A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Ivy groaned, clenching her fists. "What does she want? Why won't she just leave?"

"I don't know, ma'am," Jade replied meekly. "But she's started to make everyone uncomfortable."

Ivy lifted a brow. "What do you mean by that?"

Jade hesitated. "She brought in a live snake. Says it's her pet."

"What?" Ivy hissed through gritted teeth. "I'm on my way."

"Yes, ma'am," Jade said, relief coloring her tone.

Ivy ended the call and sighed, frustration bubbling inside her. She detested that Elaine Chase was so stubborn.

"Everything good?" Cole asked from behind her.

She turned, quickly fixing her expression. "Yes, just a minor hindrance."

Cole moved closer and gave her a hug. "Aunt May said she's sorry."

Ivy nearly collapsed into his arms-until she registered his words. She stepped away, annoyance boiling in her. "Don't do that."

Cole tilted his head. "Do what?"

"Speak for her," she snapped. "You weren't there. You have no idea what she said."

Cole took a step forward, but she stepped back again. He sighed. "I'm not speaking for her. I'm just apologizing on her behalf."

"Don't do that either," she said, shaking her head. "She can apologize herself if she really means it.”

"See, Ivy, I'm not picking a side. I... understand both of you and 1-”

"You picked a side," she cut in sharply. "You already did, Cole."

He moved closer again. "No, I didn't. I'm just saying I understand how you feel. And I understand Aunt May's decision. You both-"

Ivy was surprised she could feel anger over something that had saddened her only yesterday.

She raised her hand, interrupting Cole again. "I don't want to talk about it. I don't need her apology."

"Alright," Cole said softly. "I apologize for bringing it up."

"Yeah," she muttered, turning toward the door.

"Have a good day," Cole said from behind her, but she ignored him.

"You're not thinking about anything today," she told herself as she stepped outside. "Positive vibes only."

She found Jonathan waiting. "Hey, Jonathan. Thanks for yesterday."

"You're welcome, ma'am," Jonathan replied. "Time for work?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Let me go get the car and the others."

11:16 Mon, 23 Jun

When he left, Ivy sighed. She couldn't believe Aunt May had sent Cole to

apologize, like it wasn't a big deal, like she hadn't hurt her.

Ivy scoffed, clutching her bag tighter. Her phone chimed with a message, and she took it from her bag.

It was from Silas again.

"Thank you. See you then."

She clicked the phone off without replying and tucked it back. Few moments later, Jonathan returned with the car.

She hopped in, determined to bury herself in work until she was exhausted. She called Theresa, and when there was no answer, she texted to check if she was okay.

The ride to her company was swift, but that didn't stop her from building up enough anger toward Elaine Chase.

"Thank you, Jonathan," she said, stepping out of the car.

Ivy walked into her office and spotted Elaine Chase sitting in the reception area, waiting calmly.

"Ms. Chase," Ivy said, her voice hard.

"Ivy Stone," Elaine said, rising slowly.

Behind her were five hefty bodyguards. No wonder security hadn't been able to remove her.

A green snake coiled around Elaine's wrist. If it hadn't moved, Ivy might've mistaken it for an elegant bracele

"What do you want?" Ivy demanded.

"I just want to talk," Elaine smiled. "Harmless conversation, Ivy Stone."

Ivy's brow creased. “And I already gave you my answer."

Elaine took a step closer, the snake hissing softly. "Just try to understand. This is

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Ivy was intimidated by the woman's manic expression, but she refused to show it- not with her staff watching and listening intently.

"I think you should leave, Ms. Chase."

As expected, Elaine pressed. "You'll have fifty percent of the royalty. From the movie to the book-everything. Think about it, Ivy Stone. It's a good offer."

Ivy couldn't stand the pushing anymore. Anger surged through her, and her mouth twisted. "My answer is no!" she spat. "Please leave."

Elaine's eyes flashed with shock then she shrugged. "Well, I hope you know what you're missing."

