Chapter 3

Dad was furious. “How could you say that? Kevin is your cousin! Wait, hold on. Do you have a girlfriend? When did that happen? Why haven’t you mentioned it?”

“I didn’t mention it because I was afraid you’d tell me again to let Kevin date her instead.”

Dad was quiet on the other end of the line for a moment.

Right then, Ivy grabbed the phone from my hand. Her voice was sweet as she said, “Hello, Mr. Lonsdale. I’m Paul’s girlfriend, Ivy Rossum. When are you free? I’d love to take you out to dinner and meet you properly.”

Dad’s tone took an immediate turn.

“Oh, Ivy, is it? I’m free, yes, but you live in Corston. That’s too far away for me.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Lonsdale, I have a car.”

“That’s great! By the way, Ivy, what do you do? Are you from Corston?”

Ivy was about to answer when I snatched the phone back.

“I’m still at work, Dad. I’m hanging up now.”

After ending the call, I looked at Ivy and said, “We can get married without my dad’s approval, you know.”

Ivy pinched my face and gazed at me softly.

“I don’t want you to have any regrets on our wedding day.”

This brought a lump to my throat. “You don’t know how biased Dad is. I’m afraid we’ll both be put in a bad spot because of it.”

“Don’t worry.” She pinched my face again. “I won’t allow myself to be bullied.”

Three days later, after Ivy arranged for things to be handled at work, we set off for my hometown.

But first, we had to pick up Kevin.

When the car stopped at my apartment building, Kevin ran through the front door and pushed past me to stand before Ivy.

His tone was coy as he said, “Hi, Ivy. I get car sick a lot. Can I sit in the front passenger seat?”

I said coldly, “You could take the train.”

Tears immediately sprang to Kevin’s eyes. He looked at Ivy, aggrieved.

Ivy smiled graciously. “Sure.”

She pulled open the front passenger door for him.

Kevin’s eyes were bright as stars. He shot me a pleased look and excitedly took his seat.

Just as he got comfortable, Ivy said to the driver, “Mr. Delling, drive slowly. Mr. Lonsdale gets car sick.”

Kevin’s smile froze on his face.

Ivy led me to another car, this one a Maybach.

She opened the front passenger door and guided me carefully in so I did not hit my head. Then, she leaned down to help me fasten the seatbelt.

Looking at the graceful curvature of her face, I felt my heart warm.

No one had ever treated me with such care in all my years.

The car started off. Through the car window, I saw Kevin in the other car, his expression thunderous.

I knew that it was only the beginning, and that a hard battle was ahead.

…

When the car rolled to a stop in front of our family’s yard, a bunch of nosy relatives were already there waiting. They craned their necks for a better look.

When Ivy got out of the car, they were all stunned for a moment. Then, they put their heads together and started gossiping.

“Paul’s girlfriend is so beautiful, like a movie star!”

“Look at her car. That must cost millions!”

Ivy had the driver bring out the gifts she had brought, moving them from the trunk.

There was expensive liquor, gift baskets, and various skincare and cosmetics for every relative. The gifts piled up like a miniature mountain.

She had even prepared gift cards for everyone.

When she held them out, she said politely, “I’m not sure what you would like, so I just bought some gift cards.”

Checking the generous sum of the gift cards, my relatives all beamed and complimented me on finding such a great partner.

Dad was smiling brightly as well. He must have felt extremely proud.

Only Kevin stood by Dad’s side with a forced smile as he clenched his fists so hard his knuckles went white.

During dinner, Kevin purposely picked out a seat right next to Ivy. He added more food to her plate and said, “I made this myself, Ivy. Have a taste.”

Ivy smiled and put the plate away.

“Sorry, but I only eat food Paul prepares for me.”

Kevin’s hand froze in midair, his lower lip trembling.