Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Ivy Sherwood Must Marry, Whether She Wants to or Not
Ivy Sherwood didn’t receive a reply until that evening.
True to his usual style, it was just a simple, one-word reply: "Mm."
For the next few days, Ivy Sherwood and Quentin Blackwood had no contact—not as Ivy, and not as Wendy Summers.
As her wedding date with Silas Blackwood drew nearer, Ivy Sherwood began packing her things, preparing to run for it.
In truth, she couldn’t bear to part with her brand. If she left, Iris would likely be finished.
If she wanted to protect Iris, she had to find someone more powerful than Caleb Blackwood to watch over it. That was the only way Caleb wouldn’t dare to make a move.
After mulling it over, she realized there was only one person suitable for the job: Quentin Blackwood.
’But with a personality like Quentin’s, how could he possibly agree?’
’I have to find a way, an opportunity to manipulate him. Coercion, temptation... there has to be a way.’
’That man is easy enough to handle. It shouldn’t be too hard.’
Ivy Sherwood had already chosen her destination: South America. It was far from here. She’d stay there for a year or so before quietly returning.
Ivy Sherwood had already started booking her flights and arranging for hotel rooms.
But she had underestimated Caleb Blackwood’s influence. News of her flight booking quickly reached his ears.
Caleb Blackwood was about to give a media interview and was currently preparing in his dressing room.
His subordinate approached him. "President Blackwood, here is Miss Sherwood’s flight information. The destination is very far away, and the flight is the day before the wedding. She’s planning to run. Should we secretly cancel her flight, or have someone tail her?"
Caleb Blackwood let out a cold laugh. "Just a childish trick."
’Did she really think such a transparent ploy would be enough to escape his grasp?’
"Is Yvonne Summers’s urn in place?" Caleb Blackwood asked.
His man replied, "It’s in place."
A look of absolute certainty crossed Caleb Blackwood’s face. With her mother’s ashes in his possession, he didn’t believe Ivy Sherwood could possibly escape.
Ivy Sherwood would go through with this marriage, whether she liked it or not.
Just then, someone entered. "President Blackwood, we’re all set. This way, please."
It was time for the interview, and Caleb Blackwood went to face the media.
The interview started with business-related questions. Toward the end, noticing how pleased he looked, one of the reporters asked if he had some happy news to share.
"Indeed, there is happy news to share. My son, Silas Blackwood, and the young heiress of the Sherwood family, Ivy Sherwood, will be tying the knot soon. When the time comes, I sincerely invite you all to join us for the celebration."
The interview quickly started trending online, with news of the "Blackwood Family’s Eldest Young Master and the Sherwood Family’s Heiress Tying the Knot" spreading like wildfire.
It hit one trending list after another, making it obvious that Caleb Blackwood had arranged for the publicity.
Caleb Blackwood was using the weight of public opinion to force Ivy to go through with the wedding.
When Nina Scott saw the news, she couldn’t help but worry for Ivy.
The reports were already referring to Ivy as the future Mrs. Blackwood. It would be incredibly difficult for her to call off the engagement now.
Someone else was also deeply unhappy about the marriage announcement: Anna Nash.
When she saw the news, the name "Mrs. Blackwood" filled her with rage!
Anna Nash hadn’t been able to hold on to Silas Blackwood for the past few days. He used to spend every night with her, but now he wouldn’t even necessarily answer her calls.
Anna Nash stared down at her phone, the call automatically disconnecting. It was the fifth time she had tried calling Silas that night.
She had no idea what Silas had been busy with lately; he was practically a ghost.
She had also heard that preparations for his and Ivy’s wedding were underway. They were even drafting the guest list, and Silas hadn’t objected.
Furious, Anna Nash called Gideon Gordon and asked him to meet her for a drink.
At the bar, Anna Nash sat in heavy makeup, wearing a camisole and a miniskirt. An array of drinks was spread out before her. Across from her, Gideon Gordon just watched, making no move to stop her from drinking.
