Chapter 440
Chapter 446
Adela Ludwig wasn’t blindly defending her grandson – she knew all too well that the boy had been spoiled rotten, and it broke her heart. But her son-in-law had been far too harsh. Listening to her grandson’s desperate cries – “Grandma, help me! Grandpa, help me!” – who wouldn’t feel their heart soften?
Especially considering Micah hadn’t even recovered from his old injuries before getting new ones. In the end, Adela just couldn’t stand by. She’d tried to step in, to plead for mercy, but her emotions got the better of her. In her agitation, her heart gave out and she fainted.
Ivy already wasn’t feeling well, and hearing all this only made her headache worse. She pressed a hand to her forehead, closed her eyes, and rubbed her temples.
How had she ever been so blind, falling for such a feckless, spineless man?
Boyd finished relaying the news, but when the other end of the line fell silent, he called out uncertainly, “Ivy? Are you listening?”
“I am.” Ivy forced herself to focus. “Jamison didn’t mention any of this to me. I suppose he didn’t want me to worry.”
In fact, last night over dinner, Katrina had shown her the video too, shaking her head at how badly the Shepherd family had embarrassed themselves this time.
So, Farley really had lost his temper and given his son a beating.
But no one had expected the real casualty to be Adela Ludwig.
She was elderly – any mishap could have serious consequences.
Micah really was a walking disaster.
Boyd was clearly rattled when he realized Ivy knew nothing about it. “Jamison didn’t tell you? I probably shouldn’t have – if he finds out I–”
“It’s fine, he won’t blame you. I’m part of the Ludwig family now – of course I should know. I ought to visit the hospital, actually. I’m glad you told me.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
After hanging up, Ivy pressed a hand to her abdomen, hesitating.
There was no way she could go out in her current condition. If she showed up at the hospital, Jamison would only worry more. She’d just cause him extra trouble.
Still, even if she couldn’t be there in person, the least she could do was reach out and show some concern. Basic courtesy, after all.
She picked up her phone again and called Jamison.
No answer – the line just rang and rang.
He must still be busy.
She set her phone down, thought it over, and opened her messaging app.
“How’s your mother doing? Is there anything I can do, or would you like me to come see her?”
Ivy had never felt any real sense of belonging with Jamison’s family.
Partly because she and Jamison hadn’t known each other long before getting married, and she’d never really formed any bond with the Ludwigs.
And Adela Ludwig had never been satisfied with her as a daughter-in-law – she’d only agreed because Jamison insisted.
After what she’d been through with her own family’s betrayal, Ivy kept all relationships at arm’s length now.
She wouldn’t grovel, and she wasn’t about to go out of her way to please anyone.
So her message was polite, but nothing more than that.
If Jamison said she didn’t need to visit, she certainly wouldn’t insist – or try to force herself where she wasn’t wanted.
Besides, she hadn’t been feeling well these past few days and didn’t have the energy to run around.
There was no reply to her message. Ivy checked the time – the markets had opened. She shook off her worries and focused on The Windsor Group’s stock.
She’d been planning her move against the Windsor family for a long time, and everything was coming to a head. There could be no mistakes now.
If her revenge failed, not only would she lose the five hundred million Jamison had promised – she’d never be able to pay it back, not in this lifetime.
At the hospital.
Jamison hadn’t gone home the previous night – he’d slept in the hospital’s family lounge. Early in the morning, he followed the doctors as they made their rounds and examined Adela Ludwig.
After a thorough evaluation, the team of cardiologists agreed: she’d need an interventional procedure.
Back in her room, Jamison found his mother awake. She beckoned him closer.
He went to her side and spoke softly, “Mom, what is it?”
Adela, her voice weak and slow, managed a tired smile. “You’ve been up all night looking after me – you must be exhausted.”
“It’s nothing,” he reassured her.
“And what about Micah? Did your father – did he hit him again?”
“He deserved it,” Jamison replied.
She let out a weary sigh. “He really is hopeless. Over twenty and still hasn’t accomplished a thing… That boy’s nothing but trouble.”
Since they were already on the subject, Jamison added, “He’d be better off shipped overseas for a few years – maybe he’d finally grow up.”
Adela looked startled. “Do your sister and her husband agree?”
“They’re reluctant, but my brother and I talked it over last night. We’re on the same page.” In Jamison’s mind, the decision was made. For the sake of both families, it was time to send his wayward nephew away.
Adela was still sighing when the room’s door swung open and the entire Ludwig clan streamed in – including Danny.
Jamison filled everyone in on his mother’s condition, then told the nurse to prepare for surgery before heading back to his office.
His phone had been charging; when he picked it up, he saw Ivy’s missed call and her message.
His eyes darkened – she knew?
Without hesitating, he grabbed his phone and called her back.
At that moment, Ivy was curled up in bed, clutching her stomach. When the phone rang and she saw Jamison’s name, her frown deepened.
She couldn’t let him know how unwell she was. Forcing herself up, she took a deep breath, steadied herself, and answered, “Hey… Are you done with everything for now?”