Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Ivy Sherwood went to the restaurant with Elijah Hawthorne. Perhaps it was because of Quentin Blackwood’s appearance, but Ivy’s mind was elsewhere the entire time.

Elijah Hawthorne said, ”I remember they have hot springs here. Want to go for a soak tomorrow?”

Ivy Sherwood wasn’t interested. ”If you’d like to go, Mr. Hawthorne, please go ahead. I’ll pass.”

”What’s the fun if you don’t go? How about this: if you join me at the hot springs tomorrow, I’ll let your brother off the hook. What do you say? I know the Mercer Family isn’t afraid of me, but if I decide to make trouble for them, I can still skin them alive. Believe it?”

Of course Ivy Sherwood believed him. She knew that this madman, Elijah Hawthorne, always did what he said he would.

The next day came quickly, and Ivy Sherwood arrived at the designated location that afternoon.

The resort’s hot springs were located on the mountain behind it. The area was tranquil and serene, like a secluded paradise.

Elijah Hawthorne had booked out all the hot springs, so there was no one else around—just him and Ivy Sherwood.

When Ivy Sherwood arrived, Elijah Hawthorne was already there.

He was sitting in the pool, with red wine and a cigar placed beside him. He looked utterly relaxed, as if he were truly there to enjoy himself.

Elijah Hawthorne was bare-chested, revealing an excellent physique. His pecs were full, and his chiseled abs were half-submerged in the water. His muscles were firm but not ostentatious.

However, his body was covered in scars. It was hard to tell what had caused them, but it was clear Elijah Hawthorne had been injured many times.

Elijah Hawthorne looked at Ivy Sherwood. ”What, captivated by my physique? So whose is better, mine or Quentin Blackwood’s?”

Ivy Sherwood: ”...”

’There was simply no comparison.’

”Did you call me here just to talk about this, Mr. Hawthorne?” Ivy Sherwood was dressed conservatively, even wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants, showing no intention of getting into the pool.

”I just invited you here to relax. Nothing more. On the other hand, Miss Sherwood, being bundled up like that seems a bit insincere, don’t you think?”

”You only asked me to come here, Mr. Hawthorne. You didn’t say I had to get in. I’m not feeling very well, so I won’t be able to join you.”

Elijah Hawthorne said, ”Well, that’s a real shame. I was hoping I’d get to admire Miss Sherwood’s perfect figure.”

Ivy Sherwood pressed her lips together, then after a moment, she asked, ”Why do you have so many scars on your body?”

”Is this your way of showing concern for me?”

”You’re reading too much into it.”

”Isn’t it normal for a man to have a few scars? You think these family power struggles are a game? Do you have any idea how many people want me dead? I’m just lucky I only ended up with a few injuries.”

If he hadn’t been lucky, he’d already be dead.

Ivy Sherwood knew that Elijah Hawthorne spoke of it lightly, but only he truly knew what it was like to endure those hails of bullets, those betrayals and ambushes, and how he had managed to escape with his life.

Elijah Hawthorne held out a glass of wine. ”Since I can’t enjoy the hot springs with Miss Sherwood, sharing a drink isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

Ivy Sherwood looked at the glass. ”Sorry, but I’m afraid you might have drugged it, Mr. Hawthorne.”

Elijah Hawthorne scoffed. ”Is that the kind of person you think I am?”

”I’m sure you know what kind of person you are better than I do, Mr. Hawthorne. As a woman, I have to be careful and protect myself when I’m out alone.”

Elijah Hawthorne’s smile deepened. ”Then why did you still dare to come here? There’s no one else around. If I really wanted to do something to you, do you think anyone would come to save you, even if you screamed your lungs out?”

Ivy Sherwood, however, remained perfectly calm. ”My brother is waiting just outside. You won’t get the chance, Mr. Hawthorne.”

Elijah Hawthorne admired her expression. ’I didn’t expect her to be such an icy beauty.’

’She’s certainly clear-headed and rational. Not easy to fool.’