Ivy gestured to the door, keeping her distance from the snake. "Thank you for coming."

Elaine regarded her for a long time before finally leaving, flanked by her bodyguards.

Ivy followed them out, making sure they were gone before returning to her staff,

who were murmuring amongst themselves.

"That was weird," she muttered.

"Very much so," her receptionist said. "She was like this when she came

yesterday. Persistent. Wouldn't take no for an answer."

"I wonder why she's so hell-bent on involving you, ma'am," Jade said, joining in.

"Profits," Ivy answered with a frown. "They don't care what happens to anyone else. As long as they make it."

11.10

"Crazy," Jade said.

"I want extra security at the gate," Ivy instructed. "Every car should be screened now. I'm tired of having random people just walk in."

Jade's face turned red. "Yes, ma'am."

tvy headed into her office, her anger still simmering. She couldn't deny it-her life

had been like a movie. But it wasn't a story for Elaine Chase to tell, or anyone

else.

She slumped into her chair and exhaled slowly. "Time to bury all that," she muttered, opening her laptop.

She spent the next several hours finalizing Aaliyah's photos. By evening, she was finally done,

"How does it look?" she asked her team, pointing to the small print draft ready to be published the next day.

"Great," one of her photographers said.

Pride warmed her chest. "Thank you all for your time. Let's go get some rest."

"Yes, ma'am," they chorused.

She emailed some samples to Aaliyah, then packed up. Just as she was teaving

her office, Silas called.

"Hey," she answered.

"Hey," he said softly. "How are you doing?"

"Good. Just wrapping up work," she said. "We're still seeing soon?"

"Sure. Yes," he replied quickly. "Should I... come pick you up?"

She closed her eyes, pain trickling in her chest. She hated that they were speaking like strangers-holding conversation like the first night they met.

"Yes," she said.

"Alright then. See you soon," Silas replied, his voice tinged with excitement.

She wanted to tell him she was sorry.

But she didn't.

Better to tell him in person.

"Yeah. Bye," she said instead, ending the call.

She waved her staff goodnight and made her way outside.

"Hey, Jonathan. Ready?"

"Yes, ma'am," Jonathan said with a smile, opening the car door for her.

"Thank you," she said, sliding in.

Her phone chimed, and when she reached for it, she frowned. It was a message

from an unknown number, but she already knew who it was.

"A deal of a lifetime, Ivy Stone. You're going to be richer than ever. Think about it."

She blocked the number immediately, her heart burning with anger.

11:16 Mon, 23 Jun

Maybe it was time to call Elaine Chase what she really was-a stalker.

"What the..."

A loud thud sounded behind them, and her heart leapt.

"What was that?"

Jonathan slowed the car and glanced in the mirror. Ivy turned too.

The second vehicle, with the other guards, was gone.

"I thought they were behind us," she said, her voice raising in alarm.

"They were," Jonathan said, his brow furrowing. He reversed quickly, speeding down the road.

Ivy looked out the window, her stomach tightened. Halfway down the road, they saw the other vehicle parked in the middle of the road.

"Oh!" Jonathan gasped, pulling over.

When the car stopped, Ivy jumped out, her heart racing. The guards' car haad been hit. Skid marks were on the road, but no other vehicle in sight.

"How did this happen?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Jonathan approached cautiously. When he opened the door, they found both

guards unconscious.

+

Panic surged in Ivy's chest. She pulled out her phone and dialed the emergency

line. She walked to the back of the car, examining the damage.

"911, what's your emergency?"

Before she could speak, a white car appeared out of nowhere, speeding towards

them.

"Watch out!" Jonathan shouted.

But it was too late.

He jumped in front of Ivy just as the car slammed into him, throwing him up in the

air.

"Jonathan!" Ivy screamed, rushing to him.noveldrama

The white car sped off, but not before she saw the driver's short blonde hair.

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