Chapter 607
Naylor shot his best friend a look, scoffing, “There’s no way he actually said it that politely.”
Ivy stifled a laugh and nudged the conversation back to the main topic. “So, are you thinking of getting to know Katrina a little better? Who knows, maybe you two would really hit it off.”
“Katrina’s a genuinely good person–well–mannered, elegant, someone who’s managed to stay above all the drama hér family’s known for.” Naylor’s words made it clear he was well aware of how much baggage the Lester family dragged around.
But he wasn’t turning her down because he was intimidated by the Lesters. The real
reason was-
“A guy like me, with my reputation for partying and not taking things seriously, just isn’t a good match for someone as sweet and innocent as she is. Friends, sure. But a couple?” He let the thought hang, a polite smile covering the blunt truth.
“And honestly, I’m not planning on settling down anytime soon. I wouldn’t want to string Katrina along or waste her time.”
After all that, it really boiled down to one simple fact: Naylor liked women who were bold, spontaneous, and up for a little mischief—and Katrina clearly wasn’t that kind of girl.
Ivy had worked up the nerve to play matchmaker, but seeing how firmly Naylor closed the subject, she knew not to push.
“Alright, I get it. Still, thanks again for helping her out last time.” She let it go with a grateful nod.
“She already thanked me–very sincerely, actually.”
“Good. Now, how about we get back to the game?”
With Jamison’s tips and her own growing confidence, Ivy’s swing got smoother with every round. By the end, she’d even managed to beat Naylor by a stroke.
Jamison came over, took her club from her, and grinned. “That was impressive.”
Ivy’s smile lit up her whole face. “I had a great coach.”
Naylor rolled his eyes at the obvious flirtation, pretending to be disgusted. “Next time, I’m not bringing you two lovebirds.”
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Even with her fair skin, after an hour in the autumn sun, Ivy’s cheeks were tinged pink.
“You two keep playing. We’re going to take a break in the lounge,” Jamison said, giving everyone a wave before leading Ivy over to the shuttle parked by the path.
As they drove past another part of the course, Ivy was gazing at the scenery when she suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
At first, she thought she was imagining things. She nudged Jamison. “Is that… Baillie Windsor?”
Jamison glanced over and spotted a tall man trailing after a woman, handing her a towel and water bottle like some kind of attentive servant.
He looked again, surprised. “Yeah, that’s him.”
Ivy frowned, curiosity piqued.
She studied the woman Baillie was fussing over–a slender, well–kept lady whose age was hard to guess from a distance.
“Do you know her?” she asked Jamison.
He shook his head. “Nope.”
If she’d asked about someone big in the medical field, he’d have a list of names at the ready, but when it came to business types, he just wasn’t interested.
“Must be his new girlfriend. I’m honestly shocked Baillie’s still got time for
romance, considering how things are going for the Windsors.” Ivy muttered, then shrugged and lost interest.
Jamison gave her a sidelong look. “The Windsors haven’t been bothering you lately, have they?”
“Nope. With Windsor Group barely staying afloat, harassing me is probably the last thing on their minds.”
They’d only come to her before because they thought she might be able to bail
them out.
But once they realized the person who’d orchestrated their downfall–the one who’d shorted Windsor Group into disaster–was their own daughter, any hope they’d had must have died on the spot.
“Windsor Group’s always going to be a headache. If you get the chance, just cut ties for good,” Jamison advised. He didn’t want her tangled up with them any longer,
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especially when it only brought her trouble.
“Yeah, I’ve thought about it. Once I start at Quantum Hedge next month, I’ll talk to Edmond about how to handle the Windsors with as little collateral damage as possible.”
Her only goal was to teach the Windsors a lesson, not to see the whole company collapse and leave innocent employees out of work.
Seeing Baillie still had time for golf and girlfriends, it was obvious he’d checked out of the family business.
With things as they were, there was no reason for her to keep holding onto this
mess.
She’d gotten her revenge, vented her anger; the past was done.
They had lunch at the club.
Naylor had already reserved a table.
As their group headed toward the dining area, Ivy suddenly found herself face–to–face with Baillie.
Their eyes met. Ivy assumed he’d rather not acknowledge her, so she kept quiet and started to turn away.
But just as she did, Baillie spoke up. “What, you’re just going to pretend you didn’t see your own brother?”
He knew Jamison was there, so there wasn’t much he could do. Still, he couldn’t help but make things difficult for her–he just couldn’t swallow his pride.
He couldn’t understand how his once–admired little sister, the pride of the family, had changed so much in three years–turning cold, ruthless, cutting all ties.
Thanks to her, the Wind were now in shambles, their reputation in ruins.
Hearing her brother’s voice, Ivy paused, genuinely surprised.
She’d thought Baillie would cut her out of his life forever.
But since he’d spoken first, she owed him the courtesy of a reply.
With a polite smile she said, “Mr. Windsor, you’re looking quite dashing. Seems like things are going well for you.”
“Dashing?” Baillie actually let out a bitter laugh. “You really can twist the knife with a smile these days.”
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As if any trust–fund kid on the verge of bankruptcy could be called “dashing.”
While the siblings traded barbs, a woman in her early forties approached.
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Chapter 608