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!"

Ivy shot

me just to keep seeing him?" Silas asked. He knew she would take offense

pale. "I accepted your stupid

now you throw this

Silas admitted, his voice softening. "Explain why Thomas keeps

no idea! I didn't plan anything,"

angry, but he was still hurt and

She blinked. "What?"

I asked you this morning, you were certain you didn't know when, and all of a sudden you went to your aunt's house and changed your mind. I bet you planned all of it

gaze lingered on her heaving chest, and desire sparked within him. His arousal grew

contract, you still think

1/3

10:16 AM C

Chapter 16

panic. "Where are you going?"

from you and your judgement!" she snapped, heading to

her, softening his

then turned back reluctantly. Relief washed over him as

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

as

for the evening. Let's start with some white wine while I take your order," he

call you when we're ready."

her glass away, folding her arms. "What else do

he might have pushed a button. "The public announcement," he said, reaching out for his glass of wine. *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 a public wedding, with reporters present, followed by a honeymoon, private dinner dates,

going on a honeymoon with you," Ivy cut

going to object to that.

already told you I don't want intimacy. How hard is that to

intimate," Silas replied firmly, already tired of their argument. "It's just for appearance. You signed

I requested still haven't been added," she said, her green eyes glinting with

wine. "It's at home.

new contract, just as he'd already taken

photography business