Katrina’s voice was thick with surprise. She’d always treated Golden Maple Estate as if it were her own home, staying over whenever she pleased, but she never forgot it actually belonged to her best friend. Even though Ivy never minded and waved off her worries, Katrina had never once brought Naylor over to spend the night. That was a line she didn’t cross–a matter of principle.
But now, out of the blue, Naylor wanted to stay at Golden Maple Estate with her.
“I asked him why, and he told me to ask you.” Katrina sounded half exasperated, half curious. “So, what’s going on?”
Ivy sat in the backseat, listening to Katrina’s animated chatter, and could only give a helpless, embarrassed laugh before explaining, “Jamison’s away on a business trip. He’s worried about me staying alone, so he asked me to move back to Golden Maple Estate for a few nights. He also suggested you and Naylor come over, so I’d have company.”
“Ohhh, so that’s it…” Katrina sighed, then couldn’t help but gush, “God, Dr. Ludwig is something else. He’s so thoughtful, it’s almost unreal.”
Ivy shrugged, grinning. “Don’t give him too much credit. He just wants someone to keep an eye on me. He’s probably worried I’ll go wild while he’s gone.”
“You’re unbelievable!” Katrina shot back. “Dr. Ludwig is husband of the year, and you’re calling it surveillance?”
Ivy laughed, the sound light and sweet, happiness bubbling through. “So, does this mean Naylor’s agreed to come stay for a few days?”
Katrina hesitated. “I guess so… I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t really given him the time of day. He’s been grumbling about it, but now he finally gets his wish…”
“Oh, look at you, playing hard to get! Naylor’s totally smitten, isn’t he?” Ivy teased.
Katrina scoffed. “Please, he’s a total flirt. Love? He wouldn’t know it if it hit him over the head. We’re all adults here, you know what I mean.”
“Oh, trust me, I know. The more you love, the more you do.”
Katrina shrieked, “Ivy! Since when did you get so bold? Don’t tell me Dr. Ludwig’s been a bad influence. He seems so straight-laced and serious–unless, behind closed doors, he’s…”
Ivy blushed, cutting her off. “Alright, enough! We’ll talk tonight, okay? See you then.”
After landing back in the city, Ivy headed straight to the office.
As luck would have it, Edmond had already arranged for a team to visit The Windsor Group for an on-site meeting, and Ivy, now part of the project, was expected to go along.
Some coworkers eyed her and whispered as she passed, clearly still gossiping about those rumors spreading online.
Edmond overheard and immediately snapped, “I’m not paying you all generous salaries to act like internet trolls. Anyone who keeps running their mouth is free to pack up and leave.”
With just one sentence, the office fell silent.
Ivy glanced at him, gratitude shining in her eyes.
Honestly, fate had been unusually kind to her.
In love and marriage, she’d found Jamison–deeply devoted, reliable, always there when she needed him. At work, she’d met Edmond–brilliant, sharp, and someone who genuinely trusted his team.
The only real misfortune in her life had been those three years stuck in that isolated mountain hellhole. But she was sure her luck had turned the day she left, and now, the future stretched out bright and wide before her.
On the way to The Windsor Group, Ivy leaned closer to Edmond and asked quietly, “Mr. Shaw, have you heard the news about the Windsors? Something happened recently, didn’t it?”
Edmond gave her a look. “You mean Baillie’s car accident?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I heard his wife had a miscarriage because of it. Will he even care about the project in this state?”
Edmond nodded. “I’ve heard some things, but today’s meeting was scheduled ages ago. If there were any changes, they’d have let us know ahead of time.”
And if they made the trip only to be stood up, well, that said everything they needed to know. People in high finance ran on seconds, not minutes. There was always a line of eager investors waiting for a shot at Edmond’s calendar–if Baillie Windsor didn’t value this opportunity, it meant the Windsor family really was finished.
But as it turned out, Baillie was taking the meeting seriously. He knew this was The Windsor Group’s last lifeline. Even with his new wife’s recent miscarriage, he showed up at the office, unwilling to let anything slide.
But when he caught sight of Ivy standing beside Edmond, Baillie’s face froze in shock–he actually gaped for several seconds.
“What are you doing here?” he finally blurted, unable to hide his disbelief.
Ivy met his gaze, unflinching. “I’ve been interning at Quantum Hedge Securities for a while now.”
Baillie’s tone turned mocking. “You? An undergrad?”
Ivy just looked at him, silent and unmoved.
“Guess marrying well really is a second shot at life, huh? Ivy, I think you drained every ounce of luck from the Windsor family when you left.” Baillie, as always, assumed Jamison had pulled strings to get her into such a prestigious firm.
Ivy knew exactly what kind of brother she had, and she had no intention of justifying herself. She’d rather prove her worth through action.
But Edmond wouldn’t let it slide. “Mr. Windsor, I met Ivy before she got married. Back then, she was posting anonymous stock analyses online–her insight and accuracy attracted quite a following. She’s got real talent. I was the one who reached out and invited her to intern at Quantum Hedge Securities. She doesn’t need anyone’s help to shine.”
Edmond’s words stung, and Baillie’s face tightened. His mind flashed back to a memory from a few months ago: their visit to Golden Maple Estate, hoping to get Jamison’s help investigating whoever was sabotaging the Windsor family from behind the scenes–only to find out that the mastermind was Ivy herself.