“Ivy, you came to see the exhibition too.” Baillie approached with a gentle expression and an affable tone, as though there had never been any tension between them.
Ivy glanced at the pair and offered a wry, knowing smile. “So, made up already?”
Lauren’s face tightened with embarrassment. She turned away, letting out a cold huff.
Baillie ignored the jab, choosing instead to say, “Mom’s back home from the hospital, but she’s still not in great shape. And now that Emma’s broken off her engagement with Micah, Mom’s even more upset. If you have time, come home and visit her. She keeps asking about you.”
Ivy was taken aback by his sudden warmth and civility. Just a few days ago, he had been screaming at her over the phone, spitting venom with every word.
But it only took a moment to see through him. Emma and Micah had called off their engagement. That meant the Windsor family’s little plan to tie themselves to the Shepherds was dead in the water.
This sudden change in attitude could only mean one thing: they’d realized she wasn’t actually sick, and now Micah was pursuing her. Their new hopes for “marrying up” had shifted squarely onto her shoulders.
Or maybe, they’d also caught wind of Jamison’s interest in her, and now they were sucking up for that reason?
If that was the case, the Windsors really had become the poster family for opportunism.
No wonder Jamison had said on the phone the other day – Emma doesn’t get to decide; it’s your gold-digging father pulling the strings.
See? Even outsiders knew exactly what the Windsors were after.
Ivy smiled to herself, but didn’t bother answering Baillie. Instead, she turned to Lauren. “Ms. Miller, did you hear? Micah and Emma are over. Didn’t you have a thing for him? Now’s your chance.”
“Ivy!” Baillie snapped, his face darkening. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you?”
She glanced at him, her voice dripping with mockery. “And there goes Mr. Windsor’s mask – what was that, three seconds?”
Baillie’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Lauren’s face was equally sour. “Micah? That guy’s a total sleaze. Only an idiot would want him. I was just curious, that’s all. If someone handed him to me now, I’d be disgusted.”
With that one line, Lauren managed to insult both Ivy and Emma.
But Ivy remained perfectly calm, speaking slowly and deliberately. “You know, a person’s character depends a lot on who’s standing beside them. When Micah was with me, he was a perfect gentleman – polite, charming, everyone adored him. Socialites were lining up for a chance with him.”
“But after he got together with Emma…” Ivy shook her head with a complicated expression, feigning regret. “You’re right, he turned into exactly what you said – a complete jerk. Shame, really.”
Lauren shot her a sidelong glance. “Wow, you really do love to flatter yourself.”
“Just stating facts.” Ivy’s smile was sweet as sugar. She looked between the two of them and, in a tone of mock concern, added, “So Ms. Miller, you and Mr. Windsor should be careful. Wouldn’t want Mr. Windsor to end up just like Mr. Shepherd.”
“That’s enough, Ivy!” Baillie finally lost it, the last traces of politeness vanishing. His face dark, his words practically spat out: “You think I want to cozy up to you? The Windsor family raised you for twenty years, and this is how you repay us? Mom’s sick because of you, and you can’t even be bothered to visit her. All you care about is enjoying yourself out here.”
Lauren couldn’t hold back any longer either. “What, you think a pretty face is all it takes? Found yourself some sugar daddy, didn’t you? The purse, the dress – you think we don’t know who paid for all that?”
“Lauren, shut up! Look who’s talking – you’re the one living off some old man!” Katrina shot back, utterly unbothered by courtesy.
That outburst immediately drew stares from the people around them. Even the gallery staff hurried over, concerned. After all, an art exhibition was supposed to be a civilized, refined affair – shouting and drama were a good way to get thrown out.