A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 10

Ivy whimpered as the hefty security guard dragged her into the street. She pursed her lips, refusing to let her emotions spill.

She couldn't believe it-Cheryl, of all people, had caused this humiliation. When had she changed? How had Ivy not noticed?

Cheryl's betrayal hurt, still Ivy couldn't process it.

Ivy sighed, making her way down the street. If Lily & Styles wouldn't have her, she'd spend the money elsewhere. After a short walk, she found Reginald's.

She had heard nice things about Reginald's but had never checked it out. Gathering her courage, she pushed the door open. She scanned the space, and found the blonde receptionist. But before Ivy could reach her, another woman intercepted her.

"Hello, I'm Lucy. How can I help you?" The woman smiled, but her eyes were anything but kind.

A blush crept up Ivy's face as she remembered Winnie's incident. "I have a black card," she said quickly, desperate to avoid further embarrassment.

Lucy folded her arms, a mocking smile played on her lips. "Oh, the fake card? You don't even have the owner's number."

Ivy's eyes widened. "How did you"

"Oh, darling." Lucy interrupted, her tone dripping with derision. "We share stories. I bet Winnie's already warned half the stores about you. Just go home. No one's falling for your act."

"What?" Ivy whispered, her face flushing with humiliation. At least Lucy kept her voice low enough to avoid drawing attention.

Lucy leaned in, wrapping an arm around Ivy's shoulder. "Find something else to do with your life. I'm sure you can." She patted Ivy on the cheek before gesturing to the exit. "Now, off you go before you offend our esteemed clients."

Once outside, Ivy dabbed her welling tears. She sniffled, still refusing to break down in public.

There was nothing to do now, she didn't have Silas's number, and she didn't even know the way to his house. She was contemplating her next move when a car pulled up beside her, and Bud, the hefty bodyguard, stepped out.

"Nothing good here either?" he asked, his deep voice tinged with concern.

Relief swept over Ivy as she saw him, and with it came the tears she had been holding back all day. She buried her face in her palms, sobbing gently. Grateful to see him.

Bud handed her a tissue.

"They wouldn't sell me anything, Ivy murmured, realizing how pathetic she sounded.

hardened. "Are we going back to the first

shame. She couldn't possibly go back to

sighed, his tone firm. "Wipe your tears, ma'am. We're

want to go home,"

are to make sure

nodded. Together, they walked back into the Reginald's. Lucy's eyes narrowed the moment she

can't shop here," she said, her annoyance

say that," Bud countered, walking protectively behind

to add a bodyguard to your charade. Leave before I call

to burn this building to the ground for

Chapter 10

across Lucy's face and then resolution. "Fine," she sighed. "You

your tone," Bud snapped, and Lucy

voice quaking with fear. "Please, allow me to

glance before following Lucy. An

and bags than she had

in the car, her green eyes glistened with gratitude. "Thank you," she

nod, his eyes softening

at Silas's house, Monica was waiting with two other women, who quickly helped her with

kind smile. "He asked me to tell you to get ready-he'll

a tray of food awaited, and her stomach gave a betraying growl as her eyes Janded Janded on

of shopping would leave you exhausted," Monica said as she placed the bags at the foot of Ivy's bed. "I'll have a hot bath prepared for you. Just let me know when you're

speak, Ivy

Stone has also left a special surprise

to it," she said, departing

released the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Her emotions were i turmoil, and she didn't know how to process everything that

in

could take. Afterward, she

surprise Silas had left in the

gown and a diamond-cut necklace. Ivy's breath caught when she saw them. The gown was a long, sheer

was

that subtly sparkled under the

enhancing her curves. Monica helped style her brown