Chapter 71
But Mrs. Smith insisted that, since she'd never had that kind of experience, it just wasn't possible. After all, By had been trafficked for three years – just making it out without HIV was a stroke of luck. It was hard to believe she hadn't been assaulted. The Windsors even claimed she'd given birth to a child – an abnormal one, at that.
Dr. Handsome: “Most likely, your symptoms are caused by endometriosis. It could also be an ovarian inflammation, or perhaps adenomyosis. Gynecology isn’t really my field, so I can only make an educated guess. Let me recommend a top specialist – you should book an appointment with her for a detailed diagnosis.”
After sending that, Jamison opened his laptop, searched for a renowned gynecologist, and sent By a screenshot of her profile.
By glanced at it, grateful. “Thank you. I’ll book the appointment.”
Dr. Handsome: “Need me to make the call? Professor Penn is actually my mentor’s wife."
By’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, embarrassed, she quickly declined, “Oh, that’s really kind of you, but I’ll handle it myself. There’s no rush – one or two days won’t make a difference."
Jamison figured she probably didn’t want to share her personal info, and he didn’t press.
Dr. Handsome: “Alright, then. Professor Penn will be in clinic the day after tomorrow.”
Mrs. Smith: “Great, thank you!”
Dr. Handsome: “You’re welcome.”
By all rights, the conversation should’ve ended there. But Ivy remembered the tense exchange in the chat group earlier and felt she’d been too harsh. She figured she owed him an explanation.
Mrs. Smith: “Um… About earlier in the group chat, I wasn’t targeting you personally. If I came off as rude, I apologize.”
Jamison saw her message and a rare smile flickered across his face. Unbelievable. Mrs. Smith, who usually contradicted him at every turn, was actually apologizing.
Dr. Handsome: “I get it. No offense taken.”
Mrs. Smith: “But honestly, for someone so brilliant at medicine, your trading skills are just…”
Jamison read that and couldn’t help but laugh, a touch of self-mockery in his smile.
Dr. Handsome: “Nobody’s perfect. Just consider it my humble contribution to the stock market.”
Ivy stifled a laugh.
Mrs. Smith: “Once I pass my licensing exam, I’ll manage your portfolio for you. If we win, you keep the profits. If we lose, it’s on me.”
Jamison raised an eyebrow. Was she serious?
Dr. Handsome: “You’re joining a brokerage?”
Mrs. Smith: “I’ve had a few offers. Still weighing my options.”
Dr. Handsome: “Best of luck.”
Mrs. Smith: “Thanks. Good night.”
After the chat ended, Ivy used her phone to try booking an appointment with Professor Penn. But the day-after-tomorrow slot had been filled long ago. And the professor only saw patients once a week. Ivy considered her options for a moment, then decided she’d just get up early and try her luck in person on clinic day.
With that settled, she put her phone down and tried to sleep. But whether it was the unfamiliar comfort of her new king-size bed or something else on her mind, sleep simply wouldn’t come. By habit, she reached for her phone again. The WhatsApp group – still muted – was buzzing with conversation. Dr. Handsome was in there too.
Ivy didn’t join in, just lurked quietly. For some reason, she opened her private chat with Dr. Handsome and scrolled through their conversation once more. The more she interacted with him, the more she realized that Dr. Handsome was a classic case of “cold on the outside, warm on the inside.” Blunt, sometimes even a little biting with his words – but honestly, that described most men she knew.
Then it hit her: she was analyzing a man again. She shook her head, snapping herself out of it. Hadn’t Micah already shown her the true nature of men? She’d had enough. She never wanted to get involved with men again, not for the rest of her life.
The next morning, when Ivy got up, Katrina had already made breakfast. Honestly, her best friend treated her better than family ever had. Ivy was deeply touched. After breakfast, Katrina had to run back to campus for something. Ivy drove out to the pet market to pick up food for her black and white king snake, then headed back to the Windsor estate.
As soon as she pulled into the driveway, she spotted a gleaming, brand new Bentley – luxurious and imposing. Stepping out of her own car, Ivy couldn’t help but stare in disbelief at the high-end Bentley. Micah didn’t waste time, did he? Dropping nearly half a million dollars on a top-of-the-line car, just like that.
“Hey, you’re back? Check it out – Micah bought me this new car as an engagement gift. What do you think?” Emma strutted out in a designer dress, her voice pitched high enough for the whole neighborhood to hear, pride radiating from her like a peacock showing off its feathers.