Jamison stepped back into the living room just as the building manager approached him. “Miss Windsor is the new owner now. If you have any questions, please speak with her directly.”
With the rightful owner present, Jamison figured it was his cue to leave.
But before he could even turn to go, Ivy’s voice rang out from the kitchen, sharp and accusing. “You’re leaving already?”
He paused, glancing back. “What, is there something else?”
Her expression darkened, and she stormed toward him, clearly ready for a confrontation.
“This place used to be yours,” she snapped. “I’ve barely moved in, and there’s already a disaster! The whole living room is flooded. The carpets, the furniture, and–ah!”
She’d been so intent on her tirade, she didn’t notice the puddle on the floor. Rushing forward, her foot slipped out from under her.
Her arms flailed wildly as she lost balance, tipping backward. If she hit the floor like that, she’d be lucky to escape with just a bruised tailbone–she might even smash the back of her head.
Poor thing, she was already half–deaf from a slap that morning. If she took a spill now, it’d be adding insult to injury.
All she could think was, This is it–today’s really cursed. And in front of Jamison, of all people! Could this get any more humiliating?
But just as she braced herself for the impact, a strong hand grabbed her arm and yanked her in the opposite direction. The world spun. Her neck nearly snapped from the force, but at the last second, she was jerked upright.
Unfortunately, the sudden tug threw her off balance again, and she pitched forward. Jamison watched it all unfold but didn’t move to catch her. He simply let her fall, and Ivy landed on her knees at his feet.
For a second, she was so stunned she couldn’t even process what had happened.
The others in the room gasped, then sighed with relief when they realized she hadn’t actually hurt herself.
Chapter 120
Ivy’s heart hammered in her chest. She stayed kneeling for several seconds, dazed, her ears ringing with the rush of blood.
She slowly realized her arm was still caught in Jamison’s iron grip, held upright like a flag.
“Miss Windsor, it’s not Christmas yet. Are you really going to kneel down and thank me this ceremoniously?” Jamison’s voice was laced with mockery. He knew she was still in shock, but his habit for sarcasm was hard to suppress.
Ivy shot him a murderous glare from beneath a curtain of hair, her eyes burning with fury.
Sure, he’d kept her from braining herself–but did he have to do it like that?
Jamison caught her glare and smirked, lowering his head. “What? Upset I didn’t sweep you up in my arms like a damsel in distress? Watched too many soap operas, have you?”
“Jamison, you-”
“Ivy, what on earth are you doing?” called Katrina, walking in from outside just as Ivy was about to explode.
She stopped dead, eyes wide at the scene–her best friend kneeling at Jamison’s feet, surrounded by a crowd of building staff and a living room slick with water. “What happened in here? Dr. Ludwig, you’re here too?”
From Katrina’s perspective, it looked as though Ivy was clinging to Jamison’s leg, begging for mercy.
Horrified that Katrina might get the wrong idea, Ivy forgot all about arguing and scrambled to get up.
But Jamison chose that moment to let go of her arm. With her support gone, she lost her balance and pitched forward again.
“Careful!” Katrina rushed over, catching her friend by the arm and hauling her upright. “Are you okay? Did you fall?”
“Yeah, the floor’s slippery from all the water. Be careful, yourself,” Ivy muttered, wincing as her knees throbbed.
She had to admit, Jamison had saved her from cracking her skull, and the way he’d pulled her arm softened the impact. But that didn’t mean she had to like him.
Back on her feet, Ivy shot him a death glare, her anger undimmed.
2/3
Chapter 120
Jamison’s face remained cool and unreadable. He knew exactly why she was
furious, but he couldn’t resist taunting her. “What, blaming me for letting go of your hand now?”
Ivy clenched her jaw so tightly her teeth ȧched. How could someone so infuriating exist? He was handsome, sophisticated, came from an impeccable background, even a skilled doctor–but his personality was absolutely insufferable.
Katrina, still bewildered, glanced between the two of them, then took in the soaked living room and the building staff mopping up. “Did a pipe burst or something? What happened here?”
“Yeah, the kitchen pipe gave out,” Ivy replied, still glaring at Jamison. “Flooded the whole place–nearly took out the elevator, too.”
Katrina’s eyes widened. “You’ve got to be kidding. What rotten luck.”
Ignoring her friend’s shock, Ivy pressed on, turning her ire back on Jamison. “Mr. Jamison, shouldn’t you be responsible for this?”
Jamison’s expression didn’t flicker. “Everything was working perfectly when I sold you the place. Who’s to say this wasn’t caused by how you used it after moving in?”
3/3