

”Ivy Sherwood, I’m surprised a small-time workshop like yours would try to get a piece of a deal like this. You should really take a look in the mirror and see if you’re even qualified.”

Thea Sherwood was confident she would win, because she had a powerful backer.

Thea Sherwood deliberately stepped in front of Ivy Sherwood and tugged at her collar to show off the necklace she was wearing.

Ivy Sherwood simply looked at her coldly. ”The results aren’t out yet, so nothing is certain. My company may be a ’small-time workshop,’ but if I win the bid, wouldn’t it be ridiculous that your big corporation couldn’t even beat us?”

”Impossible! Even if the Sherwood Company doesn’t get it, there’s no way it would go to your tiny company.”

”And another thing—you slandered me before, saying I plagiarized you. Heh. I’m going to prove myself at this year’s international perfume competition. But what about you, Ivy Sherwood? You think you’re so great, so why aren’t you competing?”

Thea Sherwood was trying to provoke Ivy Sherwood into entering the competition.

’Ivy Sherwood would never be able to win, and then she could mock her to her heart’s content.’

Ivy Sherwood said, ”Whether I compete or not has nothing to do with you.”

’Besides, who said I wasn’t competing?’

’I just didn’t use my own name, that’s all.’

Ivy Sherwood didn’t want to waste any more time talking to Thea Sherwood. She had her own business to attend to.

Thea Sherwood felt a surge of frustration, her attempt to show off in front of Ivy Sherwood having fallen flat.

’This time, she had to win an award and put Ivy Sherwood in her place!’

As Ivy Sherwood was about to leave, Thea Sherwood blocked her path again. ”Ivy Sherwood, there’s some happy news about you that I forgot to mention earlier.”

”I heard that Timothy Sherwood has already spoken with the Blackwood Family. They’ve set your wedding date,” Thea Sherwood said with a grin.

She hadn’t called Timothy Sherwood ”father” ever since he pushed her into the abyss.

’She knew Ivy didn’t want to marry Silas Blackwood, which meant there was a good show in store. She couldn’t wait to see how Ivy would struggle.’

’If she was miserable, then Ivy Sherwood wasn’t allowed to be happy either.’

Ivy Sherwood’s expression faltered for a moment. She shook off Thea Sherwood’s hand and drove away.

On the road, Ivy Sherwood got a call from Timothy Sherwood. He told her to go try on wedding dresses with Silas Blackwood tomorrow.