Jamison’s expression flickered with surprise, then he seemed to understand. “No wonder—you never call me first, let alone show up to pick me up from work. Turns out you need a favor.”

Ivy looked away, a little embarrassed, her lips pressed together.

Worried he’d scared her off, Jamison didn’t dare push the topic. He softened his tone. “I’m kidding. Don’t take it to heart. Honestly, if you ever need anything, just tell me outright. No need for all this fuss.”

After all, in less than a week, they’d be signing their marriage license. They’d be husband and wife.

There was no place for awkward formality between them now.

Ivy’s shoulders relaxed a little.

“So, what is it?” Jamison asked.

Ivy drew a small breath. “Emma called. She wants me to come home for dinner tomorrow night. She said… Baillie will be there too, so it’ll be a family reunion. Supposedly to celebrate.”

Jamison kept his eyes on the road, but even in profile, she could see a flicker of surprise cross his face.

“She’s really that brazen? She’d just invite you over herself?”

“Showing off, I guess.” Ivy gave a dry, humorless smile.

“So you want me to go with you to the Windsor place?”

“Yes. But I wasn’t sure if… you’d be free.”

“I’ll make time. I’ll sort out my work schedule in advance. Even if you hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t let you go there alone. I can’t trust that place with you by yourself.”

Ivy’s heart warmed at how quickly he agreed.

Really, aside from being a little cold and sometimes sharp-tongued, this man hardly had any flaws at all.

He was steady, decisive, always reliable—someone who made her feel safe. “Alright then, we’ll go together tomorrow night.” Ivy managed a genuine smile, but then something occurred to her. “It’s strange that Baillie’s suddenly being let out. I’m guessing the Windsors struck some kind of deal with the Millers, and the Millers dropped the charges.”

Jamison nodded. “You want to know for sure? That’s easy—I can make a call and find out.”

When they reached the restaurant for dinner, Jamison made a phone call to check on Baillie’s case.

About ten minutes later, he got a call back.

“You were right—the Windsors paid out ten million for a private settlement.” Jamison gave a wry grin, a hint of schadenfreude in his voice. “The Windsors were already on their last legs, and now they’ve been bled dry once more. It’s just one disaster after another for them.”

Baillie and Lauren were still technically a couple, even if they were in the middle of a messy breakup. When something like that happens, and the woman insists it was assault, the police have to step in.

But honestly, cases like this rarely go to trial. If both sides can work out a deal, the police are more than happy to let it go and save themselves the headache.

Ivy just gave a cool, crooked smile. “They brought this on themselves. No wonder—even after Emma’s schemes were exposed, they’re still protecting her. They must be hoping she’ll help them climb higher.”

“Then why invite you to dinner?” Jamison frowned, puzzled.

Ivy shrugged. “Maybe they’re putting on a show, trying to win me back. Or maybe Emma just wants to gloat and show the family she’s still got their ear.”

Emma had claimed this was all Adkins and Rosetta’s idea, but Ivy didn’t buy it for a second.

With that woman, lies and truth were all tangled up.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jamison said, his tone reassuring. “Whatever their motive, I’m with you. And anyway, it’s the perfect chance to tell them about our wedding and see how they react.” He grinned, almost looking forward to tomorrow’s family showdown.

Chapter 257

Saturday arrived.