A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 24

Silas felt Ivy stiffen in his arms as she faced the newcomers. Throughout dinner and their walk out of Whitney's, she had been smiling. happy. Now, in the presence of these strangers, her smile had vanished.

"I can't believe it, the woman said, moving closer. Her eyes scanned Ivy with open disdain. "When Paige told us about your new job, I doubted her. But seeing you here, dressed like this..." She shook her head. "You look like a slut."

Silas's brow arched. What was she talking about?

Ivy moved out of his embrace, her shoulders squared as she faced the woman. "Be careful with your next words," she said with a low

voice.

"Oh, Ivy." The man stepped forward, pushing the woman behind him. "Since when did you grow wings? What gives you the audacity to speak to my wife like that?"

Silas had no idea who they were, but he wasn't going to stand there and do nothing. He moved forward, his hand locked onto Ivy's.

"If I were you," Silas said coldly, "I'd leave while you can."

The man's eyes fluttered with recognition, quickly followed by fear. He took a step back. The woman, however, surged forward, her mouth twisting into an ugly

sneer.

"Mr. Stone, don't believe a word she tells you. She's nothing but a lying, good- for-nothing-"

"That's enough." Silas's tone was sharp. "I wouldn't have you speak to my-"But before he could say more, Ivy turned to him, her green eyes shimmering with emotion.

"Let's get out of here," she murmured, interrupting him.

He hesitated, anger simmering inside him, but Ivy tugged on his hand insistently, "Let's go." Ivy said, pulling him towards the car.

The man shouted after them. "You're a disgrace, Ivy! You've gone from being a reputable woman to a cheap slut. I've rescinded my offer. If you're going to tarnish my name and hoe around, I'll have nothing to do with you."

Silas's brow furrowed in thought as he pieced the situation together. His lips tightened, his expression hardening. "Is that... Mason

Hunter?"

Ivy ignored his question, tugging him towards the car. "Forget it. They're not worth it."

Anger surged in Silas's chest, and he made a move to leave the car, but Ivy stopped him with her small hand.

"Let's just go home. You don't want to make a scene-you have reporters around," she cautioned, looking suddenly exhausted.

Silas clenched his fists, leaning into the Bentley seat. He badly wanted to

Mason Hunter, to make him pay

about the press and eased

with him?" he

nodded, looking outside the

create a perfect evening

phone, he

want whoever was in charge of our privacy tonight

don't understand, Rachel stammered, clearly

heard me! I want that person gone. And if you can't do your job, kiss yours bye too,"

eyes wide with surprise.

their job," he replied softly, slipping the phone back

10 16 AM

Chapter 24

think you're overreacting," she murmured,

am not," he countered, though he didn't shout. "I asked for utter

emptiness of Whitney's-why wasn't it provided? First, it was Dylan, then Mason and Cheryl. If we'd stayed longer, who else would have shown

the acceptance in her eyes and looked away. He exhaled, the tension in his chest refusing to ease. He knew his anger had more to do with

Dylan doing back in town after months of

way Dylan had looked at Ivy-that look made him want to punch the man straight in the face Beneath the anger was

back memories of Kim, and for a fleeting moment, he imagined

you okay? You're clenching your list," Ivy's

her, managing

looking away. A faint blush

and Cheryl's appearance still

he smiled. "Are

too quickly

the message: Oliver has been fired, sir. He was responsible for ensuring Whitney's Restaurant was secured. I apologize

It was from Rachel.

everything okay?"

hand, surprised she was suddenly concerned about him. "It

her gaze shifting as Victor pulled into the driveway.

and the.. necklaces," she said, her cheeks

welcome." He gave a

the stairs, her movements graceful yet

n would never

er touch her-

a wave of possessiveness gripped him. She

not now, not ever.

the stairs, he knew he couldn't let her go just yet-not with the memory of his