Chapter 474

What should she do? The urge to spill the truth was almost overwhelming.

After a moment’s hesitation, she pressed her lips together and tapped the screen.

Mrs. Smith: Take a guess.

Bob: Ahhh! What does that mean? Are you saying you two are having an affair, or that you and Dr. Handsome are actually the same person?

Dale: No way they’re the same person. I know Dr. Handsome–he’s been working for years, a hotshot surgeon. There’s no way he’s back in school.

Jay: Then it must be the affair.

Coach Murphy: Wait, didn’t Mrs. Smith say she got married a while back? And Dr. Handsome mentioned he was seeing someone too… If they’re really having an affair, that means-

Bob: @Coach Murphy, come on! If they’re having an affair, then one of them is lying. Mrs. Smith and Dr. Handsome are a couple–they’re married!

Ivy pressed a hand to her forehead. Her heart was racing, and her cheeks burned.

These people were way too sharp. The truth was practically out.

But the man driving the car beside her still had no idea.

Noticing her odd expression, Jamison shot her a curious look. “What’s up? Who are you texting?”

Ivy turned to him, her pretty eyes sparkling, a sly, almost teasing smile on her delicate face.

“Just chatting with some friends online.” She feigned a grumble. “That friend of yours–the one in our group–hasn’t shown up in ages. I texted him, and he never replies. You think something happened to him?”

Jamison’s heart skipped a beat.

She texted him?

He’d just logged out of WhatsApp, worried a sudden message would give him away. “Don’t overthink it. Doctors are busy people. He probably just hasn’t had time to check his messages.” He kept his expression calm, not giving anything away.

Ivy thought to herself, What a fox. He’s so good at pretending.

“Let’s hope he’s just too busy…” Ivy sighed.

Jamison pretended to be jealous. “You’re sitting right next to your husband, and you’re worried about some guy online? Isn’t that a bit much?”

“Really? He’s just a friend. And you say you’re not the jealous type?”

Jamison was at a loss for words.

Ivy scrolled back to the group chat.

It was in full meltdown.

Bob: @Mrs. Smith, come on! Is it true?

Jay: If it is, when you two finally have your wedding, we’re sitting at the main table!

Dale: No way, right?

Coach Murphy: I always thought something was up with them, but Dr. Handsome’s so reserved I never dared ask.

Jay: @Mrs. Smith, where are you? Are you with Dr. Handsome right now?

Bob: Isn’t it obvious? Of course she is!

Jay: You two are such good liars. We never saw it coming.

Ivy stared at her phone, unable to contain her smile.

Jamison looked even more puzzled. “What’s so funny? Who are you talking to?”

A lie sprang easily to Ivy’s lips. “Katrina’s venting to me about her latest blind date. Total disaster.”

“Katrina Lester is still doing blind dates?”

“Yup.”

The group chat was blowing up with tags. Ivy couldn’t hide, so she popped back in.

This time, she kept it playful.

Mrs. Smith: Your imaginations are something else. You guys are amazing at jumping to conclusions.

Bob: What do you mean? Did we get it wrong?

Ivy didn’t answer.

Chapter 474

The car turned into a quiet side street. Jamison gave her a heads up. “Almost there.”

She peered out the window, puzzled. “There are restaurants around here?”

“It’s a private kitchen,” he explained. “Invite only. Regulars only.”

Ivy nodded, watching as the car stopped in front of an elegant villa, flanked by stone lions at the gate. She couldn’t help but be impressed.

As soon as they parked, Jamison’s phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, face darkening slightly. “Ivy, go ahead inside. I’ll take this call.”

“Okay.” From the look on his face, Ivy could guess who it was.

Dale, of course. Ever since his niece’s rehab, he’d kept in touch with Jamison.

With the group chat exploding, he was bound to call for confirmation.

Late summer, early fall–the garden was bursting with chrysanthemums in every color and size, lush and decadent.

Stepping into the courtyard, Ivy was instantly distracted by the breathtaking flowers, not caring one bit how Jamison was doing with his phone call.

He’d have to come in and explain himself soon enough.

Outside the villa, Jamison waited until his wife was inside, then looked down at his phone.

Dale Sullivan was calling. Jamison assumed it was about his niece’s recovery again.

But as soon as he answered, Dale’s words hit him like a freight train.

“Dr. Ludwig, are you married to Mrs. Smith from our ‘Stonks Only Go Up‘ group?”

Jamison’s face fell, mind going blank as shock flickered in his eyes. “Who told you that?”

“No one. We figured it out. Mrs. Smith didn’t deny it.”

His voice grew tense. “What are you talking about?”

“Just check the group chat. Right after you left, Mrs. Smith popped online and everyone started speculating-”

Before Dale could finish, Jamison ended the call, dropped his phone for a second, then hurriedly logged back into WhatsApp.