Chapter 400
Otherwise, thereโs no way theyโd let her show up in front of everyone dressed like that.
This was nothing more than parading their โnew darlingโ in front of the clients, showing off just how sexy and irresistible she was.
โPity her?โ Ivy let out a cold laugh. โWhy would I? Am I crazy?โ
Small-minded, jealous to the core, and viciously heartless.
Someone like that doesnโt deserve an ounce of sympathy, no matter how much she suffers.
Besides, she brought all this on herself.
Jamison nodded. โAs long as you feel that way. I just donโt want you to go soft when you see her utterly miserable.โ
โNot a chance. Iโm actually looking forward to itโlooking forward to the moment she regrets framing me, regrets not coming clean and taking the prison sentence herself.โ
Ivy was sure it wouldnโt be long before Emma realized that even a jail cell would be a thousand times better than forcing her way into the Carter familyโs high society.
The engagement party began.
The elders of the Windsor family and the Carter family stood together on stage.
The contrast couldnโt have been sharper: the Carters stood stiff and distant, while the Windsors wore grins so wide they looked ready to split their faces.
Ivy and Jamison didnโt bother joining the crowd in the banquet hall, but even from the lounge area, they could hear every word from the stage.
Mr. Adkins was in rare form, delivering a rousing speech. First, he offered his blessings to the couple. Then, he launched into all sorts of grand promises about how the Windsors and the Carters would work hand in hand, reaching new heights together, and how the future had never looked brighter.
Ivy couldnโt help but laugh out loud.
Jamison turned to her, eyes warm with affection. โWhatโs so funny?โ
โIโm just thinkingโthe more smug they are now, the bigger the mess theyโre going to face soon.โ
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. โHow soon are we talking?โ
Jamison knew sheโd been quietly working on acquiring Windsor Group shares ever since she returned from Westshire. Business warfare wasnโt really his thing, but he trusted Ivyโs abilities, so he never pried.
โGive it a month, tops,โ Ivy replied.
As she spoke, she suddenly turned to him, a playful smile lighting up her beautiful face. โDr. Ludwig, could you help me out again, pretty please?โ
Jamisonโs eyebrows arched, amusement dancing in his eyes. โLetโs hear it.โ
โThese past few days, Iโve nearly bought up all the loose Windsor Group shares out there. According to regulations, if I want to keep increasing my stake, Iโll have to issue a mandatory takeover offer. But Iโm not ready to show my hand yet. Can you find someone to act as my front?โ
Ivy knew there was risk in this sort of thing. No one liked getting dragged into trouble, which meant sheโd have to ask her own man for help.
Jamison chuckled, reaching over to give her cheek a gentle squeeze. โYou make it sound like such a big deal. Iโll call Boyd tomorrow and have him take care of it.โ
โOkay.โ Ivy caught his hand in hers, then frowned a little. โAre you sure it wonโt inconvenience him?โ
โInconvenience? Please. Professionally, youโre his bossโs wife; personally, youโre his distant cousin. Who else should he be helping, if not you?โ
Ivy relaxed. โAlright, once itโs done, Iโll make sure to thank him properly.โ
โThank him?โ Jamison raised an eyebrow, feigning indignation. โI think youโre confused. Your husbandโs the one helping youโwhy are you thanking someone else?โ
Ivy grinned, seeing right through his little bout of jealousy. โCome on, youโre my husband. Thereโs no need to be so formal. Or would you rather I go back to how I was before, keeping a tally of every favor, making sure I pay you back down to the last cent?โ
Ivy had always hated owing anyone anything. Before they got married, every time Jamison did her a favor, sheโd insist on returning it somehowโoften leaving him both amused and exasperated.