The black clothes only emphasized how tall and slender he was.

So, as soon as the two approached, Adela Ludwig frowned and scolded, “How did you lose so much weight in just a few days? You look pale, too. Are you sick?”

Ivy tried to pull her arm back, but Jamison held on tight.

She had no choice but to nod politely and greet them. “Mom, Thad, we’re home.”

Thad smiled and nodded in return.

Adela Ludwig glanced at Ivy, then nodded as well. “Good, you’re back. Are you sick? No wonder you wanted to go straight to the hospital instead of coming home first–were you afraid I’d scold you?”

Jamison kept his tone light, steering the conversation away. “We’re fine–that’s all that matters. We were helping the police with their investigation. When the news comes out in a few days, you’ll understand.”

“Forget it, let’s just head home. The whole family is waiting for you two to have dinner.” Adela didn’t press for details, turning to lead the way.

Jamison declined, “Well… since you’ve seen us safe, we won’t come back tonight. I’ll take Ivy back to my apartment.”

He needed to get his injuries checked and treated at the hospital.

“What’s the rush? If you don’t eat, does that mean she shouldn’t either? She’s so thin and frail, looks like she could be knocked over by a breeze. With her complexion, what can she possibly manage?” Adela shot Ivy another critical glance, full of complaints.

Hearing that, Ivy’s first thought wasn’t that her mother-in-law cared about her health–it was that she heard a not-so-subtle hint about grandchildren.

Calling her frail and lacking vitality… wasn’t that just a way of criticizing her for being too thin to have children?

Just as Ivy suspected, Jamison caught the implication too. He glanced at her, then changed his mind. “You’re right–it’s late, and you must be hungry. Let’s go to the house, have dinner, and head back to the apartment afterward, alright?”

With Adela watching, Ivy could only nod. “Alright, whatever you think is best.”

Seeing Ivy being agreeable, Adela’s expression softened a little.

Chapter 356

Once the security detail was settled, Jamison led Ivy to the family van, and they headed back to the Ludwig estate.

Micah Shepherd had heard that Jamison and Ivy were returning today. Using the excuse of visiting his grandparents, he showed up at the mansion early that morning.

Carla Ludwig, well aware of her son’s intentions, was uneasy and decided to tag along, spending half the day urging him to leave. But Micah was stubborn as ever.

“Micah, she’s married to your uncle now. You need to accept that–she’s not coming back to you,” Carla pleaded, exasperated and helpless in the face of her spoiled son.

Micah stared longingly at the iron gates of the mansion, refusing to budge. “Mom, stop nagging. I just want to see her–I’m not going to do anything.”

“Promise me?”

“I promise! I swear I’m just–hey, they’re back!”

Micah raised his hand to finish his oath, but his attention was snatched away by the luxury car pulling up outside the gates. His face lit up as he brushed past his mother and hurried outside.

Before Ivy even stepped out of the car, she saw Micah striding over through the window and instinctively frowned.

What’s he doing here?

Jamison noticed too. He reached back and took Ivy’s hand. “Ignore him, just stay close to me.”

As they approached Ludwig Mansion, Ivy felt a wave of unease. At that moment, whatever anger she’d felt toward Jamison’s “deception” faded. She decided to just do as he said.

When they got out of the car, Micah rushed forward, beaming. “Ivy, you’re back!”

“Show some respect–call her Aunt Ivy,” Jamison cut in sharply.

Micah, who’d grown to resent his uncle, didn’t even bother hiding his contempt. He shot back, “My relationship with Ivy isn’t so distant that I need to call her that.”