There was a brief pause on the other end before he explained, “Well… yesterday at the hospital, I saw your friend filling out the medical forms. There was a contact number on it.”

So that’s how he got my number.

Clever, aren’t we?

“What do you want?” Ivy snapped, massaging her temples with a growing sense of irritation – her tone was anything but polite.

It wasn’t so much that she blamed him for accidentally hurting her, but the fact that his sister was Celeste made her want nothing to do with him at all. Guilt by association, as far as she was concerned.

“Oh, it’s nothing really. I just wanted to check if you’re feeling any better today. Also, I picked up some fruit and some supplements for you. I’m outside the business school’s girls’ dorm – could you ask your roommate to come down and get them?”

Ivy’s frown deepened.

She’d known all too well, ever since she was a teenager, what it felt like to be pursued by guys.

Even if Lamont was only doing this out of a sense of responsibility, this level of attention was over the top.

Besides, after running into Celeste last night, Ivy was certain Celeste must’ve warned her little brother to keep his distance. Yet here he was, calling and dropping off gifts – if anything, it made his intentions look even less pure.

“No, thanks. I’m at home recovering – not on campus,” she shot back, shutting down any idea he might have had. She didn’t bother correcting him about which dorm she lived in; there was no need.

“You went home?” Lamont sounded surprised.

“Yeah. My husband picked me up last night.” She made a point of emphasizing her marital status, hoping he’d finally get the hint.

“Oh… I see. Well, I already bought everything, so when are you coming back to campus? I can bring it to you then.”

Clearly, he still wasn’t giving up – still trying to find a way to see her.

Ivy didn’t bother to hide her impatience. “Don’t bother. Just eat it yourself.”

“But I hurt you, so I should at least cover your emotional damages and maybe buy you some nourishing food, right? When would be a good time for–”

Ivy was speechless. For someone who seemed so cheerful and sunny, this guy had the thickest skin she’d ever seen.

“Lamont, there’s something to be said for self-awareness. Do you really want me to spell it out for you? Your sister is obsessed with my husband and won’t leave us alone. Now you’re after me – are you two planning to split up my marriage so each of you can take half?”

Ivy had never been afraid to be blunt.

Even before she and Jamison were together, she’d never hesitated to push back, no matter who she was dealing with. Compared to Jamison’s intimidating presence, Lamont was nothing, and she wasn’t about to be polite.

As expected, her words were met with stunned silence.

She couldn’t have cared less if he was hurt. “Don’t call me again, or I promise I’ll be even less polite next time.”

“Ivy, you’ve got it wro–” He started to explain, but she hung up without waiting to hear the rest.

Unbelievable.

She’d made it clear she was married, and he still had the nerve to act all attentive. The Quinn siblings really were a piece of work.

Ivy was sorely tempted to complain to her husband, but as she picked up her phone, she hesitated. Better not – he was busy enough as it was. No need to distract him with this nonsense.

And after what she’d said today, Lamont would surely get the message and back off.

What Ivy didn’t know was that while Lamont was bombarding her with unwanted attention, Celeste was already using the incident as an excuse to approach Jamison.

“Jamison, is Miss Windsor feeling any better today? She was supposed to stay overnight for observation, but she insisted on leaving,” Celeste said, seizing her chance. She hadn’t been able to get a word with Jamison in weeks, but now, thanks to Ivy, she finally had a legitimate reason to talk to him.

Jamison didn’t even look up from the medical chart in his hands. “Thanks for your concern. She’s much better today.”

“No need to thank me. It was my brother’s fault to begin with. Really, we ought to visit her and apologize in person.”

“You can apologize to me instead.” Jamison finally glanced at her, his tone cold and authoritative. “If you want, have your brother come to the hospital – I’ll pass along your apology to her.”

Celeste blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness.

Jamison seemed to sense her reluctance. Without another word, he stood and started to leave the office.

“Jamison–” Celeste hurried after him, swallowing her nerves. “An apology hardly seems enough. Miss Windsor was hurt and frightened. Don’t you think we should compensate her somehow, for the mental distress and inconvenience? Maybe we could set up a time to talk about it…”

Her intentions were clear – she was determined to use this incident to get as much time with Jamison as possible.

Jamison saw right through her.

He stopped in his tracks and turned, his gaze icy and unflinching as he looked her dead in the eye.

It had been a long time since Celeste had gotten his full attention. Now that he was actually looking at her, a flush crept up her neck and she suddenly felt awkward and small.

But as the seconds ticked by and he kept staring, that warmth turned to a cold sweat. She fidgeted, growing increasingly uneasy.

“Jamison… what–what’s that supposed to mean?” she managed, forcing herself to break the silence.

His expression changed, but he remained just as lofty and dismissive. “Dr. Quinn, if you want to keep your career in this field, I suggest you drop these ridiculous ideas. Not only am I already married, but even if I weren’t, I would never consider you.”

His words were both mocking and threatening.

To any woman, that would have been a brutal blow.

And for Celeste, it hit especially hard. She stood frozen, her face draining of color, tears limning in her eyes.

She was the youngest PhD in the entire medical school, praised by the faculty for her academic achievements. Over the years, men had pursued her by the dozens, if not hundreds. Never once had someone so thoroughly humiliated her to her face.