Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 360

Before she could, Alaric spoke first.

"I'm attending a gala tonight and will be back late. If I'm not home by the time it gets too late, call me."

Ivy had no idea what time she would be able to leave tonight.

But she definitely intended on going home.

She agreed easily.

Only then did Alaric end the call. He stepped out of the car, adjusted his immaculately tailored suit, and strode toward Tristan, who was personally greeting guests at the grand entrance.

Ivy quietly tucked her phone away and turned back to Xavier with a sheepish smile.

"I'm so sorry, Xavier. Thank you for waiting."

"It's no problem at all."

Xavier returned her smile, and the two resumed their leisurely walk, falling easily back into conversation.

At some point, a dry leaf drifted down and landed softly in Ivy's hair. Xavier naturally stopped in his tracks and reached out to pluck it away.

Confused, Ivy halted beside him.

Standing so close together, they formed a picture-perfect display of an ideal height difference.

With the man's hand hovering gently over the girl's head, the entire scene looked undeniably intimate and romantic.

As fate would have it, Alaric, who had just been escorted through the main gates, witnessed this exact moment.

At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. There was no reason for Ivy to be at the Rhodes estate.

He brushed it off and took another step forward, but the lingering feeling that the silhouette in the distance belonged to his wife made him stop dead in his tracks and stare.

A short distance away, Xavier caught sight of Alaric as well.

He reached out, naturally taking Ivy's hand, and smiled.

"Come with me. I'll introduce you to some people."

Ivy was completely caught off guard. Before she could even process a refusal, she was gently pulled forward.

She had only taken a few steps when she saw the man standing rigidly ahead of them, radiating a terrifying, freezing aura. A suffocating wave of dread washed over her, and her whole world collapsed.

What was going on?!

Why was Alaric here?!

What business did he have with the Rhodes family? Was he a relative? A friend?

Or...

But Alaric was the one who had strictly forbidden their marriage from going public.

"I will naturally take *very* good care of your friend."

Alaric practically carved the words out as he glared at Ivy. He took in her stunning makeup and the daring, off-the-shoulder cut of her dress.

She had never even dressed this beautifully for him at home.

Unable to stomach the sight any longer, Alaric turned sharply on his heel and stormed off in a cold fury.

Ivy knew he was absolutely furious and desperately wanted to chase after him to explain.

But Xavier's voice stopped her dead in her tracks.

"That's the CEO of Foster Group, Capital City's wealthiest tycoon. He's just incredibly arrogant and looks down on everyone. Just ignore him."

Ivy stood frozen, watching her husband's retreating back, internally screaming and tearing her hair out. How could she possibly ignore him?!

That was her absolute cash cow!

If her cash cow stayed mad and stopped throwing money at her, she would be taking a massive loss!

Desperate to go appease him, Ivy quickly turned to Xavier.

"Xavier, my stomach is hurting a bit. I need to find a restroom quickly."