Jamison just smiled, saying nothing. He loved Ivy’s sharp mind and inner strength, but he also cherished these moments when she let down her guard—when she grumbled, teased, or even pouted like a girl her age. Like now, listening to her vent, even if it was just complaints about her day, he found her so vibrant and endearing. This was what a young woman was supposed to be like: not always composed and formidable, but allowed to be a little petty and childish sometimes.

People were never just one thing. If someone was always rational, always perfect and self-controlled, it’d be exhausting—and honestly, a little dull.

After a quiet moment in the car, Jamison finally spoke, his voice gentle and reassuring. “Honestly, let them misunderstand you if they want. You’re beautiful, you landed a spot in an influential family, and you have the brains to make them work for you. Those are all strengths, things other people only wish they had. The truth is, those families aren’t dumb, and neither am I. I love you, only you, because there’s something about you—things only you have—that I can’t resist. Even if people think you made it just because of your looks, that’s still your advantage. Being beautiful is your ace card; there’s nothing wrong with that. As for the other things that matter even more than looks, people will see those in time. Eventually, they’ll realize how wrong they were, and they’ll be embarrassed by how shallow their first impression was.”

As Jamison finished, the car rolled to a stop at a red light. He turned to look at Ivy, reaching back to squeeze her hand in reassurance, his gaze steady and unwavering. “I know you’ll prove them all wrong—and soon.”

Ivy hadn’t expected him to comfort her this way, and her heart softened again. The truth was, just as Jamison had said, she didn’t really care what other people thought of her. It was only her first day at the new job—a few doubts or rumors were inevitable, and she was bound to feel a little sensitive. Jamison showing up to pick her up, right in the middle of her funk, just made it all the more natural for her to vent her frustrations.

Feeling his support, Ivy’s eyes glinted with a mix of shyness and mischief. Her tone turned playful and proud. “Of course, I never sell myself short. I am absolutely worthy of your devotion, Mr. Jamison.”

The proud little tilt to her chin made Jamison’s thoughts shift entirely. He leaned over, tall frame crowding the front seat, and moved in to kiss her.

“Hey!” Ivy reacted fast, but not fast enough—he pressed a quick, playful kiss to her lips before she could dodge.

Her cheeks flushed bright pink. “Eyes on the road!”

The light turned green, and Jamison sat back, grinning as he drove on. Ivy stopped gazing out the window and shifted sideways, angling herself to face the driver’s seat.

“Hey!” she called, still blushing, her voice light and teasing. “Weren’t you against me joining this industry? Now that I’ve run into trouble at work, why aren’t you telling me to just quit and stay home while you take care of everything? Instead, you’re here cheering me on.”

She couldn’t help thinking—most men, put in his shoes, would’ve said something arrogant and patronizing like: ‘If you’re not happy, just quit. I’ll support you?’

But Jamison didn’t.

And it wasn’t that long ago that they’d argued over her joining Quantum Hedge Securities.

Jamison’s lips twitched with a smile. “That’s different. I really don’t want you in finance, but that doesn’t mean I want you to give up at the first sign of trouble. If you ever decide to leave, I want it to be after you’ve succeeded—when you can walk away proud, not just because it got tough.”

Ivy stared at him.

In that moment, as dusk settled in and the world outside grew dim, the man beside her seemed to shine with a light all his own—so solid, so extraordinary.

“Jamison, how did I ever get so lucky to meet someone like you?” she asked, her voice soft with wonder, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.

He grinned, deliberately teasing. “You’ve got good luck, I guess.”

She rolled her eyes and shot back, “Please. You’re the lucky one. If you hadn’t met me, you’d still be a lonely bachelor.”

Seeing her mood had lifted, Jamison’s smile turned tender. “What do you want for dinner? We should celebrate your first day at work.”

“Anything’s fine.” Ivy had been focusing on her health lately, and she’d gained a few pounds without realizing it. The work outfits she’d picked out felt a little snug around the waist now. She wasn’t a fan of being rail-thin, but she also didn’t want to let herself go.

Jamison caught the hint in her voice and glanced over. “What’s wrong? Did stress at work kill your appetite?”

“No, it’s just… I thought maybe I’d eat a little less tonight, so we can go anywhere."

“You’re dieting?” His tone sharpened as he shot her another look. “Where exactly do you think you’ve gained weight? I’ve worked hard to put some healthy weight on you, you finally feel real.”

“Pervert,” Ivy muttered, giving him a sidelong glare. “If you like something soft and squishy, why don’t you go cuddle a pig?”

She’d shared a bed with a pig for years—besides the smell and mess, it was actually pretty comfortable.

Jamison laughed and nodded. “Not bad—you’re even making jokes about it now. Looks like you’ve put those shadows behind you.”

Ivy was surprised, too, that the words had slipped out so easily. Apparently, some scars really had faded.

Ignoring her half-hearted suggestion about dinner, Jamison drove them to a cozy bistro tucked away in a quiet neighborhood.

As they settled in, Ivy heard a familiar voice call out.

“Ivy!”