Chapter 449: A Door Apart, a Stolen Affair with the Father-in-Law

"Boss Sherwood, this..."

The man was clearly wondering what business a bodyguard had interrupting.

Quentin Blackwood, focused on peeling a shrimp, continued without even looking up. "As far as I know, your company’s net profit wasn’t low last year. The fact that you didn’t make money is entirely a problem with your leadership’s decisions. Our terms are non-negotiable, not by a single cent. If we continue this conversation, you can either walk away, or we add another ten percent. You choose."

After Quentin Blackwood finished peeling the shrimp, he placed it directly on Ivy Sherwood’s plate, gesturing for her to eat.

Ivy Sherwood: "..."

’Just who is the boss here, and who’s negotiating this deal?’

Ivy Sherwood reached out and discreetly pinched Quentin Blackwood’s arm.

But Quentin Blackwood simply reached out with his other hand and enclosed hers in his palm.

Just like that, they were holding hands!

Ivy Sherwood had seen Quentin Blackwood work before, but she had rarely seen him negotiate a deal. ’Is this really how DG does business? With a tone that aggressive, isn’t he afraid of getting punched?’

’His business partners must have incredible tempers.’

Just as Ivy Sherwood pinched Quentin Blackwood’s palm, trying to pull her hand back, she heard the client say, "Since President Sherwood is so straightforward, let’s call it a deal. We’ll stick to the original price. Please, President Sherwood, don’t raise it on me again."

Ivy Sherwood hadn’t expected him to cave so quickly. Quentin Blackwood’s intimidation tactics were surprisingly effective.

Then again, only someone like Quentin Blackwood could pull off this negotiation style. With his face and his powerful aura, his attitude was a clear ’take it or leave it.’ It broadcasted that *they* needed *him*, not the other way around, so all the leverage was in his hands.

Ivy Sherwood said, "Alright. It’s a pleasure doing business with you."

"A pleasure."

With the deal finalized, Ivy Sherwood looked down and saw that Quentin Blackwood had already piled her plate high with food.

"I can’t eat all this." Ivy Sherwood’s appetite hadn’t been very good lately.

Some women get a bigger appetite when they’re pregnant, but Ivy Sherwood had actually lost quite a bit of weight. She really couldn’t eat much.

Quentin Blackwood said, "It’s fine. Just eat what you can."

As Ivy Sherwood ate, Quentin Blackwood handed her a glass of water. "Drink some water so you don’t choke."

Watching from across the table, the business partner wondered, ’Is that really her bodyguard and not her boyfriend? He’s more attentive than any boyfriend I’ve ever seen.’

"President Sherwood, your bodyguard is quite something. Where did you find him?" the business partner asked, his curiosity piqued.

Ivy Sherwood gave an embarrassed smile. "Oh, I just found him randomly. He has a bit of a temper. Please don’t mind him, Mr. Linton."

The meal ended quickly. After some brief pleasantries, the dinner party broke up.

They left the private room together. Their cars were waiting at the entrance, ready to depart.

But just as they stepped out of the elevator, they unexpectedly ran into Caleb Blackwood.

When Caleb Blackwood saw Quentin Blackwood, his eyes nearly popped out of his head in shock.

"Quentin Blackwood!" Caleb Blackwood cried out.

His shout stunned the business partner behind them. ’Didn’t they say he wasn’t President Blackwood? Then how...’

"Get lost!" Quentin Blackwood had no desire to see Caleb Blackwood.

Caleb Blackwood had had a bit to drink, but the shock was enough to sober him up instantly. Not daring to linger in Quentin Blackwood’s presence, he quickly scrambled away.

Caleb Blackwood had been on edge every day, knowing Quentin Blackwood was in Lustre. He worried about what Ivy Sherwood might tell Quentin, and that Quentin would come looking for him.

’If Quentin Blackwood learns the truth about his mother’s death, I’m a dead man.’

Besides, Quentin Blackwood was with Ivy Sherwood right now. He was afraid Ivy would blurt out the truth on the spot, so it was better to just flee.

Quentin Blackwood acted as if nothing had happened, leading Ivy Sherwood out. He was still holding her hand.

Meanwhile, the business partner in the elevator was left in a state of shock, unable to process what had just happened.

He didn’t snap out of it until the elevator doors closed, went up—presumably because someone on a higher floor had called it—and then opened again to let someone in.

’Quentin Blackwood... It really was President Quentin Blackwood!’

’He’d actually had dinner with President Blackwood. And President Blackwood was acting as someone’s bodyguard! The world had turned into something he could no longer comprehend.’

...

After seeing Quentin Blackwood, Caleb Blackwood was on edge for the rest of the evening. Even during his dinner meeting, he was distracted and fearful.

It was very late when Caleb Blackwood returned home. Only Anna Nash was still in the living room.

Seeing Caleb Blackwood, Anna Nash went to greet him. "Dad, you’re back."

"Dad, have you been drinking? I made some soup to help you sober up. I’ll go get it for you." Anna Nash went into the kitchen and quickly returned with the soup.

Caleb Blackwood sat on the sofa, and Anna Nash began to massage his shoulders and temples.

But as she massaged him, her hands began to wander.

"Dad, you must be tired. Why don’t we go to the bedroom? Anna can give you a proper massage, okay?"

Caleb Blackwood was already aroused. ’That bitch Anna really has a knack for seduction.’

"Mm," Caleb Blackwood grunted, not refusing.

After drinking the soup, Caleb Blackwood went upstairs. Both Mrs. Blackwood and Silas Blackwood were home tonight.

Silas Blackwood was in his room trying to soothe the baby, and Mrs. Blackwood was likely already asleep.

The villa had many rooms. Caleb Blackwood went straight into an empty guest room, and Anna Nash followed him up.

The moment Anna Nash stepped inside, Caleb Blackwood pinned her against the wall. He didn’t treat her like a person, only a tool for his release, taking her forcefully.

Suddenly, a voice came from outside. It was Silas Blackwood.

Silas Blackwood was looking for Anna Nash. The baby was crying again, probably wanting to be fed.

"Anna! Anna!" he called out but saw no sign of her. It was strange; he had no idea where she had gone.

Inside the guest room, Anna Nash was covering her mouth, her eyes wide with terror. Caleb Blackwood had heard him too, but he deliberately pushed even harder.

Anna Nash almost cried out. Here she was, cheating on her husband with his own father.

Half an hour later, it was finally over. Anna Nash took a quick shower before returning to her room.

Silas Blackwood was at his wit’s end with the baby. When he saw Anna Nash, he snapped, "Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you all this time! Don’t you know the baby won’t stop crying?"

Anna Nash was still flustered from the thrillingly dangerous encounter. "I just went out for a walk. You should get some sleep. I’ll take care of the baby."

Silas Blackwood didn’t suspect a thing. He couldn’t be bothered with Anna Nash anyway and just rolled over and went to sleep.

Anna Nash looked at the child. He had been born prematurely, and even after all this time, he was still tiny, with reddish skin. He looked like a monster.

None of the Blackwoods liked this child. Mrs. Blackwood wouldn’t even spare him a glance.

Silas Blackwood didn’t like him either, but he felt it was his child, so he took care of him with what little patience he had.

Anna Nash looked at the baby, then touched her own stomach. ’I have to get pregnant with a true Blackwood heir as soon as possible.’

She had gone for a check-up just two days ago; there was no sign of pregnancy yet.

She wasn’t sure if Caleb Blackwood could still father a child at his age, but she figured it shouldn’t be a problem.

She had only rinsed off quickly in the shower, intentionally leaving Caleb Blackwood’s seed inside her, hoping she would get pregnant soon.