Chapter 498

“This… I’m the one who gave birth to you. What does that so-called priest have to do with anything?” Rosetta was so stunned she could barely get the words out. “Ivy, your father and I—we’re your parents! You owe us your very existence. Even if we’ve let you down, you can’t just turn your back on us. It’s—it’s practically a sin!”

Ivy’s patience had worn thin. Her voice was colder than ever. “If there really were a God that punished evil, you’d have been struck down the moment you forgot me, threw me out, and abandoned me. The fact you’re still standing here says enough.” So why should she be the one to face judgment now?

Rosetta fell silent, her expression crumpling as she looked helplessly at Adkins, who sat slumped on the couch. He looked equally lost.

Without another word, Ivy turned away and crossed back to the sofa. “You should leave. I don’t want to see either of you again.”

“But… what about the company?” Rosetta’s eyes pleaded with her daughter. After a pause, she mustered up the last bit of courage. “You’re still in school, you can’t possibly run a company. Why—why not just—”

“Don’t worry. I don’t want the company anymore.” Ivy’s voice was suddenly nonchalant.

Jamison turned in surprise. “Ivy—”

“It’s just an empty shell now. Even if I took it, it’d be nothing but trouble. Take it back—call it repayment for raising me. But from now on, we’re done. Don’t ever come looking for me again.”

Adkins stood up, shamelessly spitting out, “There’s no law that severs the bond between father and daughter. When we’re old and sick, you’ll still have to take care of us, or I’ll take you to court!”

Their cruelty had long since numbed Ivy. She shot back without hesitation, “If you’re going to force my hand, then maybe I’ll just sell the company out from under you.”

“No! Ivy, your father’s just upset, pay him no mind.” Rosetta rushed to smooth things over, forcing a conciliatory smile. “We’re still young, we won’t burden you in the future. Just let us keep the company—thank you, darling, for not leaving us with nothing.”

At that moment, Baillie—who’d been sitting on the floor nursing a bloody lip—scrambled to her feet and shouted, “Mom, are you out of your mind? She’s already ruined the company! Her shares are second only to Dad’s—doesn’t that mean we’ll all be working for her now? Unless we can buy back her shares, we’re finished!”

Ivy took a sip of water and smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, I doubt you’ll get the chance to work for me. The way things are, even if I never lift a finger again, the company won’t last a week. Bankruptcy is just a matter of time.”

Adkins’ face turned ashen. “If you know that, why do this at all? If the company goes under, your shares will be worthless.”

“It’s just money. I don’t care. My husband already said—making money is easy for me. But dragging you all down with me? That’s worth more than any profit.”

She smiled as she spoke. Adkins was so furious he couldn’t speak, his hand shaking as he pointed at her. “You… you ungrateful wretch! If I’d known you’d turn out like this, I’d have smothered you in your crib!”

Sensing the warning signs of another heart attack, Jamison stepped in calmly. “Mrs. Windsor, you should get your husband to a hospital. It’s not worth risking his life—there’s still plenty of time to sort things out. Staying alive is what matters most.”

Rosetta, panicked by Adkins’ worsening condition, hurriedly called for Baillie. “Quick, help your father to the car!”

Boyd, catching Jamison’s glance, stepped forward to help, but Baillie shoved him aside. “We don’t need your fake sympathy!”

Swallowing his frustration, Boyd simply went to open the door for them instead.

Rosetta and Baillie half-carried Adkins to the door. Just as they were leaving, Rosetta spun around, her face twisted with spite. “You’ll get what’s coming to you, Ivy. Just wait and see!”

Ivy didn’t flinch. “I’ll be waiting.”

When the last of them had gone, Jamison turned to Ivy and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“If you need to cry,” he murmured, “go ahead. I won’t judge you.”

Ivy nestled quietly against his chest, comforted by the steady beat of his heart. “I’m not going to cry… just tired, that’s all,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jamison pressed a gentle kiss to her hair. “Then let’s skip school for today. Stay home, rest. I’ll drive you back in the morning.”

She shook her head against his chest. “No… Just let me stay like this for a while.”

Before he could answer, she nuzzled closer, wrapping her arms around his lean waist.

Jamison relished her quiet need for comfort and held her without another word, letting her heal in the safety of his arms.

After a long while, Ivy finally stirred, feeling a bit steadier. She pulled away, her composure restored.

“It’s getting late. I should head back to campus—and you need to get to work at the hospital,” she said briskly, as if nothing had ever happened.