When Ivy's question fell into the space between them, it was as if the air itself grew heavier.
Jade went silent, his lips parting slightly before closing again, his throat tightening.
Honestly, even he didn't know what he could possibly do to stop Frank from diving headfirst into yet another one of his reckless, ruinous ideas.
He lifted his gaze toward Ivy, and the moment he saw the disapproval etched across her face, his chest tightened.
He fell quiet for a brief moment, gathering his thoughts, before finally speaking in a low, steady voice, "Before I give you an answer... I want to meet him first. I need to talk to Father."
Ivy blinked, and for a fleeting second, something softer flickered in her eyes.
'At least… he isn't giving fake promises,' she thought, a faint sense of relief washing over her. She had half-expected chaos, or a rushed decision made out of desperation, but instead, Jade chose restraint.
