Chapter 276
Ivy hadn’t even finished her sentence before Jamison burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Relax,” Jamison said, still smiling. “You won’t have to roll up your sleeves and start cooking for the family. In the Ludwig family, none of the women are expected to cook. I’d never ask that of you.”
He leaned down and brushed a kiss against the corner of her lips, his tone warm and sincere. “Thank you for being so thoughtful. I should be the first to taste your cooking–what an honor.”
Ivy smiled, her lips curving in amusement. “The first and only one. This is a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.”
With that, Jamison carried the bowl of pasta out to the dining table.
He really was hungry. He wasted no time grabbing a fork and digging in, offering enthusiastic praise between bites. “I knew it–exceptional people excel at everything. This tastes great.”
Ivy just smiled and kept quiet.
Of course it tasted good–she’d already tossed the burnt eggs in the trash before serving.
The little domestic moment seemed to calm Jamison, but halfway through his meal, he brought up the real reason for their talk.
“I thought I made it clear–if anyone from my family contacts you again, you’re supposed to tell me. We spoke earlier today, but you didn’t mention a word about it.”
Ivy shrugged lightly. “If it’s something I can handle myself, why trouble you?”
“What exactly did Carla say to you?” Jamison looked up at her, then peeled a shrimp and offered it to her lips.
Ivy shook her head. “I’m full, really-” Before she could finish, Jamison popped the shrimp gently into her mouth.
“If you don’t want me to go back and confront them, just tell me the truth–everything,” he said, half-teasing, half-serious.
“You really want to know?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
Instead of answering, Ivy pulled out her phone and tapped to bring up a recording. “Here. You can listen for yourself.”
Jamison looked genuinely surprised.
Ivy explained, “I honestly didn’t know what Carla was after, so I thought I’d record the conversation–just in case I needed proof.”
Rather than getting upset, Jamison actually praised her. “Smart move.”
He listened intently as the audio began to play, eyes fixed on the screen.
“Miss Windsor, the apartments here aren’t exactly cheap, are they? I heard the penthouse is a duplex, worth, what, four or five million? How did you come up with the money for a place like this?”
“Here’s five million–a gift. Leave Jamison.”
“But your brother offered me much more than that, just to marry him. If you were in my shoes, what would you do?”
“What?! So Jamison really did pay you off!”
“He always thought you were different, but it turns out you’re just after his money. Five million isn’t even enough for you, huh?”
“You two are siblings, but you really don’t know him at all. Money is the least impressive thing about Jamison.”
“Oh, so he’s not just rich–he’s handsome, tall, brilliant, wildly successful… and most importantly, he’s got stamina. You’re a mature woman, I’m sure you know how important that is in a marriage. That’s way more attractive than money, don’t you think?”
They listened in silence, Jamison’s expression shifting to something caught between embarrassment and amusement.
Ivy glanced at him, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes a little flustered. “I… I was just talking nonsense to get under her skin. Honestly, you don’t need to hear the rest-”
She reached for her phone, hoping to spare herself the embarrassment.
But Jamison wasn’t about to let her off that easy. He quickly pressed her hand down. “Don’t move. I want to hear the whole thing.”
“There’s nothing else, just a bit of bickering. You really don’t have to-”
Ivy made another grab for her phone, but Jamison easily snatched it away, holding it high out of her reach.
She tried to lunge for it, but he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her in and locking her firmly in his embrace.