Chapter 291
Although Ivy had seen her fair share of the world, this was her first time meeting her in-laws. To make matters more nerve-wracking, Jamison’s parents were already quite elderly—if you thought of a generation as twenty-five years, they were practically old enough to be her grandparents. Naturally, Ivy felt anxious. She glanced at the two elders seated before her and, despite the silver in their hair and the gentle wrinkles on their faces, could immediately spot the traces of Jamison’s elegance and charm in them. Jamison’s eyes and features clearly took after Mrs. Ludwig, but his jawline and the air about him were pure Danny.
“Uncle, I mean… Sir…” Ivy bowed her head respectfully, starting to greet them as “Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig,” the way one might address a friend’s parents, before realizing that hardly seemed appropriate. Considering their age, she ought to use a more formal title.
But the words barely left her lips before Jamison squeezed her hand, gave her a quick look, and whispered, “Silly, what are you supposed to call them?”
Ivy stared at him in complete confusion, her mind suddenly blank. Seeing her rare moment of bewilderment, Jamison’s lips twitched with amusement. He leaned closer, reminding her, “We’re married now. You should call them Mom and Dad.”
Ivy froze, mortified. Of course—they were married. She was supposed to switch to “Mom” and “Dad.” But did these people even accept her as their daughter-in-law?
“Ivy? Are you—” Jamison began, noticing her hesitation, but before he could finish, Ivy snapped out of her daze. She forced a smile, looked directly at the two elders, and greeted them, “Hello, Mom. Hello, Dad. I’m Ivy.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, her heart thudded wildly in her chest, and her mind buzzed with anxiety. She sat there, feeling more awkward than ever. The feeling was mutual—the Ludwigs themselves were just as uncomfortable. They’d spent years worrying about their youngest son’s marriage. Every time they set him up on a date, it took endless persuasion, sometimes even outright threats, just to get him to show up. And every single time, he’d either brush it off or make a mess of things, leaving quite a few people disgruntled in the process. Recently, they’d nearly given up hope, only for him to suddenly announce he’d gotten married.
By all rights, this should have been good news—at least he’d finally tied the knot. But considering Ivy’s reputation and the current chaos surrounding the Windsor family, their worries multiplied. They couldn’t help but fear that their son’s impulsiveness would only lead to more trouble.
Yet, now that they were meeting Ivy face to face, both parents' expressions changed. Suddenly, they understood their son a little better. They’d met plenty of attractive and well-bred young women over the years—nothing new. But Ivy’s beauty still took them by surprise, leaving a lasting impression. It even made them understand why Emma, the Windsor family’s adopted daughter, would be jealous enough to betray her own sister. Even after three lost years and everything she’d endured in that remote, impoverished town, Ivy’s grace and radiance remained undiminished. She really was the original star of Neo Haven’s social scene.
The Ludwigs exchanged a knowing glance. Their son had always been a man who fell hard for a beautiful woman—some things never change.
“Miss Windsor, hello,” Mrs. Adela Ludwig said after a brief, awkward pause.
Jamison lifted an eyebrow, turning to his mother with a direct, “Mom, she’s your daughter-in-law—not Miss Windsor.”
Ivy wanted to sink into the floor.
Adela’s expression stiffened. She shot her son a reproachful look, then managed to recover, “Ivy, hello.”
Only then did Jamison look satisfied.
Ivy offered a polite nod, but all she could think was: This man really doesn’t care about saving face for his own parents. No wonder—he’d call his older sister by her first name, and barely blink an eye at his nephew’s trouble. She couldn’t help but wonder if marrying such a rebellious man was a blessing or a curse.