Chapter 451: I Did It On Purpose

Nina Scott didn’t seem to see Quentin Blackwood, so Ivy Sherwood hurried after her.

The room was empty, but Ivy Sherwood didn’t breathe a sigh of relief. Seeing Nina Scott walk over to open her closet, Ivy stopped her. "Nina, I’m not cold. I don’t need another layer."

Ivy wasn’t sure if Quentin Blackwood was hiding in the closet. It would be incredibly awkward if she opened it and a man popped out.

"It’s better to grab an extra one just in case. You’re not just looking out for yourself anymore. Since I’m taking you out, I have to make sure you’re safe."

With that, Nina Scott opened the closet.

Ivy braced herself for the worst, but Nina Scott simply pulled out an outfit. "Ivy, what’s wrong with you? You’re acting strange."

There was no one in the closet. Ivy Sherwood breathed a sigh of relief.

’Thank goodness Quentin Blackwood is so unpredictable; he wasn’t hiding in the closet after all.’

"Come on, let’s get going before it gets too late."

Nina Scott said, "What’s the rush?"

Just as Ivy Sherwood was pulling Nina Scott away, the bathroom door creaked open.

Quentin Blackwood walked right out. He had apparently just showered and was wearing nothing but a bath towel. Both Ivy Sherwood and Nina Scott froze.

"Ivy, you... you really were hiding a man! But why him? What is that dog Quentin doing here?"

Ivy facepalmed. ’I have no idea what Quentin is trying to pull,’ she thought. ’And Nina... calling him that to his face? Isn’t that a bit much?’

"Did you two spend the night together? What happened between you? Don’t tell me you..."

While Nina Scott was still in shock, Quentin Blackwood said, "Everything happened."

"Ivy, you two... Did you forgive this scumbag?"

Quentin emerging at this exact moment, fresh from a shower... Ivy had a strong feeling he was doing it on purpose.

"No, I haven’t. It’s a long story. I’ll explain it all to you later."

Ivy Sherwood pushed Nina Scott toward the door. ’I’ll deal with Quentin Blackwood later!’

"Did he force you? Did he do something to you again? Ivy, don’t stop me. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind today! How could you treat our Ivy like this? I entrusted my best friend to you because I thought you were a dependable person, someone who could give her a happy life."

"But what about you? Do you have any idea how heartbroken Ivy was? Do you know what she’s been through all this time?"

Quentin Blackwood didn’t know, but he could imagine.

Ivy’s personality wasn’t weak, but she wasn’t one to open up, either. Even when she was hurt, she would surely keep it all inside, pretending to be fine so as not to worry anyone. In reality, she would grieve silently, alone in the dead of night.

During that time, Ivy had probably just found out she was pregnant, which must have made her even more miserable.

"We might not be as capable or as rich as you, but our Ivy didn’t do anything to provoke you, did she? Do you have to be so aggressive and relentless? We know we can’t afford to cross you, but can’t you let us hide in peace? This is just a small city; it’s not big enough to accommodate a big shot like you!"

Nina Scott really disliked Quentin Blackwood now. ’So what if he’s handsome?’ she thought. ’Does that give him the right to act so recklessly?’

Quentin Blackwood walked over to stand beside Ivy Sherwood. "Ivy and I have cleared everything up. I was in the wrong before, and now I’m trying to win her back."

"Don’t give me that. Who gave you the right to call her Ivy? Besides, she doesn’t lack for suitors. Our Ivy is so wonderful, plenty of people are interested in her."

Quentin Blackwood said, "I’ll get in line."

Nina Scott felt like he wasn’t just getting in line—he was cutting right to the front!

"Alright, alright, you two. Weren’t we supposed to be going out? Nina, let’s go."

Nina Scott said, "Ivy, don’t let him bewitch you. You can’t trust a smooth-talker. I’ll go wait for you downstairs. You deal with him and get down here, quick!"

With that, Nina Scott headed downstairs. ’Her Ivy was backsliding again,’ she fumed. ’What happened to not getting hung up on one guy?’

Although Nina Scott was all for Ivy Sherwood finding a man, she certainly didn’t mean Quentin Blackwood!

Ivy Sherwood looked at Quentin Blackwood, who confessed first, "I did it on purpose."

Ivy Sherwood: "..."

’He actually dared to admit it! Isn’t he afraid I’ll get angry?’

Quentin Blackwood said, "She’s your best friend, and I’m your future boyfriend. I think it’s necessary for her to know I exist and to get used to me being around."

"You’re not my future..."

Before Ivy Sherwood could get angry, Quentin Blackwood pulled her into his embrace. "Go have a good time. I’ll come pick you up this afternoon."

"I don’t need you to pick me up!"

Quentin Blackwood’s hand stroked Ivy Sherwood’s hair, his low chuckle sounding right by her ear. "If you don’t go have fun now, you’ll have to stay home and keep me company."

"I’ll deal with you when I get back!"

...

Downstairs, when Ivy Sherwood got back into the car, Nina Scott was angry. "Ivy, did you forgive that scumbag that easily? Did he trick you again?"

Ivy Sherwood said, "I haven’t forgiven him yet."

"Then he’s already waltzed right into your apartment, he even took a shower! Did you two sleep together last night? Does he know about the baby?"

"He’s not staying with me, and we didn’t sleep together last night. But he did make breakfast."

Nina Scott: "..."

’And to think I said the breakfast was delicious,’ she thought. ’I take it back!’

’That breakfast wasn’t delicious at all! It was disgusting!’

"And you lied to me! You said your brother was the one who ate here."

"I’m sorry." Ivy Sherwood’s head drooped lower and lower. This was indeed her fault.

"Oh, forget it. What choice do I have but to forgive you?"

"Thank you, my dear Nina. I know you’re just looking out for me, afraid I’ll get tricked by him again. But don’t worry, I’m not that easy to fool anymore. Let’s drop the subject and go have some fun."

"Okay! I heard there’s a peach blossom grove in the outskirts that’s supposed to be gorgeous!"

Nina Scott started the car, and they headed toward their destination.

They didn’t notice a car following them. Quentin Blackwood was tailing the two of them quietly; he really wasn’t comfortable with them going out alone.

Quentin Blackwood could only feel at ease when Ivy Sherwood was within his line of sight.

He followed them discreetly, careful not to be discovered.

The peach blossom grove here was truly beautiful. Miles of peach blossoms were in full bloom, filling the air with the spirit of spring.

Fallen blossoms fluttered in the air, creating a rain of petals. Amidst the flowers, Ivy Sherwood looked like a beautiful, ethereal sprite.

Quentin Blackwood couldn’t resist pulling out his phone to secretly take photo after photo. Every single shot was beautiful, treasures for him to cherish and keep.

Ivy Sherwood and Nina Scott had a wonderful, though tiring, day of fun.

Nina Scott drove her home safely, still worried that "that man" might be there.

"He’s probably not. I’m sure he left a long time ago. You should head home, Nina."

"Alright, then. Call me if anything happens."

Ivy Sherwood wasn’t sure if Quentin Blackwood was still there, either. She keyed in the code to her door, and when it opened, she saw him sitting on her sofa, just as she’d feared.

"Why are you still here?" ’He couldn’t have been here all day, could he?’

Quentin Blackwood, who had arrived a step ahead of her, said, "You said you were going to deal with me when you got back. So, how do you want to do that?"