A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 16

"What?" Ivy exclaimed, her mouth dropping open

Her face turned pale, but Silas wasn't buying it. "You heard me right," he said, trying to conceal the mixture of disappointment and hurt beneath his anger. "Don't act clueless."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I didn't invite Mason to Aunt May's, I went there-

"Stop lying!" Silas snapped, and he saw her flinch. "Just tell the truth."

She bit her lip and looked away, as if she was gathering her thoughts. “I didn't invite Mason. He came on his own," she finally said.

Silas could feel the anger bubbling, still he kept it away from his voice. "So how did he know to find you there?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "He knows I've been staying at Aunt May's house,"

Silas leaned back in the chair, appraising Ivy as she brushed a strand of hair from her face. He wasn't buying it, he wasn't buying that Mason just showed up unexpectedly-uninvited-at her aunt's door.

He was starting to think maybe Thomas was right. Maybe Ivy isn't who she said she was. And he had to admit, he was bothered by that.

After he had called Thomas to secure a land for Ivy, Thomas had called again, mentioning being dropped from another project. Thomas hadn't said much, but when Bud called to tell him Mason was at May's house, Silas couldn't help but conclude

“I don't believe you," Silas hissed. "You expect me to believe you went to your aunt's house and Mason just happened to find you there?"

"That's exactly what happened," Ivy replied coolly..

Her nonchalant tone snapped something in him, and he found his anger spilling out. "Before you signed this contract, you said you weren't seeing Mason. You said you were done with him!"

"I was, and I still am!" she snapped, her mouth controting. "I literally married you because of that, didn't I? Isn't that enough proof?"

"Yet you entertained his presence! Bud said Mason was there for over thirty minutes, while he was thrown out in less than thirty seconds. Explain that!" Silas exclaimed, firing more than he intended to.

Ivy's eyes flashed with anger. "Since Bud knows everything, let him finish the story! It was a coincidence, and I expected you to trust me when I said so."

"Trust you? You lied to me!"

what?" Ivy shot

him?" Silas asked. He knew she

accepted your stupid contract

now you throw this

admitted, his voice softening. "Explain why Thomas keeps

had no idea! I

was still hurt and he rode on that emotion. "So what

She blinked. "What?"

did you change your mind about the public announcement? When I asked you this morning, you were certain you didn't know when, and all of a

glared at him, offended and hurt. Silas's gaze lingered on her heaving chest, and desire

you still think I am with Mason, then I

1/3

10:16 AM C

Chapter 16

switching to panic. "Where are you

judgement!" she snapped, heading

called after her, softening his tone.

back reluctantly. Relief washed over him as she returned to her seat, her expression set

of him wanted to reach out and kiss her-kiss the anger out of her lips; another part wanted to stay far away from her until he could figure out what her deal

looked away, just as the waiter approached

Henry, your waiter for the evening. Let's start with some white wine while

you when we're

away, folding her arms. "What else do you

*I've spoken to my team, and we've come to a series of conclusions," he paused, and when he saw he had her full attention, he continued. "We'll need

on a honeymoon

she was going to object to that. "It's for publicity.

How hard is that to understand?" Ivy's tone tinged with

replied firmly, already tired of their

still haven't been added," she said, her green

wine. "It's at home.

to send the new contract, just as he'd already

photography