Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Ivy Sherwood changed quickly. When she opened the door and stepped out, Quentin Blackwood was also outside, having changed into a clean outfit.

He wore his usual black suit and trousers, along with a pair of custom, handmade leather shoes.

Next to Ivy Sherwood’s black dress, their outfits looked like a matching couple’s set.

Appearing before Quentin Blackwood with her true face for the first time, Ivy Sherwood felt quite self-conscious.

”I...” Ivy Sherwood didn’t know how to begin speaking to Quentin Blackwood. ’After all, I went in with one face and came out with another. How could I possibly explain this? Was I supposed to just say, I’ve been lying to you this whole time, and this is actually the real me?’

’And not long ago, Quentin Blackwood had just seen her in Aethelgard. They were in the dressing room, and she had even called him husband...’

’And after she got back, she bought a new SIM card and contacted Quentin Blackwood with it.’

’What if Quentin Blackwood asked why she had deceived him?’

When Quentin Blackwood’s gaze turned to her, Ivy Sherwood instantly felt her whole body tense up.

Her fingers clutched her dress, her palms sweaty with nerves.

A flash of awe crossed Quentin Blackwood’s eyes. He had thought the dress was rather plain, but on Ivy Sherwood, it was unexpectedly stunning.

The black dress featured a cutout design. The back was fastened with only a few straps tied into a bow, which crisscrossed over Ivy Sherwood’s fair skin. Most of her back was exposed, though partially veiled by her long hair. Her scapulae, prominent like a butterfly’s wings poised for flight, were faintly visible, creating a beauty that was simply beyond words.

The strapless design showcased her perfect figure; if she were the slightest bit thinner or fuller, she wouldn’t have been able to wear the dress so flawlessly. The hemline reached her calves, making her legs look long and slender. Her heels were minimalist, just two straps fastened at the ankle, where glittering diamonds made even the fair skin of her instep look like a work of art.

It was a complete departure from her usual style, making her countless times more beautiful than any popular starlet.

Being scrutinized by Quentin Blackwood like this, Ivy Sherwood’s confidence waned even further.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, Ivy Sherwood finally mustered her courage. ”Actually, there’s something I haven’t...”

”Since you’ve changed, let’s go out.” Quentin Blackwood’s tone was as casual as ever, betraying no surprise at her appearance.

Ivy Sherwood blinked. ”Huh?”

But Quentin Blackwood had already strode over. His large, broad hand took hers, completely enveloping it.

Feeling the warmth of his skin, Ivy Sherwood’s heart began to pound like thunder.

Quentin Blackwood’s voice came from beside her. ”Just stay behind me. You don’t have to say a word.”

Ivy Sherwood gazed at Quentin Blackwood’s back. ’He really is a man of the world,’ she thought, ’to accept this so quickly.’

Stepping around the expensive cameras and lenses scattered on the floor, they opened the door. As expected, not a single member of the media had left.

Silas Blackwood was at the very front, his eyes fixed fiercely on the door as if trying to bore a hole through it with his gaze.

Quentin Blackwood emerged, leading a woman by the hand. She stayed behind him, her form obscured by his broad frame.

Everyone else looked over, curious, trying to get a clear look at the woman’s face. But she kept her head lowered, her features hidden by her curtain of hair. She also leaned against Quentin Blackwood’s back, making it impossible for anyone to see her face at all.

Silas Blackwood’s gaze dropped to their joined hands. ”Uncle, what is the meaning of this?”

Quentin Blackwood was very tall, taller than anyone else present. As his gaze swept over the crowd, everyone felt their hearts clench.

”I already told you, she is not Ivy Sherwood.” Quentin Blackwood’s voice was perfectly steady. Standing behind him, Ivy Sherwood thought that if it were her, she would never be able to call black white with such a straight face.

”Even now, you still won’t admit it, Uncle?”

They had been standing guard at the door the entire time. Other than the secretary who had just delivered the clothes, no one had gone in or out.

There was no opportunity to switch the person inside. It was even more impossible that she could stop being Ivy Sherwood just by changing her clothes.

”Silas Blackwood, you’re as impulsive as ever. You don’t use your head, so you deserve to be played for a fool.”

Silas Blackwood was furious. With so many people watching, was Quentin Blackwood still not going to admit it?

’If it really isn’t Ivy Sherwood, then why is she hiding? Why doesn’t she dare to just show her face openly?’

Silas Blackwood had already made up his mind. ’This is far from over!’

”What is that supposed to mean, Uncle!” Silas Blackwood’s expression was grim.

”Your actions right now have affected both me and Ivy Sherwood. I have no desire to escalate this, but with you all blocking the doorway so aggressively, I doubt Ivy Sherwood will forgive you easily.”

Quentin Blackwood paused for a moment before continuing, ”Silas Blackwood, since all the members of the media are here, let them bear witness. If the face you see is not the Ivy Sherwood you are familiar with, then you will transfer all your shares in the Blackwood Group to Ivy Sherwood as an apology for last time and for today.”

’Ivy Sherwood, standing behind him, couldn’t help but think that it was no wonder Quentin Blackwood was so successful. He had such a way with words. He hadn’t said she wasn’t Ivy Sherwood, but rather that hers wasn’t the face of the Ivy Sherwood they were familiar with.’

’To be able to broker a deal even in a situation like this... a business magnate is a business magnate, after all. She felt completely outmatched.’

She didn’t know how many shares Silas Blackwood held, nor did she have any interest in the Blackwood Group’s stock. Quentin Blackwood had told her not to say a word when they came out, so Ivy Sherwood remained silent.

The others all wanted to whisper amongst themselves, but none dared to speak.

Silas Blackwood froze. ’This... should I agree?’

’Last time at Norhaven, he had been tricked by Quentin Blackwood. He had gone looking for that beautiful woman, and Quentin Blackwood had made a bet with him: if there was no one in the study, Silas would have to go kneel outside.’

That time, Silas Blackwood had lost.

But now, the thought of betting against Quentin Blackwood sent a chill down his spine.

’He had to admit, he was no match for Quentin Blackwood in psychological warfare. He was genuinely hesitating now.’

’He only held ten percent of the Blackwood Group’s shares. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was by no means small. If he gave it all to Ivy Sherwood, his father would surely kill him when he got home.’

’But it had to be Ivy Sherwood inside. He was completely certain of it. Was Quentin Blackwood just saying this to make him worry about his shares and back down? To make him too scared to take the bet so he could just leave with Ivy Sherwood?’

Quentin Blackwood watched Silas’s expression with amusement. Seeing him remain silent for so long, Quentin said, ”If you don’t dare to bet, then get lost.”

”Since this is a bet, I can’t be the only one with stakes on the line. If the woman behind you really is Ivy Sherwood, Uncle, then what are your terms?”

”The bet is only valid for this moment. If it is indeed Ivy Sherwood, I’ll transfer all the shares of DG to you.”

The moment Quentin Blackwood said this, the reporters nearby went wild. This was more than just a good show; it was an all-out war between uncle and nephew—a battle of the century over a woman.

’President Blackwood was actually willing to bet his DG shares, and he was so calm and collected about it, without the slightest hint of panic. He had the look of a man who couldn’t possibly lose, commanding the entire room by himself. Could it be... that this woman really wasn’t Ivy Sherwood?’

’Or was this just a smokescreen, deliberately meant to mislead everyone?’

As spectators to the drama, every single one of them was thrilled beyond belief.

The pressure shifted directly onto Silas Blackwood. Suddenly, he was in a no-win situation.

Silas Blackwood’s fists were clenched, his expression turning ferocious as if he had made a difficult choice. He opened his mouth to speak...