Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Caleb Blackwood whipped him hard several times, until streaks of blood soaked through Silas Blackwood’s white shirt. From behind, one could see the welts crisscrossing his back. Caleb was truly merciless this time.

Only when Silas Blackwood’s hands were braced on the floor did Caleb Blackwood turn to Quentin. ”Third Brother, are you satisfied now?”

”It wasn’t me he wronged. Whether I’m satisfied or not is irrelevant.”

Caleb Blackwood looked at Ivy Sherwood. ”Ivy, just forgive Silas this once. If you’re still not satisfied, you can take the whip. Whip him to death.”

As he spoke, Caleb Blackwood even offered the whip to Ivy, but she didn’t take it.

”That won’t be necessary, Uncle Blackwood. I came here today with only one request. I hope you will reconsider the marriage between Silas and me.”

Caleb Blackwood looked troubled. ”I will not agree to that.”

”Why does it have to be me? There must be plenty of other women willing to marry into your family, and many of them are surely more outstanding than I am,” Ivy asked directly.

’She didn’t believe for a second it was about honoring some childhood engagement.’

She stared at Caleb Blackwood’s face. He was an old fox, and his expression revealed nothing.

Caleb Blackwood said, ”The Blackwood family are not people who go back on their word. We wouldn’t have achieved what we have today otherwise. Besides, you and Silas are truly a good match. A fortune-telling master once said your fates are compatible.”

”As for the bride price, your father has already accepted it. You should just focus on preparing for the wedding. Rest assured, the Blackwood family will absolutely not mistreat you.”

”What?” ’Timothy Sherwood accepted the bride price?’

Ivy had been completely unaware of this. ”How much did he take?”

”You have the nerve to ask? Your father is shameless. There’s selling a daughter, and then there’s what he did. He even had the gall to demand shares in the Blackwood family company! In the end, he opened his mouth wide and asked for five hundred million!” Sylvia Blackwood blurted out.

”Five hundred million?” Ivy was stunned. ’Timothy Sherwood took that much money?’

’No wonder Timothy Sherwood refused to work with me last time.’

’After selling one daughter, now he’s come to sell the other!’

”That’s right. Have you people never seen so much money in your lives? Acting all poor and pathetic.” Sylvia Blackwood rolled her eyes.

’The Sherwood family are all cut from the same cloth. And that Thea Sherwood is nothing special either.’

’I don’t know how she suddenly got so rich, buying jewelry even I can’t afford. Now she flaunts it every day in socialite circles. It’s so annoying to watch.’

’And who knows what’s up with Cheryl Yates lately? She hasn’t been out at all.’

”Uncle Blackwood, I knew nothing about this. If I return the bride price and compensate for all the losses on things that have already been arranged, can we reconsider the wedding between Silas and me?”

Ivy bit her lip. If Caleb Blackwood agreed, she would definitely pay the money.

”Ivy, this matter is already set in stone. It cannot be changed. You won’t be at a disadvantage marrying into our Blackwood family, will you? Or do you look down on us that much?” Caleb Blackwood’s smile had vanished.

”That’s not what I mean.” She didn’t look down on the Blackwood family.

She simply disliked Silas Blackwood and detested a marriage arranged by others.

”I will give you a satisfactory explanation for this matter. Ivy, you should go home, prepare, and be a bride.”

Then Caleb Blackwood turned to the butler and said, ”Escort the future young madam home to rest.”

The intention to dismiss her was clear. Ivy knew it was impossible for now; she would have to find another way.

But she would not give up. She would absolutely not compromise.

”Uncle Blackwood, I still hope you will reconsider. Goodbye.”

With that, Ivy left the Blackwood residence directly.

A flicker of something passed through Caleb Blackwood’s eyes. He looked at Quentin.

”Third Brother, I still have other matters to attend to. Forgive my lack of hospitality; I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you.”

Quentin said coolly, ”Indeed. Eldest Brother, you should handle your family’s affairs cleanly. It’s best not to give people something to gossip about.”

As Quentin left, Zane Linton naturally followed.

’President Blackwood came all this way just to hand over a whip. I guess that counts as backing Miss Sherwood up.’

’But is President Blackwood really not going to intervene in the matter of breaking the engagement?’

Quentin walked out of the villa. Ivy hadn’t left.

”Uncle.” She called out to him. ”May I have a word with you in private?”

Ivy appeared serene, but her usually sparkling eyes were now dim, a sea of bleakness.

Quentin nodded. ”Get in the car.”

Ivy had taken a taxi over, so she got right into Quentin’s car.

Sitting next to Quentin, Ivy didn’t know how to begin.

Her expression was full of hesitation. Her face was slightly lowered, and her fingers fidgeted with her clothes.

”Just say what’s on your mind.” Quentin wasn’t used to seeing Ivy so hesitant.

”Uncle, you know I started my own brand. I want to partner with DG. I can give you half of my shares.”

This was Ivy’s wholly-owned studio; she held all the shares. If Quentin was willing to offer his protection, she would give him as many shares as he wanted.

’If I run away, Caleb Blackwood will definitely not spare Iris.’

She didn’t want to see her life’s work destroyed just like that. Better to give it to Quentin than let Caleb destroy it.

Quentin saw right through her. ”Are you planning to run away?”

Ivy was surprised she was so obvious. She denied it, saying, ”No, of course not. I just want the backing of DG to grow my brand bigger and stronger.”

Quentin’s lips twitched. Ivy’s explanation wasn’t the least bit convincing.

’If Ivy’s goal was really just to grow her brand, she would have come to him on day one. Or she would have sought shelter under another large corporation the first time she was targeted. She wouldn’t have waited until now.’

”Caleb Blackwood won’t let you go. You must have something he wants. Otherwise, he would never have gone this far.”

’He’s willing to go to such lengths to smooth things over, yet he refuses to call off the wedding. That’s not my eldest brother’s style.’

”But I’m just an ordinary person. I don’t have anything,” Ivy said, confused.

’Whatever Caleb Blackwood wants, can’t I just give it to him?’

This was something Quentin couldn’t figure out either. But he knew his eldest brother’s personality all too well.

A businessman would never do something that doesn’t benefit him.

”Just stop struggling. Be a good Mrs. Blackwood.”

”Impossible!” No matter what, Ivy would never resign herself to this fate.

”Uncle, for the sake of everything we’ve done together... are you really just going to stand by and watch me suffer?” Ivy raised her beautiful eyes to look at Quentin again.

’Everything we’ve done...’ ’Ivy really is bold.’

Quentin lowered his gaze, his ink-black eyes reflecting her image.

His thin lips parted. ”What does any of this have to do with me?”

”Aren’t you afraid I’ll go tell Caleb Blackwood that you and I have been hooking up for a long time? That I’m carrying your child? Do you think he’d still make me marry Silas then?”