Transmigrated: I Became My Nemesis's Woman novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Is someone cursing me?

By the time the game finally ended, Taylor looked like a man who had just survived a life-threatening ordeal.

Correction—multiple life-threatening ordeals.

His hair was messy, his shirt slightly wrinkled, and his dignity... completely shattered.

"I think... I’ve done enough for today," he muttered weakly.

Before he could embarrass himself any further—or worse, get strangled again—he quickly excused himself and disappeared.

Wise decision.

Now, seated on the couch were Leo, Ivy, and Xander.

Leo was still glowing with excitement, practically bouncing in his seat.

Xander, on the other hand, looked like a retired judge observing chaos in a courtroom—calm, expressionless, and mildly judging his assistant’s life choices.

"Young Master, it’s time for your studies," Butler Rupert said as he stepped forward.

Leo’s smile instantly dropped.

"...Do I have to?" he groaned, his face scrunching up in protest.

Homework.

His greatest enemy.

He looked like he had just been sentenced to punishment.

But before he could start negotiating his escape, Ivy spoke.

"How about this?" she said calmly. "You finish your studies... and after dinner, I’ll tell you a bedtime story."

Leo froze. Then— his eyes lit up like fireworks.

"Really?!" he gasped, turning to her. "You will, Mommy?"

Ivy gave a small nod.

That was enough.

"Yay!! I’m so excited!" Leo cheered, jumping off the couch.

Suddenly, homework didn’t seem so terrible anymore.

Without wasting another second, he ran off toward his study room, Butler Rupert following behind with a faint smile.

Ivy watched him leave, a quiet calm surrounding her.

For a moment, everything felt... peaceful.

Until—

"How did you know someone had walked in?"

Xander’s voice broke the silence.

Ivy turned her gaze toward him as he sat there, composed as ever, his expression unreadable.

Not a single muscle moved.

Is he always like this? she thought.

Or is he suffering from some permanent form of constipation? Her lips twitched slightly, but she kept her face neutral.

"I heard your car outside," she replied simply. "So I assumed it was you."

She paused for a moment before adding, "I just didn’t expect Taylor to follow you."

It was the truth.

She had heard the vehicle enter the property—but being distracted with Leo, she hadn’t paid much attention to it.

Xander nodded, as if accepting her explanation.

But the faint look in his eyes said otherwise.

He wasn’t entirely convinced.

"Alright," he said calmly, standing up. "I’ll head back to my room."

But before he could take a step—her voice stopped him mid-motion.

"I considered your advice from this morning."

Xander paused, his head tilting slightly.

"About spending time in nature... it was good," Ivy said, letting out a small, awkward laugh.

Surprisingly, she had enjoyed the quiet.

The fresh air. The stillness. And later... Leo’s company. But her smile faltered the moment Xander fully turned toward her, his arms crossing over his chest.

"And?" he prompted.

Ivy straightened, lifting her chin slightly.

Unknown number.

People didn’t ignore her. They chased her.

So what just happened?

Her expression darkened as irritation flared.

She was just about to call Xander back, but then she paused as her brows slowly relaxed.

"...Maybe he’s playing hard to get," she murmured, tilting her head thoughtfully.

Yes, that made much more sense.

After all, a man like him—powerful, composed, distant—wouldn’t fall so easily.

And Nora? She had always loved a challenge.

A slow smile spread across her lips as she flipped her hair over her shoulder, confidence returning in full force.

"I’m sure... once he sees me, he won’t be able to avoid me."

Her eyes gleamed with certainty.

Nora knew exactly what she was capable of.

Beauty was her greatest weapon—and she had never once lost a battle using it.

If she wanted Xander’s attention... she would get it.

But she wouldn’t rush. Men like him required strategy.

After all— he wasn’t just any man. He was Ivy’s man, and she would make sure she would get him.

***

"Achoo!"

Ivy sneezed softly in her room, blinking in confusion.

"Is someone cursing me?" she muttered under her breath.

For a brief second, she looked around as if expecting an answer—but then, just as quickly, a small smile returned to her lips.

Her mood lifted again.

Now that Xander had allowed her to step out of the house freely, a plan had already begun forming in her mind.

And the first step was to find the person who had hired her for the mission... the one that involved targeting Xander.