Chapter 450
If surrendering to Sheridan meant she could bask in luxury and maintain her life of privilege, why should she even bother currying favor with the Windsor family?
When Emma fell silent, Sheridan knew he’d convinced her.
“Finally figured it out, huh? From now on, just focus on keeping your husband happy. Take a page from Ivy’s book–see how smart she is? She’s completely cut ties with the Windsors.”
A flush of heat surged through Emma’s mind. The more she thought about it, the more Sheridan’s words sounded right.
She snapped back to the moment, forcing a smile in his direction. “Yeah… you really do treat me better than anyone else.”
Sheridan burst into hearty laughter.
Emma tilted her head up at him, eyes full of feigned adoration, though inwardly she vowed that someday, she’d make this monster pay a heavy price.
Sheridan, still grinning, glanced down and caught sight of the slender curve of her body. His gaze lingered on the bank card pressed between her breasts, perfectly still, and in that instant, a surge of desire washed over him.
Emma noticed the shift in his expression and tried to get up, but Sheridan grabbed her hair, yanking her back and tossing her roughly into his lap.
“Trying to run? Who else would care for you the way I do? Where do you think you could go?” Sheridan’s grip tightened, his voice laced with a cruel amusement.
Emma had no choice but to tilt her head back, forcing a shaky smile. “No, I just wanted to stand up for a second…”
“Tsk, tsk. Honestly, I almost hate to let you go.” His eyes roamed her flawless, camera–ready face. With a hungry smirk, he pushed her down onto the couch, scattering clothes in a matter of moments.
He didn’t care if she was already bruised and sore–he only cared about taking what he wanted. Emma’s screams and pleas for mercy echoed through the living room.
When Ivy woke up, dusk was already falling.
Her eyes fluttered open, and the pain in her body slowly faded, leaving only a deep, aching soreness in her lower back.
Her mind was still foggy, her thoughts blank, as if she’d been rebooted like a computer.
“Ivy, you’re awake? Feeling any better?” As she rolled over, Roberta’s concerned voice broke the quiet.
Ivy blinked, glancing at her roommate in surprise. “You’ve been here all this time? Didn’t go out at all?”
Roberta shook her head. “You weren’t doing well. I was worried something might happen if I left.” She’d had plans to head out that afternoon, but just couldn’t bring herself to leave Ivy alone.
“Thank you,” Ivy murmured again, sitting up and checking the time. It was already past four in the afternoon.
She’d slept for hours–completely dead to the world.
She reached for her phone. Two missed calls from Boyd.
There was also a message from Jamison: her grandmother’s surgery had gone smoothly, so she shouldn’t worry.
Relief washed over Ivy. As long as the operation was a success, Jamison wouldn’t be too anxious.
She didn’t want to interrupt them if they were busy at the hospital, so instead of calling, she texted back:
[That’s great. Take care of Grandma for now–I just finished up here. I’ll come by the hospital tomorrow.]
Roberta, seeing that Ivy was finally up, started packing her things to head out. “You skipped lunch. If you’re feeling better, you really should go grab something to eat. Your body can’t handle going all day without food.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it,” Ivy replied, her tone noticeably warmer than usual.
“I’ll see you later, then. Bye!”
“Bye.”
As soon as her roommate was gone, Ivy called Boyd back.
If he needed her, it probably had something to do with the Windsor family.
He picked up on the first ring. “Ivy! Are you okay? I called twice and couldn’t get through. I was about to go ask Jamison.”
Ivy, stomach empty and still weak, mustered her strength. “I’m alright. My phone was on silent–I didn’t hear it. You haven’t talked to Jamison yet, have you?”
“No, I know he’s been swamped lately. Besides, if I let something slip I’d never hear the end of it.”
Good, she thought. She didn’t want Jamison to know what she’d been through today. With his mother in the hospital and his wife in trouble, there was no need to tear him in two.
“Yeah, don’t bother him right now. His mom just had surgery–he’s got enough on his plate.” She got to the point. “So, you called about the Windsors?”
“Right. This afternoon, Adkins and Baillie went to see Sheridan–probably hoping to get help from the Carter family.”
Ivy’s curiosity was piqued. “How do you know?”
“Jamison had me put someone on Emma. They were camped outside the Carter estate and spotted the Windsors‘ men going in.”
Ivy’s eyes widened. “Jamison asked you to have someone watch Emma?”
Suddenly, everything clicked. Yesterday, Jamison had tried to persuade her to move back in, and when she refused, he quietly arranged protection–just in case Emma tried to cause trouble.
He never made a fuss, but he was always there, looking out for her. The thought filled Ivy with a rush of emotion.
“He did. You didn’t know?”
“He didn’t tell me,” Ivy admitted softly.
“Told you–my uncle’s crazy about you,” Boyd teased.
Ivy was left speechless, her heart warm with gratitude and guilt. She owed Jamison so much, and wondered how she could ever repay him.
After ending the call with Boyd, Ivy hesitated for a moment.
For some reason, she desperately missed Jamison–she just wanted to see him.
Her body still ached, but she was better than she’d been earlier. She could manage the drive.
She didn’t think twice. Gathering her things, she grabbed her car keys and headed out the door.