Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Ivy Sherwood’s eyes flickered. This day had come sooner than she expected.

But if Quentin Blackwood was serious, then she...

The moment the words left Quentin Blackwood’s mouth, he felt a pang of regret, as if he had just lost something important.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. Just as he was thinking about whether to explain himself, he heard Ivy Sherwood, her head lowered, whisper softly, ”Okay.”

Breaking up just like that. So decisive.

The words to make her stay were on the tip of his tongue, but Quentin Blackwood forced them back down. His gaze turned chillingly cold as he bit out a single word: ”Fine.”

’Fine. Just great!’

He turned on his heel and strode out of the lounge.

He didn’t take a single thing he had won at the auction, his departure swift and resolute.

Ivy Sherwood watched his retreating back. Her hand twitched, as if to reach for him, but he was moving too fast. In the end, she could only watch helplessly as he left.

It felt like a piece of her heart had been carved out, leaving a painful, hollow ache.

She had long known this day would come and had been preparing for it. She thought she would be able to face it with ease, but now that it was here, why did it hurt so much?

She had tried to restrain herself, to keep from falling for him, but she had ended up liking him anyway. And that affection, it seemed, was much stronger than she had realized.

So many people were in love with Quentin Blackwood. She...

Ivy Sherwood lowered her gaze. ’I probably don’t stand a chance.’

From now on, she and Quentin Blackwood would probably have no more contact. It might even be impossible to see him again.

She had never indulged in fantasies or held extravagant hopes, so why did it still hurt so much now?

...

Ivy Sherwood remained in the lounge, and Quentin Blackwood never returned.

Later, Ivy Sherwood went downstairs and saw Quentin Blackwood’s back as he spoke with others. He was always the most dazzling presence in any crowd. There were so many people here today, yet one’s eyes were always drawn to him, making him the center of attention even if he was standing in a corner.

He navigated these interactions with ease, downing one glass of wine after another.

’He has a weak stomach; he really shouldn’t be drinking so much. Otherwise, he’ll have an upset stomach when he gets back.’

After a moment’s thought, Ivy Sherwood sent a message to the butler at Norhaven, telling him to make sure Quentin Blackwood drank his hangover soup—to watch him drink every last drop.

Ivy Sherwood mostly stayed out of sight for the latter half of the banquet.

Soon, it was late into the night, and the cruise ship docked at the pier once more.

After all, Quentin Blackwood had brought Ivy Sherwood as his date. Even if their relationship was over, they should still disembark together.

As they were leaving, Ivy Sherwood saw that Quentin Blackwood seemed to have no intention of taking the calligraphy scroll and the diamond. She asked, ”What about these?”

Quentin Blackwood glanced at them, his tone icy. ”Throw them away.”

Just after he said that, he added, ”And don’t sell them either!”

Ivy Sherwood: ”...”

’I wasn’t even going to say I’d buy them.’

How could Ivy Sherwood bear to throw them away? She had no choice but to take them to the car.

It was the same car she had arrived in with Quentin Blackwood. After she got in, however, he didn’t follow. Instead, he instructed the driver, ”Take her home.”

”You...” ’Aren’t you getting in?’

Ivy Sherwood had just started to speak when Quentin Blackwood turned and left without another word.

It seemed he didn’t want to speak to her.

Ivy Sherwood wanted to get out of the car, but the driver started the engine. ”Miss Sherwood,” the driver said, ”President Blackwood instructed me to see you home safely.”

”Thank you...”

One luxury car after another pulled away from the pier, leaving the access road.

Passing pedestrians who knew their cars stared wide-eyed at the procession. What a feast for the eyes—so many were luxurious, limited-edition models.

Ivy Sherwood was soon dropped off at her doorstep. As she got out, she initially wanted to leave the calligraphy and the diamond for Quentin Blackwood, but she felt that if she left them in the car, he would definitely just throw them away.

After a moment’s hesitation, she took them with her.

Once upstairs, Ivy Sherwood realized she was still wearing Quentin Blackwood’s suit jacket.

The jacket had already warmed to her body temperature. She wasn’t sure if he would want it back. ’He has so many clothes; he probably doesn’t care about this one jacket, right?’

The night was deep. Ivy Sherwood removed her makeup and took a shower, but she still didn’t feel the least bit sleepy when she came out.

She went to her study. The moment she opened her laptop, she noticed the finance books by her side.

She opened one and flipped through it. The pages were densely covered in Quentin Blackwood’s handwriting.

It was as if he had seeped into every part of her life, making it impossible to go back to how things were before.

...

「In the hospital, Silas Blackwood was wheeled into the operating room.」

The driver had notified Caleb Blackwood, and he and Mrs. Blackwood rushed to the hospital.

The hospital was quiet at night, the silence broken only by the sound of Mrs. Blackwood’s desperate wails.

”How could this happen? What has my son done to deserve this? Silas, who on earth did he offend?”

”Why is his life so bitter? Why is our whole family’s life so bitter? What did Silas do to deserve this? If anything happens to him, how am I supposed to live!” Mrs. Blackwood clutched at her heart, her voice exceedingly loud.

Caleb Blackwood, standing beside her, was getting fed up with the racket. ”Can you just shut up!”

”Me, shut up? If you hadn’t abandoned our son and left on your own, would he be like this now, lying in an operating room? He was just discharged a few days ago!”

”This is our only son! Don’t you feel any heartache? All you ever think about is the company, putting so much pressure on him! If something happens to our son, I’m not done with you!”

”Enough!” Caleb Blackwood roared. ”Why don’t you take a good look at how disappointing the son you gave birth to is!”

’With the things Silas has done... if it had been anyone else who messed things up this badly for me, I would have had them taken care of by now.’

”What’s that supposed to mean? The son I gave birth to? Could I have done it alone? Isn’t he your flesh and blood too!”

Mrs. Blackwood’s shouting turned into sobbing. ”You’ve been so strict with him since he was a child. Do you have any idea how scared of you he is?”

”He tries so hard! He just wants to do everything right to get your approval, to hear you praise him for once! But you always find fault with him, here and there. He’s your son, not some tool! Are you trying to drive him to his death?”

”Alright, enough with the talk about death. Wasn’t his condition stable when he was admitted? He’ll be fine,” Caleb Blackwood said, his face dark.

’That Silas, he’s a real troublemaker.’

’Causing me so much trouble day after day. I’m strict with Silas, but who am I doing it all for? Isn’t it all for him?’

’One day, the Blackwood Family will be in Silas’s hands. If he stays like this, how can I possibly rest easy?’

’One day, when I’m gone, everything in the Blackwood Group will belong to Silas.’

Mrs. Blackwood closed her eyes and pressed her palms together, praying to Bodhisattva and murmuring under her breath. She looked one step away from falling to her knees.

After a very long time, the doors to the operating room opened. Mrs. Blackwood rushed forward. ”Doctor, how is my son?”

The doctor looked at the family and shook his head. ”He’s not in any mortal danger. However, the injury is in a... sensitive area. It was too severe, and too much time has passed. We’re past the optimal window for treatment. It’s very likely that for the rest of his life, he’ll be...”

The words struck her like a bolt from the blue. Mrs. Blackwood’s legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed to the floor.