Chapter 2002
Nolan furrowed his brow, detecting a hint of tension in Ivy’s voice as she spoke of her mother, Tessa, “She said she couldn’t find you, knew we were acquainted, and thus showed up here. Do you want to come over now?”
The fact that Tessa had tracked down The Harris Group at this moment didn’t sit well with Ivy. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Tessa was up to something.
But if she didn’t go now and escort Tessa away, Ivy knew Tessa wouldn’t leave without a fuss, and that would only cause unnecessary trouble for Nolan.
With a reluctant sigh. Ivy made up her mind, “Hang on, Nolan, I’ll be right there.”
She hung up and hurried out the door, heading straight for The Harris Group.
Upon arriving at the CEO’s office and seeing Tessa comfortably sipping water, Ivy’s face darkened as she grabbed Tessa by the arm, “Get up, and we’re feaving.”
“Ivy!” Tessa shook off her grip, clearly not ready to go, “What’s the rush? I hardly ever come here, and why leave so soon?”
Was she going to stay here?
Ivy couldn’t fathom what Tessa was doing here in the first place.
“This isn’t your house, and it’s Mr. Harris‘ business. Let’s go, she insisted.
“Ivy,” Tessa cooed, feigning affection as she clutched Ivy’s hand, “If I hadn’t made this trip, I wouldn’t have known you’ve met such a fine young man as Mr. Harris. You should cherish this opportunity.”
Ivy was at a loss for words, but a quick glance at Nolan made things crystal clear.
Tessa had completely misunderstood her relationship with Nolan.
Ivy looked at Tessa with a mix of disappointment and sarcasm. All Tessa saw in Nolan was the CEO of The Harris Group and wanted to climb the social ladder.
Had Nolan been a penniless nobody, Tessa would likely have scorned him and chastised Ivy for her poor taste.
“And then what?” Ivy asked with a mocking smile, “After I cherish this connection, what’s your next move?”
Tessa glanced at Nolan, then pulled Ivy aside and whispered, “A CEO like him must have powerful connections. If you two hit it off, it could open doors for your sister too. That’d be great for all of us.”
There it was the ugly truth. At the end of the day, all Tessa cared about were her interests and Clara, never truly considering Ivy’s feelings.
Exhaling deeply, Ivy had no desire to argue. She turned to Nolan and apologized, “Sorry for the trouble, Nolan. I’ll take my mom home now and explain everything later.”
Without waiting for a response, Ivy led Tessa out of The Harris Group.
Once outside, Tessa wrenched her hand away, looking at Ivy with exasperation, “What are you thinking, Ivy? He’s the CEO of the Harris Group. If you don’t secure that, what if someone else snatches him away?”
“Do you honestly think I have that kind of relationship with him?” Ivy scoffed, “He’s just my friend, nothing more.”
“But I can see it, Ivy, he’s clearly interested in you. Don’t be picky, and a good man like that is hard to find,” Tessa pressed.
“Let me be clear,” Ivy stated firmly, “There’s nothing between Nolan and me as you imagine, and there never will be. And as for using him to get resources for Clara, forget it. That’s not happening.”
Ivy didn’t know how Tessa had gotten such a mistaken impression of her relationship with Nolan, but she didn’t have the energy to correct it. Not that it would make a difference. She told Tessa straight that she and Nolan would never be a thing, hoping that Tessa would stop meddling in her life and leave Nolan out of it.
