The housekeeper moved as if to help, but Ivy waved her away with a graceful flick of her wrist. “I’ll take care of Mr. Jamison’s breakfast. You all have other work to do.”

The staff nodded and quietly slipped away.

Ivy ladled some nourishing broth for Jamison, her tone teasing. “Need me to feed you, Mr. Jamison?”

Jamison caught the edge in her voice and grinned, playing along. “That depends on how you plan to do it…”

Ivy froze for half a second.

How to feed him? This shameless man—was he flirting again? Did he expect her to feed him mouth-to-mouth?

She stirred the soup with dainty precision and shot him a sultry look. “Aren’t you a germaphobe? Could you really handle eating something that’s already been in someone else’s mouth?”

Jamison’s face tightened, and whatever mischievous thoughts he’d had vanished instantly.

This woman was a killjoy. Leave it to her to turn what could’ve been a romantic game into something so unappetizing, he nearly lost his desire to eat at all.

They were nearly finished with breakfast when Jamison suddenly remembered something. “By the way, Boyd stopped by yesterday and handed me an invitation. Want to guess who it’s from?”

Ivy was dabbing her lips with a napkin. She paused, quickly catching on. “Emmal and Sheridan’s engagement party?”

Jamison looked genuinely surprised. “How did you know?”

Without a word, Ivy got up and pulled an invitation from her purse. “Katrina gave me this yesterday when I dropped by Golden Maple Estate.”

Jamison gave a dismissive laugh. “Looks like the Windsors want the whole world to know.”

Not that he could blame them. The Windsors had been on the verge of ruin, with everyone waiting for them to go under so they could kick them while they were down. Now, with their alliance to the Carters, it was a dramatic comeback. Of course they’d seize the moment to parade their newfound resilience to everyone.

“Yours is probably from the Carters. Mine’s definitely from Emma—no doubt she’s dying to show off,” Ivy said with a knowing smirk. She’d long since seen through that family’s true nature.

“So, are you going? If you’d rather avoid them, we don’t have to.”

“Oh, I’m going,” Ivy replied, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “How else am I supposed to watch the show? In fact, I plan to go all out—maybe even steal the spotlight and drive Emma up the wall.”

Jamison smiled. “Then I’ll be right there with you. Let the world fall apart—you just sit back and enjoy the drama.”

Ivy took a soft breath, propping her chin on her hand as she gazed at Jamison, a playful smile lighting her face.

More and more, she felt she’d made the right choice. Aside from that one deception—his secret identity—he was flawless. Being with a man like him, she felt an unshakeable sense of security.

Jamison caught her look, bemused. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Just admiring a handsome man.”

He was silent.

Last night, he’d tossed and turned, tormented by doubts about whether she truly loved him. But in the span of one simple breakfast, she had laughed, flirted, and shamelessly complimented him—never holding back her admiration. It left him in a state of pure contentment.

Even if she was just putting on an act, the fact that she could make him this happy was, he supposed, its own kind of love. Someone who didn’t care wouldn’t bother to pretend.

With that thought, Dr. Ludwig had thoroughly comforted himself.

Saturday evening arrived: Emma and Sheridan’s engagement party.

Determined to make an entrance and outshine Emma, Ivy decided to treat herself—a new haircut, a stylish makeover, and a couture gown.

Jamison was still recovering from his injury, so she had no plans to bring him along. After breakfast, she stood and announced, “I’m heading out to run some errands today. Try not to do anything reckless while I’m gone—just focus on getting better.”