Chapter 472

"Bastard." That was the only word Jamison could think of.

"Who isn’t? They’re worse than animals."

"Alright, keep watching."

"Yeah."

As soon as he hung up, Jamison mulled it over and the whole picture clicked into place.

The Windsor Group was in deep trouble now, and the Windsor family must be scrambling. If they went to beg Sheridan for help, they’d have to offer him something in return.

Maybe betraying Emma was their bargaining chip?

Or maybe Sheridan never intended to help the Windsors at all. He could easily lure Emma to his side with promises of profit, so she’d stop working for the Windsors and do his bidding instead.

Emma never had much of a moral compass anyway. For money and a shot at marrying into old money, she’d sell her body and soul without a second thought.

Still, judging by what happened tonight, Emma was probably regretting everything.

Jamison’s guess was spot on.

Emma was indeed drowning in regret, so much that it made her physically ill.

She had no idea who tipped off the police, but soon all three of them were hauled away to the station.

There hadn’t been any money exchanged – so technically it wasn’t prostitution – but because there were three people involved, it still counted as “lewd conduct,” and they each got a citation.

When Sheridan got word and showed up at the station, the two businessmen–furious and humiliated–punched him right in front of the cops.

They thought Sheridan had set them up.

Sheridan couldn’t explain himself. With his face battered and bloody, he turned his rage on Emma.

Luckily, all this happened at the station, with officers around, so Emma was spared another beating.

That was when she finally understood what Ivy had meant – why she’d rather go to jail.

Thinking about life with Sheridan, Emma realized she really would rather be locked up. At least jail had a time limit; at worst, she’d just lose her freedom and have to do some work every day.

But with Sheridan, she might have money to spend and no forced labor, but every few days she’d get smacked around, left covered in bruises. Now he was even dragging her out to entertain his clients.

Even worse, those businessmen were more depraved than any street thug. They treated her like an object, not a person, each one with their own twisted appetites.

The regret was unbearable.

But there’s no turning back time. No such thing as a do-over.

Saturday morning, Adela Ludwig was discharged and came home.

Jamison ate lunch at the old family house, took a short rest, and then, barely able to contain himself, set off to pick up his wife.

While waiting for Ivy in the car, he finally had a rare moment of peace. He logged into WhatsApp for the first time in days.

Even though the stock market was closed for the weekend, everyone was still trading rumors and watching for good news.

Coach Murphy had forwarded a few articles, dissecting how they might affect next week’s market.

Jamison hadn’t traded stocks in a while, so he wasn’t interested in the articles. But remembering his wife’s status in their trading circle, he couldn’t help but chime in, a little smug.

Dr. Handsome: You guys should just wait until Mrs. Smith is free and ask her opinion.

Bob: Dr. Handsome! You finally show up. These days you’re like a unicorn – only rumors, never a sighting.

Jay: So, Dr. Handsome, you up or down lately?

Dr. Handsome: Up.

He’d won the girl – how could he not be winning?

Bob: Even Dr. Handsome made money, and I lost a whole month’s profits in just two days! sobs

Dale: Don’t feel bad. I lost my shirt too. Maybe that makes you feel a bit better.

Bob: I’d rather we both made money!

Coach Murphy: Mrs. Smith’s stock picks have been on fire. She posts her reviews every night at the same time – but never chats in the group anymore.

Jamison saw that and instinctively replied: She’s been busy studying for exams lately.

The moment it sent, he realized his mistake and hurriedly deleted the message.

But not fast enough.

Bob: Why’d you delete that, Dr. Handsome? Feeling guilty?

Coach Murphy: How do you know Mrs. Smith is studying for exams? Been chatting her up on the side?

Jay: I don’t know why, but I just get the feeling you two are having an affair.

Actually, everyone suspected as much – they just never said it, afraid to make things awkward and risk annoying Dr. Handsome.

But this time, when they teased him, Dr. Handsome didn’t get angry.

Dr. Handsome: No affair. We’re completely above board.

Above board and madly in love.

Dale: I believe Dr. Handsome. He already has a girlfriend. At most, he just admires Mrs. Smith.

Dr. Handsome: That explanation is worse than none at all.

Dale: [laugh–cry emoji]

They chatted on and off for an hour. Then Jamison’s phone rang.

His face lit up as he answered. “You finished your exam already? I thought you had half an hour left.”

Ivy’s voice was light: “I turned it in early.”

“Turned it in early? Was it too hard?”

She bristled. “Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jamison laughed. He’d baited her on purpose.

“Just kidding. I’ve heard all about Miss Ivy – the genius who breezes through exams. If you finished early, it’s because it was too easy for you.”

Ivy ignored his flattery, cutting straight to the point: “The test was challenging, but I worked through it carefully and checked my answers. I just didn’t want you waiting around too long, so I turned it in and came out.”

Jamison was genuinely touched. “So you rushed through the exam just to keep me from getting bored waiting?”

“…” Ivy realized what she’d admitted and fell silent.

“My car’s right outside – you’ll see me as soon as you come out.”

“Okay. I’m hanging up.”

They ended the call. Jamison closed WhatsApp, adjusted his seat, and drove to the entrance to wait for his wife.

The moment Ivy stepped out of the exam building, she spotted his car.

“Need a ride, gorgeous?” He rolled down the window, his sharp features half-hidden behind dark sunglasses, making him look even more striking.