There was a profound look in Gideon Gordon’s eyes. As he watched Anna drink herself into a haze, he pulled her into his arms, letting her rest against his chest.
"What, he’s giving you the cold shoulder again?"
"He hasn’t come to see me at all lately. And he’s getting married... What does she have that I don’t? I’ve worked harder than her my entire life, but I’m still never as good as her."
"She’s not even as pretty as I am, but the teachers always liked her more, and the other kids all wanted to be her friend. She looked down on me, always making a show of ’helping’ me just to prove how kind and generous she was. She used me as a stepping stone to make herself look good!"
"Why? Why is the world so unfair!" Anna Nash downed two more drinks.
Gideon Gordon took the glass from her hand. "Who made my baby so unhappy? Tell me, and I’ll take care of her for you."
Gideon Gordon had the air of a thug. With his fierce looks, he had only recently been released from prison and was considered a minor boss in the area.
"No need. I have my own methods. You just need to make sure I get pregnant as soon as possible!" She hooked a finger under Gideon’s chin.
Gideon Gordon hugged her. "Of course. I’m all yours tonight. The only question is if a little vixen like you can drain me dry."
...
Anna Nash’s birthday was coming up. In previous years, Silas Blackwood would always lavish her with gifts, from jewelry to entire houses.
This year, however, there was no sign of anything from Silas.
’Maybe he’s planning a surprise for me,’ Anna thought.
When her birthday finally arrived, she managed to get Silas to come over. But he arrived empty-handed, apparently having made no preparations at all.
It was only when he saw the candlelight dinner and birthday cake Anna had prepared that Silas even remembered it was her birthday.
He was overcome with guilt. "I’m so sorry, Anna. I’ve been so busy lately that I completely forgot your birthday. Tell me what you want, and I promise I’ll make it up to you."
Silas had indeed been very busy the last couple of days. For one thing, his father, Caleb, was pressuring him about the wedding arrangements.
The wedding was next month. On the surface, Silas acted as if his family was forcing him into it, but in reality, he no longer had any thoughts of calling it off.
Besides, he was also putting all his effort into pursuing that young model.
He sent her flowers and gifts every day, but the young model was apparently too busy. He’d been pursuing her for days without even catching a glimpse of her.
He heard the young model had been injured a few days ago but insisted on walking the runway anyway. She was a model of professionalism. Silas found himself liking her even more.
’But Silas wasn’t worried. As long as he was persistent, he was sure he could win her over.’
’Thinking of her devastatingly beautiful face, Silas felt that anything would be worth it. He would even give his life for her.’
Anna, unaware that Silas was pursuing a model, smiled radiantly, acting as if she didn’t mind at all that he had forgotten her birthday.
"Silas, just having you here with me on my birthday is enough. I don’t need any presents. I just want you to be with me."
"My Anna is always so sweet and obedient," Silas praised.
Anna smiled, and the two of them proceeded to drink quite a bit.
Once Silas was thoroughly drunk, Anna said, "Silas, I got a room upstairs. Let me help you up so you can rest, okay?"
Silas felt a wave of dizziness and let Anna help him up to the hotel room.
Silas was drunk and sleeping like a log. Anna stripped off his clothes, then sent a message to Ivy Sherwood...

Comments
Comment Rules
Please read and follow these rules before posting a comment. By submitting a comment, you agree to comply with all applicable rules below.
Site administrators and editors reserve the right to moderate, edit, or remove comments.
The following activities are strictly prohibited in comments and reviews:
Such comments will not make updates arrive faster. If a new chapter is available to us, we will publish it. If it has not been published, it means that we do not have it yet.
Do not flood the comment section by posting multiple consecutive comments. You may edit your previous comment to add more information, or include everything you want to say in a single comment.
Users who violate these rules may receive a warning. Repeated or serious violations may result in a temporary or permanent suspension of commenting privileges.
Commenting Suspended