Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Taken Back to the Hotel by Quentin Blackwood Again
"I’m just being honest. Still, I’m curious... why are you here tonight?" Ivy Sherwood asked, stepping right up to Quentin Blackwood’s side.
The man moved his wrist, and the sandalwood-colored Buddha Beads wrapped around it shifted with a soft sound.
The Buddha Beads looked old, as if the man often caressed them. The beads alone gave off an air of deep sophistication.
Worn on Quentin Blackwood’s hand, they looked more like a seal.
She had looked into it before; Quentin Blackwood never took off the Buddha Beads on his wrist.
Ivy Sherwood was a little curious. ’Who could have given them to him for them to be so important?’
"You don’t need to know." Quentin Blackwood’s tone was icy. He had only come today because the Scott Family had helped him in the past. His appearance was a gesture of respect toward them.
"Fine, don’t tell me. It’s not like knowing would do me any good anyway."
Ivy Sherwood moved closer, bringing that faint scent of hers with her.
For the past few days, Quentin Blackwood hadn’t been resting well.
His sleep disorder was already severe. The first few days after returning to Lustre, he had actually slept quite well and had assumed it was because of the city. But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.
’He didn’t dare to consider if it had something to do with Ivy Sherwood. How could his sleep possibly depend on a woman?’
’Perhaps it was related to that faint fragrance on her.’
"What perfume are you wearing?"
"Huh?" Ivy Sherwood lowered her head and sniffed her arm. ’I don’t smell anything.’
"I’m not wearing any perfume." Although she was a perfumer, she didn’t like spraying fragrances on herself, as it sometimes interfered with her sense of smell.
"You think I have a scent on me? It might be because I rushed over from the office. The Sherwood Company makes fragrances and perfumes, so I might have picked up a scent there."
"Mm." Quentin Blackwood said no more.
"What kind of scent do you like? I’ll give you a bottle next time." ’One I blended myself!’
"No need."
Quentin Blackwood set down his empty glass and headed for the door.
The party was dull. He’d already been here for a considerable amount of time tonight, which was more than enough to show the Scotts respect.
As Quentin Blackwood left, he let the Scotts know he was leaving.
He had told the Scott Family before he arrived to treat him like any other guest and not to bother with him.
Ivy Sherwood followed behind him. "Leaving so soon? How about giving me a ride?"
However, the cold man didn’t even give her a spare glance and simply strode away.
She had only said it casually, so it was perfectly normal for Quentin Blackwood to refuse. In fact, Ivy would have found it strange if he had agreed.
Ivy Sherwood didn’t have much else to do, so she spoke with Nina Scott for a moment and said her goodbyes as well.
Nina Scott knew Ivy felt out of place and didn’t insist she stay.
Ivy had come with Nina, so now that she was leaving, she had no car.
This was a private villa district; taxis from outside couldn’t get in.
She would have to walk to the main gate, which would take about half an hour.
Since she had nothing better to do, she figured she might as well walk.
But she had barely taken a few steps when a luxury car drove past her.
Granted, every car here tonight was a luxury car, but Ivy recognized this one. She’d been in it before.
"Quentin!"
"Wait!"
She had just shouted it out casually, figuring Quentin probably hadn’t even heard her.
To her surprise, however, the car actually stopped up ahead.
That being the case, Ivy Sherwood hurried forward, tried the handle, and found that the door actually opened.
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. ’Quentin Blackwood isn’t nearly as proper as he seems on the surface.’
The luxury executive car was very spacious. Quentin Blackwood sat in the back like a statue.
"I really thought you weren’t going to give me a ride."
"Didn’t you just get here? And you’re already leaving?"
Ivy Sherwood, who had been there for quite some time: "..."
"There’s no rule that says you can’t leave right after you arrive. Besides, getting a ride in your car made the whole trip worthwhile."
Ivy even heard the man beside her give a disdainful scoff, but she didn’t mind.
Halfway through the drive, Ivy finally asked, "Aren’t you going to ask where I live?"
Quentin Blackwood stared at his tablet as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
Ivy, for her part, sat back contentedly. ’It’s not like he’s going to sell me off. I’m not worth much anyway, and Quentin Blackwood wouldn’t be interested in that kind of money.’
The car didn’t stop until it reached a hotel parking garage, where the driver opened the door for Ivy.
"Bringing me to a hotel without a word... isn’t that a bit improper? You didn’t even ask if I was willing."
However, Quentin Blackwood simply tossed the car keys to Ivy. "If you’re not willing, drive yourself back."
Ivy immediately handed the keys back to the driver and followed behind Quentin. "I’ve been drinking. Of course I can’t drive."
They stood in the elevator together, followed Quentin to the door of a familiar hotel room, and he led her inside.
The presidential suite showed no signs of being lived in. It seemed Quentin probably hadn’t planned on staying here long-term.
"So... should I go take a shower first?"
’After all, he’s a normal man who brought me to a hotel. I highly doubt an animal who thinks with his lower half wants to discuss poetry and the meaning of life with me.’
’We’re all adults here. All physical, no feelings involved.’
"No need."
"Hm?" ’He can’t even wait for me to shower?’
The way Ivy looked at Quentin changed.
’I never would have guessed. So this is the kind of man he is!’
Seeing the look in Ivy’s eyes, he knew exactly what kind of ridiculous things she was thinking.
"Ivy Sherwood, can’t you think about anything else?"
"Weren’t your hints a little too obvious? A single man brings a single woman to a hotel. I can’t imagine what else it could be for."
Quentin Blackwood: "..."
He truly hadn’t brought Ivy here for *that*.
"I have some business to attend to." Quentin had been busy even in the car.
After saying that, Quentin sat down in front of the computer.
"I assume I can use anything in the hotel room?" Ivy asked.
"You can."
Ivy didn’t disturb Quentin. When she left the study, she even closed the door behind her.
Quentin immediately made an overseas call, fluent Italian spilling from his lips.
About an hour later, Ivy knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Quentin, are you done with your work?"
"Mm."
"Are you hungry? I made some food. Want to try it?" She had seen Quentin rubbing his stomach in the car earlier, and he had looked a little unwell.
Quentin didn’t seem to have eaten much tonight, so a little while ago, she had ordered some groceries online and used the kitchen to make some porridge.
Quentin’s brow twitched. Over the years, his irregular schedule meant he almost never ate on time. He had stomach problems, though nothing too severe.
Drinking on an empty stomach tonight had indeed left him feeling a bit uncomfortable.
He followed Ivy out of the room and saw a simple millet porridge, a pork rib soup, and two small side dishes. It all looked very easy on the stomach.
Quentin’s gaze deepened. ’Has Ivy Sherwood been investigating me? Is she deliberately trying to curry favor?’
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