HewasatleastsmartenoughnottoswalloweverythingEmmasaid. He was at least smart enough not to swallow everything Emma said.

Based on what he knew of his uncle, even if Ivy had made the first move, Jamison certainly wouldn’t have gone along unless he was at least interested. Otherwise, he would never have shown up for dinner.

Just imagining his own uncle getting involved with the woman he loved – Micah’s entire worldview began to collapse.

The upscale restaurant buzzed with soft music and an elegant ambiance.

Suddenly, a burst of commotion drew the attention of several diners. Even the restaurant manager hurried over to check what was happening.

Jamison, unwilling to make a public scene, shot his nephew a warning glance, his eyes simmering with anger. “Go home. If you have something to say, we’ll talk later.”

“I’m not leaving.” Micah, stubborn as ever, dragged out a chair and sat down hard. “I want an explanation from both of you.”

Ivy let out a short, incredulous laugh. “And who do you think you are? Why should I explain myself to you?”

Emma jumped in, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Sister, Mom is in the hospital and you haven’t even bothered to visit her, but you’ve got plenty of time to cozy up to our uncle? Your ambition really knows no bounds.”

What? She was seducing Jamison?

Ivy shot Emma a venomous glare. “Emma, keep running your mouth and I swear I’ll-”

Before she could finish, Jamison’s words cut through the tension like a knife. “Miss Emma, you’ve got it backwards. I’m the one pursuing your sister.”

Wha-?

Ivy’s anger hadn’t even found release before Jamison’s admission hit her like a thunderclap. She turned to him, eyes wide in disbelief.

“What are you talking about?” Her voice trembled, her face frozen in shock.

Emma was just as stunned, left speechless by the revelation.

Micah, on the other hand, was still burning with barely contained rage. He’d known it – his worst suspicions were true.

Jamison’s gaze swept across the table, finally lingering on Ivy’s striking features. The icy mask on his face melted away. He spoke each word with deliberate clarity: “Ivy, I want to be with you.”

“You…” Ivy was floored, unable to find her words.

Emma sat in stunned silence, but her shock was quickly eclipsed by a surge of envy – furious, wild jealousy.

Why did every man in this city seem bewitched by Ivy? Even Mr. Jamison, who was known for his stoic indifference toward women, had fallen under her spell.

“No way…” Emma muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. Suddenly, she blurted out, “Uncle, she… she was trafficked before! Even if she wasn’t infected with anything… she was still abused by old men. With your status-”

Before Emma could finish, Ivy grabbed her glass of juice and hurled it straight at Emma’s face. Juice splattered everywhere, soaking Emma and splashing all over Micah.

“Ivy, what the-!” Emma sputtered, dripping and furious.

But Ivy slammed her glass down, utterly uninterested in engaging further. She grabbed her purse and strode out without looking back.

“Ivy…” Micah leapt up to follow, but Jamison’s commanding voice stopped him cold. “Sit down.” At the same time, Emma, ignoring her own soaked state, grabbed Micah’s arm and yanked him back into his seat.

A waiter brought over some clean napkins, but the mess Emma was in couldn’t be fixed by a handful of paper towels. She had no choice but to hurry off to the restroom.

Suddenly, only uncle and nephew remained at the table.

Jamison glanced in the direction Ivy had gone, unable to hide his concern.

But right now, he had to deal with Micah first.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at home? How did you get out?” His voice was cold, anger tightly leashed.

Micah ignored the question, staring Jamison down. “Uncle, Ivy is my girlfriend. What you’re doing is incest!”