Chapter 475: Ivy, Marry Me

Ivy suppressed her inner thoughts and focused on her work.

Sure enough, once she started working, she could forget about everything else.

She began to review the documents with such focus that she didn’t even notice when the study door opened, nor when the man walked in.

It wasn’t until a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, his masculine scent—a sweet, faint hint of mint—enveloping her, that Ivy tilted her head. "How did you know I was here?"

"Norhaven’s a small place. I just guessed."

Ivy was speechless.

’Anyone else would probably punch him for saying that.’

Norhaven was far too grand to be described as ’a small place.’ The estate was larger than the mansions of ancient nobles and dignitaries, and it was exquisitely built. Although property prices in Lustre weren’t as high as in Aethelgard, creating a home like this would cost a ten-figure sum at the very least.

"You must be a real genius to have guessed where I was so quickly." Ivy felt a tickle on her neck where Quentin Blackwood’s hair brushed against her skin.

In reality, Quentin Blackwood hadn’t guessed at all. He’d been searching all over for her.

He first thought Ivy Sherwood had left and only learned she was still there after asking the staff at the main gate.

After that, Quentin Blackwood searched around a bit more and finally found Ivy here.

"I still have a bit of work to do. Why don’t you go rest first?"

"No, it’s fine. I’ll wait for you to finish." Quentin remained just like that, holding Ivy from behind.

With Quentin Blackwood right there, Ivy felt too self-conscious to work. It was like having a principal staring over her shoulder. She felt like a rookie employee, and he was the big boss; she was worried she’d do something wrong and he’d see it.

"Please don’t watch me work. You’re making me nervous."

Quentin seized the opportunity to plant a kiss on Ivy Sherwood’s cheek. "I’m not watching you work. I’m watching you."

’She’s right here in my arms. How could I possibly pay attention to her work? My eyes are only for her.’

Ivy was speechless.

Ivy had no choice but to get back to work, except now someone was getting handsy.

First, the man’s arm circled her waist, his large, warm palm coming to rest on her lower abdomen as if to feel the baby’s presence. Then, his mouth grew restless, leaving a trail of kisses on Ivy’s cheek and neck.

Ivy had no choice but to speed up. She finished reading the document, took care of the sections that needed her input, and sent it off to Edie.

"Stop it. I’m finished."

"Then let’s go to bed."

Ivy nodded. "Mm."

Just as she was about to put on her shoes, the man unexpectedly swept her up into his arms.

"Hey!" Ivy cried out in surprise. "What are you doing?!"

She instinctively wrapped her arms around Quentin Blackwood’s neck, afraid of being dropped.

Quentin carried Ivy back to the bedroom and placed her on the bed. He lay down beside her and pulled the covers over them.

"I haven’t given you permission to sleep in the same bed as me!"

Quentin casually moved closer to Ivy, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her against his chest.

"Just for tonight, indulge me. Please?"

Ivy thought for a moment. "All right. But only this once."

"Mm," Quentin’s voice was a low murmur.

Ivy knew he had a lot on his mind, too. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Quentin Blackwood’s waist, the two of them now holding each other as they prepared to sleep.

"So, what happened to Caleb Blackwood?" Ivy asked.

"He’s crippled."

Two simple, brutal words, but they summed up everything.

"How is he crippled?" Ivy had only heard the screams from outside; she had no idea what the situation inside was like.

"In every way."

He’ll never speak again, never stand again, and he’ll never be able to lift his hands. His manhood was ruined as well.

In other words, he’s a helpless invalid in a wheelchair, incapable of doing anything and completely dependent on others to care for him.

As things stood, it was highly unlikely the Blackwood family would care for Caleb Blackwood, and Silas Blackwood certainly wouldn’t.

The rest of his life, it was safe to say, would be utterly miserable.

But Caleb Blackwood had brought all this upon himself. He had committed countless atrocities in his life, his hands stained with the blood of innumerable people.

Quentin had learned the truth about his mother’s death. Caleb Blackwood had lured her to the seaside, stolen her belongings, and pushed her into the ocean, staging it to look like she had slipped and fallen. Afterward, Caleb had used her phone to message Winter Mercer, tricking her into rushing to the scene.

Caleb Blackwood had indeed planned to kill them both, but he miscalculated, and Winter Mercer escaped with her life.

But in the end, Winter Mercer had still died.

Quentin also asked if Caleb Blackwood had killed Winter Mercer, but Caleb denied it, and it didn’t look like he was lying.

"So you knew about this the whole time."

Ivy said, "I’m sorry, I never told you. But our relationship was so strained back then, wasn’t it? And besides, I told you it couldn’t have been my mother."

"So you knew all along that your intended was actually me. That means we were always destined to be together. It’s perfectly justifiable."

In fact, when Quentin Blackwood had heard that part of the recording, his heart had nearly leaped out of his chest. The shock of such an incredible windfall almost left him stunned.

’So it had been destined since childhood. Ivy was meant to be his.’

But the trajectory of their fate had been deliberately rewritten, and that man, Caleb Blackwood, was the main culprit!

"What do you mean ’perfectly justifiable’? I haven’t agreed to anything yet!"

"Our mom already agreed."

"What ’our mom’? Don’t go claiming family ties! My mother is my mother, and your mother is your mother!"

’They weren’t even a family yet, and Quentin Blackwood was already getting ahead of himself.’

"I’m so happy," Quentin said, his hand stroking her hair, his deep voice a murmur beside her ear.

Ivy froze for a second. "Happy about what?"

"That you’re mine. All mine." His possessiveness was palpable.

He was just so happy—happy about many things, but most of all, because of Ivy Sherwood.

The corners of Ivy’s lips curved up into a smile, and this time, she didn’t argue.

"Ivy, marry me."

Ivy’s ears flushed red. ’This... Isn’t this a little too fast?’

Quentin Blackwood had mentioned marriage before, but Ivy had never been ready for it.

Hearing Quentin Blackwood say it again now, Ivy felt her heart give a little flutter.

Her fingers toyed with the fabric of Quentin Blackwood’s shirt. "I have to think about it," she said. "And I’m not just thinking for myself anymore, so I can’t be so easily swayed. If you can’t win over my family, then it’s not a given that I’ll marry you."

"Your grandfather and brothers are reasonable men. I’m sure they’ll let you marry me."

"I wouldn’t be so sure about that. You haven’t exactly made a good impression on them."

"Then I’ll just have to be on my best behavior and take excellent care of my Ivy."

"Hey, you can talk all you want, but don’t get any ideas! Keep your hands to yourself... I... Mmph—" Before Ivy could finish, her words were smothered by his fiery lips.