Chapter 36
As Ivy launched into her tirade, Katrina clung to her sleeve, whispering anxiously, “Ivy, Ivy, please, that’s enough…”
Jamison listened to her insults with a patience that bordered on indifference. Maybe he was too angry to react, or perhaps he’d suddenly decided none of it was worth his time. To everyone’s surprise, he calmly pulled out a chair, crossed one leg over the other with a hint of elegance, and regarded her with a faint, almost amused smile.
“Are you finished?”
“Not even close. You’re just like Micah – so fake, two-faced, a total jerk – mmph, mmph-”
“Ivy!” Katrina’s nerves finally snapped. She jumped up and slapped her hand over her friend’s mouth, desperate to stop the outburst.
“Mr. Jamison, I’m so sorry,” Katrina stammered, turning to him in apology. “Ivy’s just having a rough day. Please don’t take it personally.”
Ivy yanked Katrina’s hand away, glaring. “Why do you always try to shut me up? Since when are you on his side?”
Katrina’s face fell, her worry written all over it. “You’re already in such a tough spot at home. Do you really need to make enemies out here too? With the Ludwigs‘ influence…”
She trailed off, but the warning was clear. The Ludwig family was the most powerful in Neo Haven. If her best friend antagonized them, life in this city would be nearly impossible. She’d be attacked from all sides – how was she supposed to survive?
Seeing Katrina’s eyes fill with tears, Ivy’s anger faded. She knew Katrina meant well and couldn’t bring herself to argue anymore.
“Come on, I’m not the one crying here – you are.” Ivy grabbed a napkin from the table and gently dabbed Katrina’s cheeks.
Katrina took the napkin, her voice hoarse. “I’m just worried about you. I’m not crying because you yelled at me.”
Jamison sat in silence, watching them. For reasons he didn’t understand, something cold and locked away in his chest shifted. Was it Ivy’s impossible situation that got to him? Or the fierce loyalty between these two girls?
Abruptly, he spoke up. “Thirty-five million for the house. I’ll throw in two private parking spots. That’s my final offer. If you agree, it’s yours.”
Ivy stared at him, stunned. “Have you lost your mind?” Just a moment ago, he’d refused to sell at any price – now he was practically giving it away, parking included.
Jamison’s lips curled in a cool, dismissive smile. “I think your friend’s a good person. I’m doing her a favor.”
Katrina lit up, nodding eagerly. “Thank you, Mr. Jamison. Thank you so much!” She turned to Ivy, lowering her voice. “What do you think? Are you okay with this price? Do you still want to buy?”
The real estate agent jumped in, “Miss Windsor, if you agree, I can lower my commission by half a percent.” She quickly added, trying to tug at Ivy’s heartstrings, “The market’s been brutal lately. I haven’t closed a deal in two months – half my coworkers have quit. Please, Miss Windsor, help me out. Let me close just this one sale!”
Giving up that chunk of her commission was a sacrifice, but it was a strategic move – and it made Ivy pause.
The stalemate returned. Both sides were waiting for the other to blink.
After a moment’s thought, Ivy met Jamison’s eyes. “Thirty-four million. I’ll pay in full, in one go, the day we sign.”
Jamison raised an eyebrow. “All at once?”
“That’s right.”
“You’re not running some kind of scam, are you?” He’d heard about her home situation since she’d moved back – the Windsor family wouldn’t even let her have a proper bedroom, let alone hand her millions. Where on earth was she getting that kind of money? And how could she talk about buying a mansion like it was nothing?
Ivy let out a low laugh, her eyes raking over him with scorn. “You think I’m the con artist here? If I remember right, you’re the one with a reputation problem.”