Chapter 540: Not Afraid I’ll Rip You Off?

The meal was relatively peaceful. Afterward, Elijah Hawthorne and Quentin Blackwood went aside to discuss business.

What they hadn’t been able to discuss at the dinner table, they could still discuss here at the Mercer estate.

"What do you want that piece of land for?" Elijah Hawthorne asked.

Quentin Blackwood said, "Never mind what I’m doing with it. Just name your price."

"I can’t do that. What if there’s gold buried underneath, or it’s some kind of auspicious plot of land? I’d be taking a loss. If you don’t tell me exactly what you plan to do with it, there’s no way I’m selling it to you."

Quentin Blackwood’s people had already approached the project department on Elijah Hawthorne’s side to negotiate the land purchase.

While Elijah Hawthorne normally didn’t involve himself in such minor affairs, hearing that DG was the buyer piqued his curiosity.

"Rest assured, there’s no gold on this land, nor is it some kind of auspicious plot. It used to be a park, as I’m sure you know. I’m buying it simply to turn it back into a park."

"You’re paying a premium to buy it and build a park? Have you lost your mind, or have I?" Elijah Hawthorne was completely baffled by Quentin Blackwood’s logic.

It was a prime piece of real estate in the heart of Lustre. If it were redeveloped, he’d have no trouble selling the properties.

Besides, Elijah Hawthorne had already spent a fortune acquiring this land, so he certainly wasn’t planning on selling the future properties for cheap.

But now Quentin Blackwood was planning to buy it... for charity?

"Just name your price. Or, if there’s a project you’re interested in, I can give you a discount on it."

Elijah Hawthorne narrowed his eyes at Quentin Blackwood. ’When did Quentin become so agreeable?’ He’d just handed over two major projects yesterday, and now, to get this piece of land, he was being this generous.

It seemed Quentin Blackwood had really changed in some ways.

Elijah Hawthorne said, "Aren’t you afraid I’ll rip you off?"

Quentin Blackwood was unconcerned. "I’m not short on cash."

"I can give you the land. Double the price," Elijah Hawthorne relented.

"No problem." Quentin Blackwood agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

Never mind double the price; Quentin Blackwood could afford to pay ten times that.

Elijah Hawthorne added, "I’m not finished. You’ll also owe me a favor. No matter what I ask of you in the future, you can’t refuse."

"Anything related to Ivy Sherwood is off the table."

Elijah Hawthorne: "..."

"How did you know what I was going to ask?"

Quentin Blackwood said coolly, "We’ve known each other for years. You think I don’t know what you’re plotting?"

If Elijah Hawthorne were to ask him to leave Ivy Sherwood or give her up to him, he would never agree.

"Fine. Nothing to do with Ivy Sherwood, then. It’s not every day I get to have Quentin Blackwood owe me a favor." Elijah Hawthorne agreed.

He used to be the one indebted to Quentin Blackwood. Now, it was finally his turn to have some leverage.

"Mm. Thanks."

Elijah Hawthorne looked as if he’d discovered a new continent. "What did you just say?"

’A guy like Quentin Blackwood actually said thank you.’

"I said stop thinking about Ivy Sherwood. She has nothing to do with you."

"That’s not for you to decide. It’s a fair competition." ’Who knows, maybe my chance will come soon!’

Elijah Hawthorne’s gaze drifted over to Ivy Sherwood. Just sitting there, she possessed a captivating charm that made it impossible to look away.

She seemed to be busy with work. ’She and Quentin Blackwood are so alike,’ he thought. ’Total workaholics.’

With Quentin Blackwood and a powerful family like the Mercers backing her, Ivy Sherwood had no need to work at all. But she did, and she handled everything related to her career without relying on anyone.

Now, Iris was internationally renowned, arguably the number one brand in the fragrance world.

He’d heard that Ivy Sherwood had also invested in quite a few companies, showing she had a sharp business mind.

Elijah Hawthorne hadn’t been watching for more than two seconds when a hand smacked him on the back of the head. "What are you looking at? Is she someone you should be looking at?"

Elijah Hawthorne: "..."

"You dare lay a hand on me? I take back my offer for the land!"

...

It was getting late, so Nina Scott was ready to head home.

The old master tried to persuade her to stay. "Nina, dear, you’re married to Miles now. Why would you go back? This is your home."

"I know, is it because this old man is in the way? Don’t you worry, I’ve already bought a new place. In a couple of days, Xavier and I will move out so we won’t disturb you two lovebirds."

"No, Grandpa, that’s not what I meant at all." Nina Scott waved her hands frantically. It wasn’t that she had a problem with the old master.

’It’s just that her marriage to Miles is just an act. How could they possibly live together for real?’

"I know you’re a good kid, but I don’t want to be a third wheel. If you feel uncomfortable, we’ll be the ones to move out." The old master had no ulterior motives; he just wanted Nina and Miles to get along well.

Nina Scott said, "Grandpa, I’m not uncomfortable at all. This is your home to begin with. I’m the outsider here."

"We’re all family. There are no outsiders here." The old master was in a wonderful mood, and when his spirits were high, his health seemed to improve as well.

Miles Mercer walked over and placed a hand on Nina Scott’s shoulder. "Grandpa, she’s staying here tonight."

"Oh, that’s wonderful, wonderful."

Nina Scott gritted her teeth. ’If I stay here, doesn’t that mean I have to share a room with Miles?’

She stomped hard on Miles Mercer’s foot and dragged him into a corner. "Why did you have to open your big mouth?"

Miles Mercer said, "This is what Grandpa wants. Do you really think he’d let you leave if you insisted?"

"But I don’t want to share a room with you!" Nina Scott said bluntly.

Miles Mercer: "..."

’This woman actually dares to be picky about him? Isn’t he the one getting the short end of the stick here? Does she really think he wants to share a room with her?’

Nina Scott thought for a moment. It wasn’t the first time, after all. She waved a dismissive hand. "Fine, whatever. You’re safer than one of my girlfriends, anyway."

Nina Scott wasn’t worried. Sleeping in the same room as this man was probably safer than sleeping next to a dog.

Ivy Sherwood and Quentin Blackwood went home, and Elijah Hawthorne left as well.

Xavier Mercer also had matters to attend to. The old master had finally adjusted to the time difference, but he wasn’t in a rush to sleep. He remained in the living room, likely afraid that if he went to bed, Nina might try to leave.

Resigned, Nina Scott had no choice but to head to the room with Miles Mercer.

"Do you want to shower first, or should I?" Nina Scott asked.

With a perfectly straight face, Miles Mercer said, "You go."

The old master had already arranged for Nina Scott’s things to be prepared—all brand new. Just as Nina was about to take her shower, she saw a new message on her phone.

She waved a hand at him. "You go first. I need to reply to a message."

Miles Mercer went into the bathroom and came out a short while later.

To his surprise, even after he had finished his shower, Nina Scott was still in the exact same spot, glued to her phone and seemingly engrossed in a conversation.

’Who could she be talking to with such enthusiasm?’ Miles wondered.

"I’m done," Miles Mercer announced.

Nina Scott merely grunted in acknowledgment. "Got it."

Then she lowered her head and went right back to texting.

A strange feeling welled up inside Miles Mercer. ’Who is she talking to that’s so captivating she can’t even see anyone else?’