Chapter 363
Ivy’s voice was icy. “You’re overthinking it. I chose Jamison because he treats me well. It wouldn’t matter if he were related to you or not—I’d still pick him.”
Micah’s face twisted with disbelief and scorn. “He treats people well? Please. He can’t even be bothered to show basic respect to my grandparents, and you think he’ll be kind to you—a tarnished, penniless socialite? Let’s be honest, he’s only with you because his family is pressuring him to settle down. He probably picked the one woman no one else would want, just to spite my grandparents.”
Every word landed like a slap. Ivy’s brows knitted, confusion flickering in her eyes. How had Micah changed so much in just these few days? He was like a villain from some TV drama—cruel, cold-eyed, his features twisted with malice.
“If you think so little of me, why do you keep chasing after me?” Ivy didn’t want to dig into whatever was wrong with him; it wasn’t her concern. “Let go! I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea about us.”
She tried to break free again, but Micah only tightened his grip, yanking her closer. His voice turned harsh and his expression grew even more contorted. “So desperate to cut ties with me—do you even care how I feel? Ivy, you’d rather choose someone as heartless and cold as Jamison than even look back at me? You…”
He never finished. Ivy caught a glimpse of a dark figure rushing toward them.
“Jamison, don’t…” She knew exactly what he was about to do, and her first thought was the injury on his back. She tried to call out and stop him, but it was already too late.
Jamison barreled forward, grabbing Micah by the collar and spinning him around. In one fluid motion, his fist crashed into Micah’s jaw with brutal force. Micah cried out in pain, spun around from the impact, and stumbled backward onto the low stone border of the ornamental pond.
With a loud splash, he toppled straight into the water, sending up a spray like someone had thrown in a cannonball.
Halley returned at that moment, carrying a platter of roast beef, and froze in shock at the scene. For a second, he just stood there, gaping, before finally blurting out, “Hey, watch out for my turtles!”
Ivy was right by the pond, and the splash soaked her clothes, but she didn’t care. She rushed to Jamison, steadying him urgently. “What are you thinking? Your stitches could tear! Are you trying to get yourself infected again?” She was genuinely angry—not at him for hitting Micah, but for being so reckless with his own health.
In the pond, Micah floundered before managing to stand, drenched and humiliated. “Jamison! I’ve had it with you! If you’re so tough, come down here and fight me one-on-one!”
Micah had never been treated like this before. Rage overtook him, and he completely forgot where he was or who he was supposed to be.
Inside the main house, the rest of the Ludwig family heard the commotion and rushed outside. They all stopped in their tracks, stunned by the sight.
Carla, worried sick about her son, hurried to the pond’s edge. “Micah, get out of there! The water’s freezing—it’s spring water from the hills!”
The Ludwig elders weren’t far behind. Their faces blanched at the chaos.
Danny thundered his cane against the stone, his voice shaking with anger. “What on earth is going on here? Do my words mean nothing? This is disgraceful—fighting like this in front of family!”
Jamison stood rigid, his face carved in stone, an air of brooding fury radiating from every line of his body.