Chapter 20
He let out a cold scoff. "That apology was utterly empty. Weren’t you once the darling of high society? Now all that’s left is some brash, uncultured countrywoman?”
Naylor’s eyes widened in alarm. “Jamison!”
That was way over the line. It was like rubbing salt into an open wound.
Ivy clenched her fists, biting her lower lip as she looked at him. After a brief hesitation, she finally asked, “What kind of apology do you want?”
Jamison smiled, taking his time as he replied, “A full bow, ninety degrees. And say – loudly – ‘Dr. Ludwig, I’m sorry. I was wrong.’”
Ivy stared at him, eyes round with humiliation.
Naylor tried again to intervene. “Jamison, come on. That’s too much.”
But Jamison was unmoved. No one had ever dared insult or disrespect him like this. Sure, she’d had a rough life – but none of it was his doing. Why should he be expected to show endless patience and forgiveness?
Ivy stood her ground, the moment frozen in tense silence.
Just then, Katrina rushed over, looping her arm through Ivy’s and shooting a worried glance her way. She turned to Jamison, apologizing repeatedly, “I’m so sorry, Dr. Ludwig. We got it wrong – this is all a misunderstanding.” She was clearly frightened; she never imagined her best friend would end up insulting Dr. Ludwig! Everyone knew Dr. Ludwig was not only brilliant and highly respected, but also notoriously aloof and difficult to approach. Worse yet, he was a whole generation above them – maybe not that much older, but definitely their senior in every sense.
Jamison tilted his chin, his authority absolute. “I want her to apologize.”
Katrina’s voice trembled with anxiety. “Dr. Ludwig, Ivy was just trying to stand up for me,”
But Ivy pulled Katrina back, then bowed deeply – ninety degrees – right there in front of the entire restaurant. She raised her voice, “Dr. Ludwig, I’m sorry. I was wrong.” Only then did Jamison give a small, satisfied smirk, though his eyes stayed icy and unreadable. All around, the other diners turned to stare.
Naylor stepped in, trying to smooth things over. “It’s all just a misunderstanding – now it’s cleared up, that’s what matters.”
“Thank you. Sorry again for disturbing your meal.” Katrina kept bowing her head in apology, then quickly dragged Ivy toward the exit.
A few tables away sat Sammy Ludwick – the very man who’d been pestering Katrina. Seeing Katrina about to leave without even speaking to him, he jumped up and hurried after her.
“Katrina, what’s that supposed to mean? You brought someone here just to yell at me?” Sammy grabbed Katrina’s arm, scowling fiercely.
Katrina, emboldened by her best friend’s support and no longer worried about having money for her mother’s treatment, shot back without hesitation, “No need – I can yell at you all by myself! Listen up, Sammy Ludwick: I don’t like you. You make me sick. I’m never going to marry you! So why don’t you just get lost?” She’d been wanting to say that for ages; after holding it in for so long, she finally got her chance.
Sammy’s face turned a violent shade of purple as he jabbed a finger at her, threatening, “You’ll pay for this! I’m telling your father!”
“Go ahead! I don’t care – I have nothing to do with the Lester family anymore!” With that, Katrina spat at his feet and strode off, head held high.
Once they were back in the car, Ivy’s voice was thick with regret. “This is my fault. I should have checked – I accused the wrong person.”
Katrina burst out laughing, trying to comfort her. “Don’t worry about it. That Dr. Ludwig is famously cold and standoffish – don’t let it get to you. But I’m curious, why did you think I was involved with him? My dad wishes! The Lester family isn’t even in his league.”
Ivy scoffed. “He’s not good enough for you.”
“Oh, no, you’ve got that backward! Sure, he’s a bit of a loner, but he’s got a flawless background, he’s accomplished, tall, handsome, good manners – the whole package. If anything, I’m not good enough for him.”
Ivy just shook her head. “Whatever. Let’s go eat – we’ve earned it.”
“My treat, to soothe your wounded pride,” Katrina said with a grin.
Back in the restaurant, Naylor watched the two girls leave, clicking his tongue in amazement. He turned back to see his old friend staring out the window, and couldn’t help but tease, “What’s this? Enemies at first sight, and now you’re interested?”
Jamison’s retort was as sharp as ever. “Say that again and I’ll shut you up for good.”
Naylor only grinned, undeterred. “I’ve never seen you get so worked up over a woman. Maybe she’s your type. But I heard Ivy was trafficked for three years, had a child with her captor, even caught HIV, and was only released when she was on death’s door… If that’s true, it’s probably for the best you’re not interested.”
Jamison’s voice was flat. “She doesn’t have HIV.”
“She doesn’t? Then why did the Windsor family turn their backs on her? I heard they only took her in because they had to – and made her live in the basement,” Naylor said, baffled.
Jamison snorted. “Why are you asking me? How should I know?”
Naylor sighed. “I just feel bad for her, that’s all.”
“No need. People who end up pitiful usually have themselves to blame,” Jamison said coldly. After a few run-ins with Ivy, he’d never met someone so stubborn, self-righteous, and quick to lash out. With a personality like that, no wonder the Windsor family wanted nothing to do with her.
Naylor frowned at his friend’s harsh words, muttering, “That’s pretty heartless, you know. After everything she’s been through, you really don’t feel the slightest bit of sympathy?”