Chapter 400
Otherwise, there’s no way they’d let her show up in front of everyone dressed like that.
This was nothing more than parading their “new darling” in front of the clients, showing off just how sexy and irresistible she was.
“Pity her?” Ivy let out a cold laugh. “Why would I? Am I crazy?”
Small–minded, jealous to the core, and viciously heartless.
Someone like that doesn’t deserve an ounce of sympathy, no matter how much she suffers.
Besides, she brought all this on herself.
Jamison nodded. “As long as you feel that way. I just don’t want you to go soft when you see her utterly miserable.”
“Not a chance. I’m actually looking forward to it–looking forward to the moment she regrets framing me, regrets not coming clean and taking the prison sentence herself.”
Ivy was sure it wouldn’t be long before Emma realized that even a jail cell would be a thousand times better than forcing her way into the Carter family’s high society
The engagement party began.
The elders of the Windsor family and the Carter family stood together on stage.
The contrast couldn’t have been sharper: the Carters stood stiff and distant, while the Windsors wore grins so wide they looked ready to split their faces.
Ivy and Jamison didn’t bother joining the crowd in the banquet hall, but even from the lounge area, they could hear every word from the stage.
Mr. Adkins was in rare form, delivering a rousing speech. First, he offered his blessings to the couple. Then, he launched into all sorts of grand promises about how the Windsors and the Carters would work hand in hand, reaching new heights together, and how the future had never looked brighter.
Ivy couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Jamison turned to her, eyes warm with affection. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m just thinking–the more smug they are now, the bigger the mess they’re going to face soon.”
12
Chapter 400
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “How soon are we talking?”
Jamison knew she’d been quietly working on acquiring Windsor Group shares ever since she returned from Westshire. Business warfare wasn’t really his thing, but he trusted Ivy’s abilities, so he never pried.
“Give it a month, tops,” Ivy replied.
As she spoke, she suddenly turned to him, a playful smile lighting up her beautiful face. “Dr. Ludwig, could you help me out again, pretty please?”
Jamison’s eyebrows arched, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Let’s hear it.”
“These past few days, I’ve nearly bought up all the loose Windsor Group shares out there. According to regulations, if I want to keep increasing my stake, I’ll have to issue a mandatory takeover offer. But I’m not ready to show my hand yet. Can you find someone to act as my front?”
Ivy knew there was risk in this sort of thing. No one liked getting dragged into trouble, which meant she’d have to ask her own man for help.
Jamison chuckled, reaching over to give her cheek a gentle squeeze. “You make it sound like such a big deal. I’ll call Boyd tomorrow and have him take care of it.”
“Okay.” Ivy caught his hand in hers, then frowned a little. “Are you sure it won’t inconvenience him?”
“Inconvenience? Please. Professionally, you’re his boss’s wife; personally, you’re his distant cousin. Who else should he be helping, if not you?”
Ivy relaxed. “Alright, once it’s done, I’ll make sure to thank him properly.”
“Thank him?” Jamison raised an eyebrow, feigning indignation. “I think you’re confused. Your husband’s the one helping you–why are you thanking someone
else?”
Ivy grinned, seeing right through his little bout of jealousy. “Come on, you’re my husband. There’s no need to be so formal. Or would you rather I go back to how I was before, keeping a tally of every favor, making sure I pay you back down to the last cent?”
Ivy had always hated owing anyone anything. Before they got married, every time Jamison did her a favor, she’d insist on returning it somehow–often leaving him both amused and exasperated.