Chapter 723

Ivy looked at her birth mother, but the word “Mom” just wouldn’t come out.

Especially after hearing Rosetta’s chilly tone—her heart felt even colder. Ivy replied flatly, “Didn’t you send me the invitation? So why are you acting like you don’t want me here?”

“If you were coming, you should’ve arrived earlier! Showing up this late—do you have any manners?” So that’s what Rosetta was upset about.

Jamison stepped in for his wife, his voice cool and even. “I was late because of surgery. If Mrs. Windsor doesn’t want us here, we can leave.”

He knew perfectly well that Rosetta wanted them to stay—at least long enough to keep up appearances in front of the guests, to play the part of one big happy family—so he pushed her buttons on purpose.

Sure enough, Rosetta’s expression stiffened. The fire in her eyes faded; after a brief silence, she muttered, “You’re already here. If you leave now, what will the guests think?”

In other words, now that you’re here, you have to stay.

Ivy gave a cold, silent smile.

Onstage, the ceremony continued.

The emcee stepped down to invite the elders to prepare to come up.

Rosetta couldn’t have been more reluctant, but with so many eyes on her, she had no choice but to maintain appearances for her son’s sake.

Adkins Windsor, still weak after a serious illness, rose unsteadily with Rosetta’s support, and together they waited at the side of the stage.

Meanwhile, Baillie slipped a wedding ring onto his wealthy bride’s finger, and, to the crowd’s applause and jeers, bent to kiss her.

Ivy watched, her expression hard to read.

She glanced over at Rosetta and Adkins, waiting in the wings.

Both wore pinched, uncomfortable looks, as if they’d just swallowed a fly. Not a trace of wedding joy for their son.

So even their son marrying into money didn’t seem to make them happy.

Jamison gestured for Ivy to sit beside him.

Once they were seated, Jamison leaned close and murmured in her ear, “Consider it a learning experience. See how others handle their weddings.”

Ivy knew exactly what he meant. She leaned in and whispered back, “If we’re learning, let’s at least pick up something worthwhile. Not this mess.”

Jamison’s lips curled in a faint smile.

Onstage, the emcee finished his speech, and Rosetta helped Adkins up to the platform.

As Baillie waited for his parents to join him, his gaze swept the crowd and landed on Ivy and Jamison. His eyes went cold. Seeing them whispering and sharing a private smile, a burning humiliation surged in his chest. His fingers clenched with restrained fury.

They were definitely laughing at him.

All these guests were laughing at him.

Laughing at him for selling himself, for marrying into a rich woman’s family, for wedding someone more than a decade his senior.

The emcee’s words snapped him back to the present, and he forced himself to go along with the rest of the ceremony.

The microphone was handed to Adkins.

As the elder, he gave his blessing—though it was obvious his feelings were complicated. Still, under the harsh lights, he managed a forced smile, praising his new “daughter-in-law” and declaring how lucky his son was to have found such a wonderful woman.

The emcee, oblivious, closed with, “Let’s congratulate the newlyweds—and wish them a happy marriage and a beautiful family, soon!”

The crowd broke into laughter and applause.

Ivy, surprised, muttered, “Are they really planning to have a baby?”

A nearby guest overheard, turned, and said, “Your brother didn’t tell you? His wife’s pregnant. That’s why the wedding happened so fast.”

What?!

Ivy’s eyes went wide with shock.

“But isn’t the bride in her forties?” She couldn’t help blurting out.

“Forty-six. But as long as you’re not through menopause, you can still get pregnant, can’t you? Besides, she’s got money—she takes care of herself.”

Ivy was too stunned to reply. She turned to Jamison and murmured, “Why is it so easy for other people to get pregnant?”

Jamison knew she was thinking of the child she’d lost. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and comforted her, “It’ll be your turn soon. Just take care of yourself, and when the time is right, it’ll happen.”

“Yeah…”

When the ceremony ended, the bride left to change.

Baillie approached Ivy and asked bluntly, “I thought you weren’t coming. Why did you show up?”

Ivy replied, “You sent me an invitation. Shouldn’t I be here? The bride seems great—generous, too. Heard she got you a new car and a house. Congratulations!”

Before Baillie could answer, Rosetta cut in, “Your sister-in-law is so much better than you! You’re the only ungrateful one in this family. If you hadn’t dragged us down, your brother wouldn’t have-”

“Mom!” Baillie interrupted, and whether he meant it or not, he actually said, “She’s a good girl. I really love her. I’m not suffering.”

Ivy stared at him, dumbfounded.

Really in love with a woman fifteen years older? More likely in love with her money.

“Whatever the truth, you’re about to be a father. That’s something to celebrate.” Ivy suppressed her cold amusement and offered her congratulations again.

The Windsors each wore their own complicated expressions—none of them looked remotely happy about becoming parents or grandparents.

The reception began, and Baillie led his new wife around, table by table, to toast guests.

Ivy listened to the endless gossip swirling among the guests, quietly impressed by Baillie’s thick skin.

As expected, the lavish wedding had made the Windsor Group the talk of the town again.

On Monday, the Windsor Group’s stock price soared.

Ivy methodically began selling off her shares.

Meanwhile, she was scheduled to start her internship at Quantum Hedge Securities.

Since she hadn’t finished selling all her stock, Ivy explained the situation to Edmond, hoping to delay her start by a week. But Edmond told her to come in anyway, just to get familiar with the place.

Chapter 724