Chapter 416: Charlie Rhodes Takes an Interest in Ivy Sherwood

That morning, Quentin Blackwood finished all his necessary paperwork as quickly as possible.

He was aware of his and Ivy Sherwood’s schedules. He knew she was going to discuss a partnership that evening. Quentin had also looked into the other party; their boss seemed decent enough.

In the afternoon, Quentin Blackwood reviewed the entire incident from start to finish, including the official statements and everything else.

The driver involved in the incident had been questioned repeatedly. Quentin’s own chauffeur had called off at the last minute, claiming something urgent had come up. However, the investigation indicated he hadn’t been bribed.

As for the footage from the scene, Quentin Blackwood watched it over and over again.

So far, he hadn’t found any holes in the story. The only thing that stood out was the in-car footage from the dashcam. When the gunshots rang out, Old Master Sheridan’s expression was one of pure terror; he was clearly frightened.

Then, right as Quentin got out of the car, Old Master Sheridan’s expression seemed to turn strangely subtle.

The inside of the car was too dark, and it was only for a split second. Quentin couldn’t be sure if he had seen it wrong or was just overthinking things.

As for what happened next—the shootout outside and Old Master Sheridan taking a bullet for him—that wasn’t captured by the in-car camera. The available footage was very limited. All it showed was the old man’s blurry profile, and an expression that seemed to say he knew he was about to die.

Quentin clipped out those few seconds of Elder Sheridan’s expression and looped the video hundreds of times.

His mind raced through various scenarios and possibilities. Looking at Old Master Sheridan’s expression from a different angle... ’What if he never intended to make it out alive?’

Quentin called Zane Linton again. "Have Joy Sheridan’s shares been transferred yet?"

"Yes, President Blackwood."

"Who were they transferred to? What’s the current situation at the Sheridan Group? And get me all the information on the recipient."

Zane Linton quickly sent the files over. Quentin looked at the profile. The man was indeed a minor shareholder in the company, not particularly prominent, and he didn’t seem to have deep ties with the Sheridan Family.

The basic file didn’t reveal much. Quentin ordered Zane Linton to dig deeper—to investigate the man’s associates, relatives, everything and everyone connected to him.

’The man had no significant assets or businesses to his name. So, was it really just a coincidence that Joy Sheridan transferred her shares in the Sheridan Group to him?’

It was true that others in the Sheridan Group were circling like vultures, putting Joy under immense pressure. But this inheritance was what Old Master Sheridan had left her. For her to give it away to someone else so easily... it was all too quick.

Besides, with his backing, Joy’s shares would have been secure, even with him being in Lustre at the time.

As he connected these scattered clues, Quentin grew more and more certain that he was overlooking something crucial.

He didn’t know how much time had passed. Quentin rubbed the bridge of his nose. His eyes ached, probably from staring at the screen for too long.

He glanced at the time—it was already evening.

Zane Linton had just sent over the more detailed file on the shareholder, but Quentin didn’t have time to review it. He had to go out.

Quentin Blackwood got in his car and left the resort.

...

Meanwhile, Ivy Sherwood had gone to meet her business partner.

The dinner meeting was held in the largest private dining room in Lustre.

Ivy went without any makeup. Just in case, she brought two bodyguards, who entered the elevator with her at the entrance.

Ivy didn’t notice a man a short distance away, staring, completely captivated.

Charlie Rhodes stared blankly at the woman entering the elevator, his eyes filled with stunned admiration. ’It’s like I’ve just seen a goddess.’

He had never seen anyone so beautiful. A single, fleeting glimpse was enough to burn her image into his mind—especially her eyes. He felt as though he’d seen them somewhere before.

Even though he was in his sixties, the heart that had lain dormant for so many years seemed to flutter back to life.

"Go find out who that woman is!"

’To think there’s a woman this beautiful in Lustre,’ he thought. ’I don’t care who she is, I have to have her!’

A thrill shot through Charlie Rhodes. He then realized that his body, long since worn out from his years of debauchery, was showing signs of arousal. He’d been with countless women, yet none had been able to stir him like this. It was a miracle!

"Go investigate! Right now!"

Charlie Rhodes’s gaze remained fixed in the direction Ivy had gone. ’As long as she’s in this restaurant, they’ll find her. I can’t wait!’

Charlie Rhodes then called Ruby Sterling. "Ruby, my dear girl, you don’t need to come tonight."

Ruby grew anxious. "Godfather, what’s wrong? Didn’t we agree that I would join you for dinner tonight?"

The Sherwood Family was now in complete ruin. After Thea Sherwood’s scandal broke, the company’s stock had plummeted, and that wretched Ivy Sherwood had seized the opportunity to buy up all the shares.

Timothy Sherwood had fallen gravely ill after that. And just a few days ago, something had happened—he’d suddenly had a psychotic break and had been hospitalized ever since. Ruby couldn’t be bothered to visit him.

’My poor daughter,’ she thought, ’ruined by a man like Timothy Sherwood.’

Thea Sherwood didn’t even dare to leave her room now. She just locked herself away all day. Whenever she saw anyone, she’d have a breakdown, convinced they were mocking her. She had become a complete wreck, and even Ruby looked at her with disgust.

Two people in one family, both driven mad.

Of course, Ruby also blamed Charlie Rhodes. But the Rhodes Family was still thriving in Veridia, and she had nothing. Her only choice was to try and squeeze a little more out of him.

It was clearly Charlie who had wronged her Thea, but Ruby was powerless. She still had to suck up to him.

She had gone to great lengths to coax Charlie Rhodes to Lustre, and she was ready to try her luck again. If she could get five hundred million out of him, she’d cash out, leave Lustre, and go live her life.

They had made clear arrangements, but now he was backing out at the last second. Ruby had no idea what had happened.

"It’s fine. I don’t need you anymore."

Ruby thought he was angry, but his voice sounded... excited.

Ruby was no fool; she knew Charlie Rhodes all too well. She realized he must have found a new target.

She just wondered which poor soul was so unlucky.

Ivy went upstairs and arrived at the designated private room. Her potential partners were already there.

They had all heard of one another but had never met in person. The partner had no idea that Ivy Sherwood was so stunningly beautiful.

"Boss Sherwood, I had no idea you were so beautiful. It’s a shame you’re not a movie star."

"Mr. Young, you flatter me. I’m just an ordinary person with no acting talent. How could I ever make it in the entertainment industry?" Ivy replied, quickly falling into conversation with them.

This Mr. Young had a decent reputation, which was why Ivy had chosen to work with him.

Their conversation was pleasant, and they quickly reached a partnership agreement.

"Aren’t you drinking, Miss Sherwood? Or is the wine not to your liking?"

A glass of juice sat in front of Ivy. "I’m not feeling very well," she said. "I just took some antibiotics, so I can’t drink."

’The truth is, I can’t drink because of the baby.’

The man didn’t think much of it. "The weather has been getting cold lately. You should take good care of yourself, Miss Sherwood."

Ivy nodded. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Young."

They continued to chat for a little while longer. Then, one of the men Mr. Young had brought with him leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Mr. Young’s expression changed. He stood up and said, "Excuse me, Boss Sherwood. I need to step out and take a call."