A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 4

Ivy was humming a tune as she got ready for work when a knock sounded at her door. "Yes, Aunt?"

"I need you in the living room now," her aunt replied, her tone urgent.

Ivy brushed her hair and wore her flats. She was in a very good mood after spending the night with Silas.

Last night reminded her that she was still a pretty woman who a handsome man found alluring enough to spend the night with

She arranged her bag, humming as she prepared for work without hurry. When she entered the living room, her good mood vanished as she saw her father and Cole. "Dad?" she said, startled.

"I told you I don't want you around me! Why were you asking your brother for money!" her father yelled.

Ivy's cheeks flushed as she glanced between her father and Cole. "I'm..sorry. I just needed something to start up my-"

"I don't care!" her father interrupted. “I asked a million times if you loved that idiot, and you said you did, You gave him everything, and he ruined you." His bitterness was palpable.

That's enough, Patrick," her aunt chided. "She's gone through enough. We're supposed to correct her with love."

"You can do that," her father sneered. "I don't have any more love to give her."

Ivy bit her lip to hold back her tears. She had brought it upon herself; she'd trusted Mason, and he'd let her down. She couldn't blame her father for his anger. "Be kind with your words," her aunt cautioned.

"I didn't come here to be lectured, May," her father said, giving Ivy a look of pure disdain. "I came here to warn you: if you ever disturb your brother for my money again, I'll have you arrested,

Ivy looked away, silent.

"You can keep her now," her father said to her aunt. "She's no longer my daughter. I disown you, disgraceful child."

"Dad..." Ivy's voice trailed as he left.

"I'm so sorry.

so sorry, Ivy. He found our, Cole murmured before following their father.

Ivy sank into the couch, barely holding tears in place.

Her aunt sat beside her and hugged her. "I'm so sorry, my dear," she said softly. "Til talk to your father-he'll-"

"No," Ivy shook her head. "I deserve this,"

"No, you don't," May tightened her embrace. "You trusted the wrong man. It's not your fault, my sweet girl"

Images of Mason and pregnant Cheryl flashed through her mind. She didn't want to dwell on their betrayal, or her father's rejection.

She just wanted to bury herself in work and hold onto the memory of her night with a beautiful stranger.

"I need to go to work, Aunt May," Ivy said, standing up.

"Should I pack you some breakfast? I made toast," May offered.

appetite," Ivy

to say, she dashed out of the

locker room. She looked at herself in the mirror, determined. She

one of the girls at work stopped her "Hey, Ivy. Thu called for you. She's in

plastering

the manager's office, wondering

for her absence

10:14 AM

Chapter 4

she greeted as she opened the door. "You

Turn

eyes widened. "Fired? Just for

because I got a good offer to kick you "Who paid you to do this?"

out

sharpened. "Miss Cheryl. Now, drop your things and leave

left Tina's office, too stunned

packed her items, her phone chimed with a message from Cheryl:

herself. The day had gone worse than she had expected, she-—a daughter of a restaurateur-was now

restaurant.

would embrace it and move forward. Ivy handed in her things,

She

lost in thoughts, when a car pulled up

Hunter-Miss Scott. You have to come with me, he

gave the man a cautious look. "It's just Ivy," she said bitterly. She was not a Hunter-and probably not a Scott anymore. "You'll

wants to see

froze mid-step

man nodded, pointing

nothing left for her-she could either go

follow this stranger to meet

chose the latter.

man drove through town, and shortly after, they arrived at a towering building, Ivy bit

She stepped inside, and soon

to a gold door

It was him-the hazel-eyed stranger, though his eyes

Ivy smiled sheepishly at him as he stood

ask you to get from me?" He grabbed her hand,

him.

saw the fury in his eyes.

"You think you can charm me

hurting me," she

didn't

know what you're talking

talking about Mason, your husband. What did he

send me anything, and he's my ex-husband now," she explained,

echoing in the

information from me, right?"

hurt and disgust. He thought she had slept