”The one from the Mercer Family... he’s really your brother?” Elijah Hawthorne changed the subject.

”That has nothing to do with you, does it, Mr. Hawthorne?”

Elijah Hawthorne downed the wine he had offered to Ivy Sherwood in one gulp. ”How could it have nothing to do with me? Like I said last night, we might have a chance to become family.”

”Are you interested in me, Mr. Hawthorne, or do you just want to use me to provoke Quentin Blackwood?” Ivy Sherwood asked bluntly.

Elijah Hawthorne never beat around the bush. ”Both.”

”Don’t you want to provoke Quentin Blackwood? Don’t you want to let him know you’re doing just fine, that you’re not some unwanted woman?” Elijah Hawthorne asked in return, his eyes narrowing.

Ivy Sherwood replied, ”No. He doesn’t need to know if I’m doing well or not. Don’t you think that’s childish, Mr. Hawthorne?”

”Not at all. I only know one thing: if I’m doing well, I want my nemesis to know it. And if I’m not doing well, he sure as hell isn’t going to have a good time either.”

Ivy Sherwood: ”...”

Elijah Hawthorne stood up in the water. He was very tall, and as he stepped out of the pool, he walked toward Ivy Sherwood step by step.

”Tell me, what do you think would happen if I slept with you?”

For a moment, Ivy Sherwood couldn’t tell if Elijah Hawthorne was being serious or just joking. She stepped back. ”Mr. Hawthorne, that’s not a funny joke.”

”You think I’m joking? Where do you think I don’t measure up to Quentin Blackwood?” By the time he finished speaking, Elijah Hawthorne was standing right in front of her.

”I...” Just as Ivy Sherwood opened her mouth, before she could say anything, footsteps sounded from behind her.

Elijah Hawthorne raised his eyes. When he saw Quentin Blackwood, he wasn’t the least bit surprised.

’This was Quentin Blackwood’s territory, after all. He could clear out everyone else, but he couldn’t get rid of Quentin himself.’

’But even if he couldn’t get rid of him, he could still thoroughly annoy him. After all, he held Quentin’s weakness in his hands right now.’

”President Blackwood, what a coincidence. How is it that every time Ivy and I are on a date, we run into you?” Elijah Hawthorne deliberately emphasized the word ”date.”

Ivy Sherwood had her back to the entrance. When she heard Quentin Blackwood’s name, she trembled.

”Don’t tell me you secretly followed us, President Blackwood? Do you really have that kind of fetish?”

Quentin Blackwood walked straight over. ”This is my property. Why can’t I be here?”

”Of course you can. It’s just that, Ivy, it looks like we’ll have to find another place for our dates.”

”Why change locations? I think this place is just fine.” Suddenly, Ivy Sherwood didn’t want to run away anymore. It was impossible for her to avoid Quentin Blackwood forever. If she hid every time, she’d never be able to stop hiding.

’It was better to just face him openly.’

A flash of admiration flickered in Elijah Hawthorne’s eyes, and he quickly played along with her. ”You’re right. It’s not a private area. If someone wants to watch, let them watch.”

After all, they were here for the hot springs. Though Ivy Sherwood had a jacket on, she was wearing a swimsuit underneath.

She had just taken off her jacket and was about to step into the pool when a piece of clothing was suddenly draped over her shoulders.

The scent of fir seemed to grow stronger. Ivy Sherwood had just turned her head when the man grabbed her by the wrist.

”Come with me.” Quentin Blackwood gripped Ivy Sherwood’s hand and started pulling her away.

His grip was tight, and a sharp pain shot through her wrist. ”Ow, that hurts...”

The moment the word left her lips, she felt the pressure on her wrist ease considerably.

Ivy Sherwood shook off Quentin Blackwood’s hand. ”What are you doing? I’m not going with you!”

But in the next second, Quentin Blackwood wrapped one arm around Ivy Sherwood’s waist and, with a powerful move, hoisted her onto his shoulder.

No matter how much Ivy Sherwood struggled against his shoulder, he refused to put her down.