A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

With a heavy heart, Silas made his way home. He remembered he'd told Jvy to wait up, but unable to face her, he went straight to his room and fell asleep—or at least tried to.

The next morning, he woke up feeling better, yet regret lingered beneath. He still felt guilty for yelling at Thomas yesterday,

He left his bed, got into his gym clothes, and went straight for his exercises. After a solid workout, he went back to his room. Before stepping into the shower, he dialed Monica,

"Good morning, Monica. Please have Ivy ready for breakfast with me."

He ended the call and took a long shower. He picked a crisp white shirt and gray shorts, and went to the dining room. He was sipping his coffee when Ivy entered.

He smiled at her. "Good morning."

Ivy entered cautiously, as though expecting an audience. He couldn't blame her- yesterday's breakfast was meant to be intimate before Thomas and the others interrupted. His thoughts moved to his brother, but he quickly shoved them away.

Good morning," Ivy replied softly, taking her seat.

"How was your night? Sorry I wasn't able to see you before going to bed," he said. "Yes, it's fine," she said flatly. "Night was fine."

She didn't ask about his, and he was grateful. If she had, he'd probably have to tell how restless it was, bothered by the argument with his brother.

The dinning door opened with a creak and Bethany entered with a tray filled with food. "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Stone," she smiled warmly.

"Morning, Bethany," Silas replied.

"Good morning, Bethany. How are you?" Ivy asked.

"Great," Bethany answered. She set the tray down and began serving them. "We have some freshly baked croissants with artisanal butter and coffee. Enjoy."

"Thank you, Bethany," Ivy smiled as she left the room.

Once they were alone again, Silas picked up his coffee, studying Ivy carefully over the rim of his cup. She seemed more relaxed this morning. Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to talk.

"So," he began carefully, tell me about yourself-aside from the things I already know."

Which, admittedly, was almost nothing.

Ivy looked up from her plate, visibly surprised. "Like what?"

"I don't know," he chuckled. Of course, he knew. "Like why you ended your

marriage with Mason. Your family. You know, the usual

stuff."

slowly and sipped her coffee before

expecting something new. "Yes, you told

best friend thing. He was already cheating-with his secretary," she clarified. "And I'm sure

women,"

was all he

a fool to lose her. Well, one man's trash is another man's treasure-his

the marriage after that," she said, enjoying

you went to live with

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11:53 AM

Chapter 39

She nodded.

0

her aunt mentioning something about Ivy losing a job. "So, you got a job and

eyes sharp.

shrugged, trying to sound casual. "I just want to get to know

made his intention too obvious. He'd spent all night thinking about Thomas's words. What if Ivy really was scheming with Mason? What

What exactly do you want

there something I should

Mason 20 million dollars-my inheritance. He wanted to pay me back only a million. The night I met you, I called my brother for help but he bailed." Silas's eyes widened. He wasn't expecting that information

offered to give you just one million?" he asked,

for her coffee. "He had also threatened to reduce it before. Recently, he offered to pay the whole

marriage?" Silas's voice was fierce, with anger burning in his chest. "He's got some

Ivy

was stupid to ask, but he asked anyway. She laughed.

mean, 20 million is a lot. You could restart your life

appeared on her lips.

Silas nodded and continued eating. After a moment of silence he spoke again. "Our photoshoot has

alright." Ivy's expression shifted, a faint blush creeping up her

photoshoot had been a disaster-one he wasn't proud of, but had led to some stearny moments that he couldn't

knot of tension that had appeared in his chest

of them munching their breakfast, until Silas cleared his throat. "Did

smiled. "It's

it," he said, pride

eyes widened. "Really?