Chapter 414: Discovering a Slight Bulge in Ivy Sherwood’s Belly

That was her number!

Ivy Sherwood checked the digits one by one, confirming that every single one was correct. It was definitely her number.

She froze, stunned by the contact name Quentin Blackwood had saved.

Something churned in her heart. ’Why? Why would Quentin Blackwood save my number with a name like that?’

’Wasn’t he with me just for revenge? Doesn’t he have any feelings for me at all?’

Ivy Sherwood’s eyes grew moist again. She looked at the pale-faced man lying on the bed, desperately wanting to ask Quentin Blackwood what this all meant...

After staring blankly for a long while, Ivy Sherwood finally dialed Zane Linton’s number.

"President Blackwood." Zane Linton was on call twenty-four hours a day. Working for Quentin Blackwood involved a tremendous amount of work, but Quentin had always treated him well.

"This is Ivy Sherwood," she said, introducing herself first. "Quentin Blackwood has fainted. He..."

Ivy Sherwood’s voice choked with emotion. She bit her lip hard to keep her feelings from spilling out.

"The doctor said he’s been exhausted lately. Has he not been resting properly?"

Zane Linton was silent for a moment on the other end. "President Blackwood has indeed been very busy. Ever since Elder Sheridan died, he hasn’t had a single day of proper rest. On top of his work at DG, there’s also the Sheridan Group."

The Sheridan Group has been especially volatile. The major shareholders are all circling like sharks. If it weren’t for President Blackwood, the company would have been carved up and devoured long ago, leaving nothing for Joy Sheridan.

After all, it was Old Master Sheridan’s enterprise, so Quentin Blackwood did his best to preserve it for her.

I suppose Miss Sheridan couldn’t handle the pressure in the end. She actually gave all her shares to some obscure minor shareholder.

"Who did you say died?" Ivy Sherwood asked, stunned.

’Old Master Sheridan... Joy Sheridan’s grandfather?’

’How did I not know about this? When did it happen?’

"It’s a rather private matter and hasn’t been made public yet."

’So, Joy Sheridan’s grandfather must have died recently. The last two times I saw Joy, she was acting as if nothing had happened, still out and about.’

’I remember her grandfather doted on her. Everyone online said Old Master Sheridan cherished his granddaughter more than life itself. How could he be dead, yet Joy doesn’t look the least bit sad?’

"Then Quentin Blackwood... he..." Ivy wanted to ask something, but she didn’t know what.

’My situation with Quentin probably has nothing to do with the Sheridan Family. It would be pointless to ask.’

"He needs someone to look after him here. Can you arrange for a few people to come over? We’re at the resort villa. I’ll send you the address."

Zane Linton said, "It’s already very late, so that might be difficult. Everyone else has already gone home to rest. Miss Sherwood, would you mind watching over him instead?"

"President Blackwood has been so busy and tired lately, with basically no time to rest. I was afraid he’d end up in the hospital if this kept up, and now my worst fear has come true. I’m in Aethelgard right now, so I can’t get there. Miss Sherwood, I’m afraid I can only ask you."

"But I..." Ivy Sherwood wanted to refuse, but somehow it felt like she couldn’t.

Zane Linton continued, "President Blackwood is in such a pitiful state. He’s collapsed from illness, and there’s no one by his side. Miss Sherwood, if you’re truly unwilling, then just leave him there. I’m sure once he wakes up, he’ll leave on his own."

"President Blackwood lost his mother when he was young and was kicked out by the Blackwood Family. He’s been on his own ever since, so he’s long been used to being alone. When he was a child and fainted, he’d just crawl back home by himself after waking up. When he got sick, there was never anyone there to take care of him."

Zane Linton let out a heavy sigh. "Sigh... In any case, President Blackwood is already used to all of this."

Zane Linton’s words landed in Ivy Sherwood’s heart with the weight of a thousand pounds. Every time she heard Zane talk like this, she couldn’t help but see Quentin Blackwood as a poor, pitiable soul.

Quentin Blackwood certainly hadn’t had it easy. Perhaps his entire life, from childhood to adulthood, had been difficult.

’But... on second thought, how could it be that no one is willing to be by Quentin Blackwood’s side?’

’All he has to do is make one phone call, and Joy Sheridan or some other woman would come running immediately.’

Still, a wave of sadness washed over Ivy Sherwood. She thought of her baby. ’When my child is born, I must protect them well. I’ll never let them suffer out in the world like their father has.’

’Let Quentin Blackwood bear all the suffering in this world. Just don’t let my child suffer in the future.’

She didn’t know if it was a little boy or a little girl, but no matter what, Ivy Sherwood would love them dearly.

In the end, Ivy Sherwood didn’t leave. She stayed to watch over Quentin Blackwood.

As the night deepened, Ivy Sherwood wanted to get another layer of clothing but found that her hand was being held tightly.

Ivy Sherwood had no choice but to remain seated, letting out a yawn.

Overcome with drowsiness, Ivy Sherwood finally couldn’t hold on any longer. She slumped over by the bedside, using Quentin Blackwood’s hand as a pillow, and fell into a deep sleep.

When Quentin Blackwood awoke, he found his hand was pinned down and completely numb.

The room wasn’t too bright; only a single bedside lamp was on. And when he opened his eyes, he saw the woman by his bed.

She was holding his hand, her head resting on it as she slept. Quentin Blackwood instantly held his breath, afraid that the sound might disturb her.

He thought he was seeing things. Immense joy and excitement surged through his heart.

He had thought Ivy Sherwood was gone, but he opened his eyes to find her right in front of him.

Quentin Blackwood shifted slightly. ’Is this a hallucination, or am I dreaming? It must be a dream. How else could I be seeing Ivy Sherwood?’

’If this weren’t a dream, with her resting on my hand like this, why can’t I feel it at all?’

It was winter, and although the room was well-heated, Quentin Blackwood worried that the Ivy Sherwood in his dream might be cold. He carefully lifted her onto the bed.

She was sleeping soundly. She didn’t seem fake. She was warm, and she was breathing.

Her lips were still red and swollen, and his marks and traces still lingered on her body.

The bed wasn’t small. As they lay there together, Quentin Blackwood watched the woman so close to him, unwilling to even blink.

He remembered bits and pieces of last night. Over the past two days, he had been consumed by jealousy. One man after another had appeared by Ivy Sherwood’s side, all of them interested in her, all of them coveting his woman!

He was the one who had pushed her away, yet he was terrified she would actually get together with one of those men.

It was only during this time that he realized just how deep his love for Ivy Sherwood was. He thought he could let go, that he could forget.

But he had tried many times and failed. In fact, his possessiveness had only grown stronger.

He desperately wanted to make Ivy Sherwood his private possession, to hide her away where only he could admire her.

Quentin Blackwood had never forced anything in his life, but Ivy Sherwood was the only one who made him feel this way.

He restrained his hands, not daring to hold her too tightly for fear of waking her up.

His hand rested on Ivy Sherwood’s waist, stroking it gently. Then he noticed something. ’Has Ivy gained a little weight?’

It wasn’t a thought of disdain at all. He just felt she was a little fleshier than before. ’And her lower abdomen... does it seem a little raised?’