A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 9

"Welcome to our store! It's so lovely having you here," Winnie said, hugging Cheryl.

Of all the people Ivy could have met, it was Cheryl-the betrayer. Ivy froze, completely shocked by how Winnie had ignored her.

Cheryl walked up to the receptionist table, her hands on her bulging stomach. Thank you," she said, then turned to Ivy, her mouth contorting. "Ivy? What are you doing here?

Ivy bit her lip. "I came here to shop."

"There's a Goodwill just across the street. I'm sure they'll have something for you, dear," Winnie said, her tone humiliating.

Cheryl laughed loudly.

Ivy felt her face redden with embarrassment. "It's Ivy, Winnie," she said firmly, brushing a strand of hair from her face, making sure Winnie could see her- despite the hideous gown she wore.

"Oh, Ivy." Winnie said, placing a hand on her chest, feigning surprise. "Would you like security to help you out?"

Laughter filled the room, and Ivy's heart broke. Despite the sadness in her chest, she refused to cower. "It's funny how you've forgotten about me," she said, holding a wobbly smile. "Remember when you used to beg me to shop here so you wouldn't run out of customers! How time flies."

Winnie gasped but quickly recovered. "That was when you were Mrs. Hunter. Now... she rubbed her hand on Cheryl's shoulder. "There's someone else I cater to."

Ivy's eyes burned with anger, as she scanned Cheryl all over. "A betrayer you mean?"

"How dare you!" Cheryl yelled, raising her hand to hit Ivy, but Winnie stopped her.

"That won't be necessary, Mrs. Hunter, Winnie said coolly.

"I guess the truth hurts, doesn't it?" Ivy laughed bitterly,

Cheryl scoffed, adjusting her clothes, "How was the truth like when Aunt May found out you were fired?"

Ivy gasped.

"I bet she was sad to see her little girl lost," Cheryl smirked, eyes gleaming with malice. "I wonder what's next for you."

"That's none of your business, but I sure wouldn't be stealing another woman's man," Ivy snapped.

"You can only steal what belongs to someone," Cheryl said, folding her arms, her diamond ring glinting in the light. "Maso

"Mason was never yours

would have thought that

to pick her best friend- the same friend she had helped, the one she'd

her with so much

lips, the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "Why do you hate me so much?"

eyes softened

it," Cheryl scoffed, the anger returning to her gaze. "I don't hate you. And if you think me being with Mason means I hate

She couldn't break down-not here, not now, not with everyone watching "If you think you love Mason more than I did, then I can only wish you luck. Have

allow Winnie let you shop here. Buy whatever you want. I'll

money, you mean,"

1/3

10:15 AM

Chapter 9

Mrs. Hunter, how generous of you," Winnie

Winnie." Cheryl

her. She

tak

the call.

Was

Cole. -L

can I call

You've barely healed from the last one," Cole's voice crackled through the

fault that Mason

explanation," she said through gritted teeth. "It's my life, and I live

was your life a year and a half ago, but you almost ruined our family's reputation with that

stare. But she didn't care-she was too pissed to care. "Just because I made a mistake doesn't mean I can't heal from it, and it doesn't give any of you the right to say terrible things about me! I won't take it!" she snapped, hanging up the

she tucked her phone back in her bag. She

spotted her and walked

said, "I've changed my mind. I don't want to buy those

will he cheat on you if

the attitude and the dress," she said. "That's why I changed my mind. I can't have people thinking I'm associated. with you.... you

made me jobless," Ivy

father saw you there. Besides, you've always hated anything that wasn't photography,"

of the back and forth with

Mason was kind enough to oder." Cheryl's mouth curved into a smile. "He'd be so excited