Chapter 263
“I’ll pick out a few investors with questionable reputations for them. When Adkins tries to win them over, he’ll pull out every trick in the book. The Windsors will bend over backward to keep Emma around–they won’t kick her out for your sake, not when she’s still useful to them. They’re just squeezing every last drop out of her,” Jamison said, his tone calm but laced with irony.
Ivy listened quietly, a cold smile pulling at her lips. “Exactly. Wouldn’t put it past them to try seducing the investors, or even stoop to some dirtier tricks. Whatever happens, if Emma gets tangled up with any of those men, she’s doomed. There’s no way she comes out of that unscathed.”
Jamison’s eyes twinkled with good-natured amusement. “That’s what I thought. Talking to someone sharp like you is such a relief.”
Ivy actually laughed–a real, warm laugh this time, not the cold one from before.
Thinking back on what she’d said to the Windsors earlier, she felt a pang of guilt. She turned to Jamison, her expression earnest. “By the way, about what I said just now, I was just trying to get under their skin. Don’t take it to heart.”
Of course Jamison understood.
But since she’d brought it up, he figured he might as well address it. “Are you sure you didn’t mean any of it?”
“Of course not. I know exactly how you treat me. If I still thought that way about you, I’d be hopeless.”
He grinned and nodded. “Good. So you’re not a little traitor after all. That puts my mind at ease.”
Ivy smirked mischievously, then added, “But honestly, when we first met, you were insufferable–aloof, cold, always keeping people at arm’s length. Back then I thought, ‘What a waste of a handsome face.’”
The smile froze on Jamison’s face.
What had he ever done, really? Maybe talked less, kept a straight face–was that a crime?
Given his background and all the attention he attracted, if he didn’t keep people at bay, he’d spend every day just fending off women.
Seeing his silence, Ivy leaned in a little, teasing, “What, are you mad now?”
“What do you think? I’ve softened up for you, but your sharp tongue hasn’t dulled a bit,” Jamison’s smile was half amusement, half mock protest.
“Come on, I was talking about before. I’m much nicer to you now, aren’t I?”
“Haven’t noticed.”
“So what should I do to make you notice?” she asked, genuinely curious.
Jamison had been waiting for this. He thought it over, then replied with mock seriousness, “I’d like it if you were a bit more affectionate–like a couple in love is supposed to be.”
“Affectionate?” Ivy blinked, puzzled. “You mean… that way? But I told you, even though we got married in a hurry, I’m not ready for the whole married couple thing just yet.”
She’d made it clear a few days ago–she needed time before diving into that side of marriage.
Jamison realized she’d misunderstood and hastily clarified, “Of course not. Being affectionate doesn’t only mean that. I just meant hugs and kisses–those count too.”
Ivy stared at him, speechless. So that’s all he wanted–just more hugs and kisses?
“But you always do that whenever we’re together…”
“That’s because I’m always the one making the move. I want you to take the initiative sometimes.”
She considered this seriously. “Alright, I’ll do my best.”
When they pulled up outside Ivy’s building, Jamison parked and turned to her, his expression growing more focused. “We’ll tackle the Windsors on two fronts. On your end, start quietly buying up their shares. On my side, I’ll set things up so Emma walks right into their trap.”
He reached out, unable to resist gently tracing her cheek with his finger, and his stern expression melted into a smile.