He turned his head slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Emma, who clearly didn’t know her place. Though there was a faint smile at the corners of his eyes and lips, it sent a chill straight through her.
Emma’s face went rigid in an instant.
She was painfully aware of how much influence Mr. Jamison wielded—and how ruthless and unpredictable he could be when crossed.
If he really made that phone call, she knew he’d have ways to force Sheridan’s hand…
Before Emma could respond, Jamison had already pulled out his phone.
Rosetta, alarmed, jumped in immediately. “Mr. Jamison, please–let’s not do this. We’re all family here; there’s no need to take things so far. Emma was just running her mouth. Don’t take it to heart.”
Emma clenched her fists, her eyes stinging with angry tears.
The receptionist, who’d been waiting nearby, finally broke the tense silence. “Miss Windsor, I’m afraid you’ll need to decide soon. Your appointment time is coming up, and our stylists are all on a tight schedule.”
Emma drew a deep breath, forcing herself to tamp down her anger and jealousy. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady. “One o’clock works for me. I’ll wait for Mr. Hickey.”
The receptionist’s expression fell, but she nodded. “Alright, then. Please wait in the lounge. Once Mr. Hickey finishes with our VIP client, you’ll be called upstairs.”
The private styling sessions were held upstairs, in a quieter and more secluded space.
Emma nodded and turned toward the lounge.
Rosetta glanced from her younger daughter to her eldest, clearly torn, but in the end she made her choice.
She forced a smile for her eldest. “Ivy, since you have Mr. Jamison with you, I’ll… go sit with Emma. See you tonight.”
Ivy didn’t turn around or respond, pretending not to hear.
Once the others had left, Jamison glanced back, worried she might be upset.
Chapter 389
“Don’t worry. I’m not that fragile.”
Jamison grinned. “I can tell.”
Ivy hesitated for a moment, curiosity getting the better of her. “Were you really about to call Mr. Carter just now? Don’t forget our original plan.”
Their plan from the beginning was to have Emma marry Sheridan.
Jamison looked completely confident. “I really was going to call him. But there was never a chance. Even if Emma hadn’t backed down, Mrs. Windsor would’ve apologized for her. That’s exactly what I wanted–to see them both humbled.”
Ivy smiled but said nothing, thinking privately that Jamison was as sharp and calculating as ever—he always knew how to play people.
Ivy’s new haircut—a French fringe paired with a chic bob—looked sweet, playful, and youthful, instantly transporting her back to her high school days.
She was thrilled with the result; even her earlier run-in with Emma couldn’t dampen her mood.
With this look, she thought, she could walk right back onto campus and no one would guess she was nearly twenty-four.
Catching a glimpse of her in the mirror, Jamison’s eyes widened with obvious admiration.
Ivy’s fair skin, delicate features, and slender frame were only enhanced by this fresh, youthful style—she looked almost doll-like, the kind of girl you instinctively wanted to protect.
Just like she’d told Emma earlier, Ivy’s beauty hardly needed embellishment—she was striking all on her own.
“So, what do you think? Does it suit me?” Ivy noticed Jamison watching her in the mirror and met his gaze, running a hand through her hair with a bright smile.
Jamison frowned, his usual sarcasm kicking in. “You’re starting college, not kindergarten. What’s with the baby-doll look?”
Ivy’s smile faltered, and she looked away. “I like it. Not your business.”
Jamison’s own appointment wrapped up soon after.
Chapter 389
He’d gone for a neatly parted style, a bit shorter than before, accentuating his sharp, masculine features. The result was effortlessly cool—handsome and striking.