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Novel Catalog
Chapter 17
Bonnie glanced up when she heard the question, her mind already preparing an answer she knew Ivor would demand. He’d been increasingly curious, and this moment was no different.
“I know someone who works at the research institute,” she replied, keeping her tone even.
Ivor raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Who? He must be someone important if he found out the news so early.”
Bonnie hesitated for a moment before responding. “You could say that. But I can’t tell you who he is right now.”
Ivor’s eyes narrowed, sensing there was more to the story. “That day, you told me you could help me secure the rights to the nanomaterial. It sounded like you were the person in charge.”
Bonnie said nothing, her gaze fixed out the window, offering him no additional insight.
Ivor chuckled, the sound tinged with disbelief. “Ged says you’re full of it. I heard that’s why your parents don’t like you.”
Bonnie’s face remained impassive, her lips pressing together in a tight line.
“The collaboration didn’t happen just because you said it would,” Ivor continued, his voice a bit more intense now. “You knew Ms. Bonita would work with my company, which was why you told me that the other day.”
Bonnie shot him a sidelong glance. “Well, you can think whatever you want,” she said, her voice nonchalant, almost dismissive.
Ivor’s brow furrowed in frustration, clearly upset by her attitude. “Was that really what happened?” he pressed, unwilling to let it go.
Bonnie’s patience began to wear thin. She let out a small sigh, frowning. “What does it matter? You said you didn’t want to have anything to do with me when we first met. Why are you so interested in me now?”
“I’m not,” Ivor replied quickly, though his tone lacked conviction.
“Good,” Bonnie replied with a smirk, clearly enjoying the chance to get the upper hand. “Like I said, you’re not my type. You’d better not fall for me.”
The car fell into an uncomfortable silence as they both turned their attention elsewhere, avoiding each other’s gaze.
Bonnie’s phone suddenly dinged, breaking the stillness. She glanced at the screen, seeing a message from Heath that read, “Are you done with work? The Knight wants to have a game with you.”
Bonnie typed back, “I’ll do it the day after tomorrow.” She had her engagement to deal with tomorrow, after all.
“Okay, I’ll tell him that,” Heath replied.
As Bonnie set her phone down, she noticed Ivor’s phone also pinged with a new message. He glanced at it, his lips curving into a smile as he read.
Bonnie caught the reflection of his smile in the rearview mirror. It was surprising, even disarming. A man like him, so cold and serious, could smile like that. It was almost… charming.
His phone buzzed again, and Bonnie watched him read it. “The Shepherd says the day after tomorrow.”
Ivor’s smile widened, and he looked up at her through the rearview mirror. Bonnie couldn’t help but be momentarily taken aback by how pleased he looked.
After a beat, Ivor said, “Looks like we’ll both be busy the day after tomorrow.”
Bonnie nodded, her face betraying nothing. “Yes. But I’m sure we’ll both manage.”
As the car pulled into the driveway, Bonnie spotted Neville standing by the door, his eyes wide with panic. As soon as he saw her, he rushed over.
“You need to leave now! My mom’s back. She’s going to give you a hard time!” he said urgently, trying to push Bonnie away from the door.
Bonnie stared at him, confused. “Huh? I don’t even know her! Why would she do that?”
Neville glanced over his shoulder nervously, then lowered his voice. “Because she doesn’t approve of your marriage to my brother. My mom’s a fierce woman, and she doesn’t listen to anything my grandpa says. She came back from overseas just to get rid of you!”
Bonnie froze, suddenly reminded of what Heath had told her about Ivor’s family. As the wife of Sigmund’s second eldest son, Ivor’s mother was notorious for being tough. Five years ago, she had left Ivor’s father, Willard Knight, in a dramatic fashion, after giving him a sound beating, before fleeing abroad.
Just as Bonnie was processing this, a woman emerged from the house, her presence commanding the attention of the entire room. She was dressed in a nun’s habit, and her sharp gaze fell upon Bonnie with immediate judgment.
“Are you Bonnie Shepard?” the woman asked, her voice laced with disdain. “You’re quite pretty, I’ll give you that. But you and Ivor hardly know each other. I’ll never approve of your marriage.”
Bonnie’s stomach dropped as she met the woman’s cold, calculating stare. Ivor’s mother had arrived, and it was clear she wasn’t interested in playing nice.