Transmigrated: I Became My Nemesis's Woman novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198: Help me relax a little

Time passed, and before long, Leo excused himself and headed upstairs, leaving only Ivy, Aaron, and Edward in the living room.

Silence lingered for a moment before Aaron let out a quiet sigh.

"I honestly never imagined Nora would go this far just to impress her friends," he muttered, shaking his head. "She really made a fool of herself this time."

He had only learned about the incident earlier that day after his mother, Lilianna, showed him the video that had spread across social media.

Edward frowned, glancing between the two younger people.

"Nora?" he asked. "Am I missing something here?"

He recognized the name. Nora was Ivy’s younger sister.

However, the way Ivy lowered her eyes and the heaviness that settled over the room told him there was far more to the story than he knew.

Aaron leaned back against the sofa with an exasperated sigh.

"She went around telling everyone that I’m her boyfriend. Not only that, she even claimed we’re getting married soon."

Edward blinked.

"...What?"

Aaron gave a helpless laugh.

"I wish I were joking."

He rubbed his forehead before continuing.

"After Ivy told me what Nora was really like, I had already decided there was no future between us. I respectfully rejected any possibility of marriage, and thankfully my mother supported my decision."

"But apparently..." Aaron shrugged, "...that wasn’t enough."

"She kept telling people we were together."

"And now that the truth has come out..." he sighed. "She’s become the laughingstock of her own circle."

Edward’s expression slowly darkened.

The more he listened, the more ashamed he felt.

For years he had believed Ivy and her family had willingly traded her future for money.

He had judged her without ever trying to understand the circumstances.

But the more he came to know Ivy...

...the more he realized she had never truly belonged in that family.

"They’re unbelievable," Edward muttered under his breath.

Ivy offered him a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Florine may have raised me," she said softly, "but she was never someone I could depend on."

The room fell silent.

There wasn’t a trace of resentment in her voice.

Only quiet acceptance.

"I don’t want anyone to misunderstand the situation because of me."

She looked directly at Edward.

"If Florine tries to use my relationship with Xander or this family for her own benefit... I won’t allow it."

"I’ve already spent enough years being used."

Aaron silently nodded.

He knew better than anyone that Florine saw relationships as stepping stones.

If Xander’s identity became public, Florine would undoubtedly cling to him for status and influence.

But she had overlooked one thing.

Ivy would never let anyone exploit the people she cared about.

Edward stared at her for several seconds.

His chest tightened.

How much had this child endured while carrying herself so calmly?

Finally, he let out a slow breath.

"I don’t know what kind of life you’ve lived until now," he admitted.

"And I regret never asking."

His voice softened with rare sincerity.

"But from this day forward..."

He reached out and gently patted her hand.

"...you’re family."

"You don’t have to fight everything alone anymore."

His eyes became unusually warm.

"As long as I’m alive, no one will ever look down on you again."

"And if anyone dares bully you..."

A proud smile spread across his face.

"They’ll have to answer to this old man first."

Ivy felt warmth spread through her chest.

It had been years...

No.

Perhaps her entire life...

No elder had ever spoken to her like this.

Not because they wanted something from her.

Not because of obligation.

But simply because they cared.

"Thank you..."

Her voice trembled ever so slightly.

She blinked quickly, but the tears gathering in her eyes betrayed her.

A single tear escaped before she could stop it.

Just then—

"Who’s making my woman cry?"

A deep, familiar voice echoed through the living room.

Everyone instinctively turned.

Xander had just entered.

Still dressed in his tailored black suit, he strode inside with long, confident steps.

The moment his eyes landed on Ivy wiping away a tear, his expression instantly darkened.

Without greeting anyone, he walked straight over and sat beside her.

His hand immediately wrapped around her shoulder.

"What happened?"

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

But Aaron knew that tone.

It was the calm before a storm.

Xander gently tilted Ivy’s chin toward him.

"Did someone upset you?"

His sharp gaze slowly shifted toward Edward.

"...Did he threaten you again?"

Edward froze.

Aaron pressed his lips together.

Ivy stared at Xander in disbelief.

For three long seconds...

The room was completely silent.

Edward’s eyes widened.

Then his beard practically quivered in outrage.

"You ungrateful brat!"

He pointed an accusing finger at Xander.

"Is that the first conclusion your brain comes to?"

"You see one tear and immediately assume I bullied her?"

"I may have scared half the business world, but I’m not some villain who goes around making young girls cry!"

Aaron couldn’t hold it anymore.

A laugh escaped him.

Edward shot him a glare.

"And you!"

"What are you laughing at?"

Aaron quickly coughed into his fist.

"Nothing, Grandpa."

Edward snorted.

"I was comforting my granddaughter!"

"I finally managed to say something heartfelt after all these years..."

"And the first thing this rascal says is, ’Did you threaten her?’"

He looked toward the ceiling dramatically.

"What terrible karma did I accumulate to deserve such an ungrateful grandson?"

Xander didn’t look even remotely guilty.

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