Saturday arrived.
After finishing up his work early, Jamison clocked out ahead of schedule to pick up Ivy.
Emma, still anxious that Ivy might not show, called her again that evening.
“We’re on the road,” Ivy answered, her tone blunt as ever. “Honestly, you sound a little too eager for me to come over—what, laying a trap for me or something?”
Emma feigned innocence. “Come on, don’t be like that, sis. It’s Mom and Dad who miss you. They’ve been waiting all day to see you.”
Ivy didn’t believe a word.
Inside Windsor Manor, Emma set down the phone and turned to her mother. “Mom, she’s on her way. She’ll be here soon.”
Rosetta’s hands clenched in anticipation, her face bright with excitement. “Wonderful, just wonderful!” She turned to her youngest daughter, eyes shining. “Emma, you always know what to do. We’ve tried so many times to get your sister to come home, but she never agreed until now.”
Emma offered a sheepish smile.
Suddenly, Rosetta fixed her with a worried look. “Emma, when your sister gets here, you need to keep your cool—no matter what she says. Don’t argue, just let it go. And you need to think carefully about how you’re going to make it up to her.”
“I know, Mom,” Emma replied quietly.
“And Baillie—” Rosetta glanced around, spotting her son sitting alone on the sofa. She walked over and said, “When your sister arrives, you need to rein in that temper of yours. And after what you and Lauren did to upset her last time, you both owe her an apology tonight.”
Baillie had just gotten out of the station, and after his recent breakup, the blows to his life had left him bitter and bristling. At his mother’s words, he snapped, “My whole life’s been turned upside down because of Ivy. I’m supposed to apologize to her now?”
Rosetta tried to soothe him. “That was then, this is now. Ivy’s the only one who can help us. Think about it—your father just spent a fortune to bail you out. We—”
“Mom! Can’t you stop being so calculating for once? Is family less important to you than money?”
Rosetta faltered, stung by her son’s outburst. “Baillie, I—”
At that moment, Adkins Windsor came down the stairs. His voice was cold and commanding. “You think we want it this way? Try living without money for a while. When the Windsor family nearly went bankrupt, did you see how people treated us? Tell me, would you rather swallow your pride with your own family or be humiliated by outsiders?”
Baillie’s face was stormy, but he fell silent.
Suddenly, Emma glanced toward the window, hesitating. “Look… there’s a car pulling up. I think—it looks like Ivy. She’s here.”
The others turned to look.
Even from a distance, Rosetta recognized her daughter. A bright smile broke across her face. “Yes, it’s Ivy! She’s finally home!”
Outside in the driveway, Ivy stepped out of the car.
She paused by the door, staring at the house she’d once called home. It all looked familiar, yet strangely foreign. For a moment, she just stood there, lost in thought.
Jamison came around the car and slipped his arm around her waist. “Relax. I’m here. Whatever happens, I’ve got you.”
Ivy managed a smile. “I’m fine. Really, I’m not worried.”
Before she finished speaking, the villa doors opened and several people hurried out. “Ivy, you’re finally back!” Rosetta beamed, rushing to greet her. But as soon as she spotted Jamison stepping out of the car, her excitement doubled. “Mr. Ludwig! You’re here too!”
She called back into the house, her voice raised in delight. “Adkins! Come quick—Mr. Ludwig is here!”
Within seconds, Adkins hurried out, just as thrilled.
“Mr. Ludwig! If we’d known you were coming, we’d have prepared something special. Welcome, welcome!” He stretched out his hand from across the courtyard, grinning widely.
Baillie and Emma exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable.
It was obvious: with Jamison present, he was the center of attention.
Chapter 257
Ivy, on the other hand, was all but forgotten.
Jamison, still cool and aloof, ignored Adkins‘ outstretched hand. He kept his arm firmly around Ivy’s waist, making it clear where his priorities lay.
Chapter 258