Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

That evening, Ivy Sherwood arrived at the appointed place.

And with her, of course, was Quentin Blackwood.

The club was owned by Julian Grant. He always kept his private room reserved for entertaining friends.

Julian Grant and Graham Sherwood were already waiting in the room. The two had opened a bottle and were chatting idly.

They had even made a bet. ”I think Quentin’s definitely fallen for her,” Graham said. ”We haven’t kept in close touch, but when has that unfeeling work machine ever helped a woman like this?”

”I’ll bet fifty cents. I think something’s going on between those two!” Julian Grant declared, betting on Ivy.

Graham said, ”You’re so cheap! You’re betting fifty cents on Third Master Blackwood? Aren’t you afraid he’s going to kick your ass when he gets here?”

”What’s there to be afraid of? It’s not like he’s going to eat us alive. Besides, we’ve got Ivy here, right? She can definitely hold Quentin back. Just tell me, are you in or out?”

”I don’t think it’ll be that easy. Quentin has seen all the ups and downs of life. He’s not the type to fall for someone so easily.”

”Who can say for sure? There’s no logic to liking someone. Sometimes, the more impossible it seems, the more possible it is.” In any case, Julian thought Quentin’s behavior was completely out of character. When had Quentin ever helped someone so readily?

”So, are you in or out?” Julian felt like he had already won.

”I...” Just as Graham started to speak, he heard a sound at the door.

The door to the private room opened, and Ivy Sherwood and Quentin Blackwood walked in together.

Ivy had changed back into her familiar guise, her face plain and ordinary.

”Quentin, Julian’s making bets about you! For fifty cents, no less!” Graham immediately threw Julian under the bus.

But the three of them were good friends, and no one ever took their usual banter seriously.

”Is that so? What’s the bet?” Quentin walked in, leading Ivy toward a seat.

Julian and Graham immediately made space, letting the two sit between them.

”Nothing, nothing! We were just betting on what time you’d arrive.” Julian quickly changed the subject.

If he joked about Ivy, Quentin might actually beat him to a pulp.

”I’ll order more drinks! Tonight, Ivy and I aren’t going home until we’re drunk!” Julian called for more alcohol, and soon the table was covered in bottles.

Julian didn’t let any staff stay to serve them. He sent the waiters out, and then, the boss himself personally poured everyone a drink.

As an entertainment industry boss, Julian was used to drinking heavily for business, so he poured generous amounts.

He poured Quentin half a glass, and Quentin said nothing. But when he went to pour for Ivy, Quentin blocked him.

”She has a cold. She can’t drink that much.”

Julian shot Graham a look that seemed to say, ’See? What did I tell you?’

After a quick exchange of glances, Julian had just lifted the bottle again when he noticed the watch on Quentin’s wrist.

He excitedly grabbed Quentin’s wrist. ”Holy shit, so it was you!”

”What?” Quentin frowned, not understanding why Julian was suddenly so agitated.

Julian stared at the watch on Quentin’s wrist, his eyes shining.

”Do you have any idea how long I’ve had my eye on this watch? This is a one-of-a-kind, global limited edition! I was wondering who was lucky enough to snag it when even my fast fingers failed. I can’t believe it was you!”

Julian even reached out to touch it. ”Be honest with me, did you use some kind of bot or an illegal program to get it?”

Quentin pulled his hand back and shoved Julian away in distaste. ”No.”

He hadn’t been paying attention; he had no idea the watch was a one-of-a-kind item and so hard to get.

”Then how’d you get it?” Julian wouldn’t give up. ”How about I buy it from you? You have so many watches, plenty that are more expensive than this one. You won’t miss it.”

”Not for sale.”

”Why not? Oh, I get it! You think our brotherly bond is more important, so you’re not going to sell it to me... you’re going to give it to me, right? Your little bro is eternally grateful, Big Bro!” As he spoke, Julian nearly dropped to his knees in gratitude in front of Quentin.

Quentin shoved him away. ”Get lost. I’m not giving it to you.”

”Old Man Bowers, you’re too cold-blooded!” Julian’s eyes were practically glued to the watch.

”Is this the first day you’ve known me?” Quentin was completely unfazed. He was cold and heartless, and he knew it.

”Well, in that case, you have to drink a couple more glasses today as punishment!”

Quentin didn’t mind that. He picked up his glass and downed the drink in one go.

”Now that’s more like it, Old Man Bowers! Still, you won’t give up this watch for anything. It must be really important to you. Don’t tell me it was a gift?”

Julian was just making a casual comment, but then he noticed Ivy’s ears seemed to have turned red.

’Don’t tell me I actually hit the mark? Could that watch have been a gift from Ivy?’

”Alright, then I don’t want it anymore! Let’s drink, let’s drink! Ivy, let me toast you.”

Ivy raised her glass as well. ”I should be the one toasting you. You’ve helped me so much, Mr. Grant. Thanks to you, all that stuff online... I don’t even know how to thank you properly.”

”Don’t mention it. I barely did anything. I really don’t deserve your thanks.” Julian glanced at Quentin. In truth, Quentin had done most of the work.

Or rather, before he even had a chance to act, Quentin had already beaten him to it.

”In that case, I’ll drink first as a sign of respect.” With that, Julian drained his glass.

Just as Ivy was about to drink, Quentin’s hand reached out to stop her.

”She has a cold and can’t drink. Get her some juice instead.”

”This isn’t a bar, but my club has always only served alcohol. We don’t have soft drinks. You want me to get her some milk, too?”

’Being this protective... does Quentin even know what he’s doing?’

Julian looked at Quentin’s expression. ’Probably not, right?’

’Sometimes, a person’s subconscious concern is something even they don’t notice. They have no idea they’re paying someone that much attention.’

”I’m fine. My cold is already better, and I’m not on any antibiotics, so it should be okay to drink.” Ivy also knew not to be a wet blanket when people were drinking.

However, before she could drink, Julian stopped her. ”No, no, I was just kidding just now. I’ll have someone bring over a non-alcoholic drink. It’s my fault, I didn’t know you had a cold.”

Julian immediately had someone bring a new drink. Ivy was surprised to see that what they brought was, in fact, milk.

Amidst all the red wine and liquor, the milk looked completely out of place.

”Here you go, Ivy. Now you can drink.”

”Thank you. Then next time you’re free, Mr. Grant, I’ll make it up to you.” Ivy held the glass of milk. Of course, she knew Quentin was just looking out for her.

”So straightforward! Then it’s a deal.” Julian then added deliberately, ”Ivy, I’m really starting to like you more and more.”

The words had barely left his mouth when a sharp gaze shot his way. Julian wasn’t the least bit surprised.