A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 201

Chapter 201

Ivy groaned, clenching her fists. "What does she want? Why won't she just leave?"

"I don't know, ma'am," Jade replied meekly. "But she's started to make everyone uncomfortable."

Ivy lifted a brow. "What do you mean by that?"

Jade hesitated. "She brought in a live snake. Says it's her pet."

"What?" Ivy hissed through gritted teeth. "I'm on my way."

"Yes, ma'am," Jade said, relief coloring her tone.

Ivy ended the call and sighed, frustration bubbling inside her. She detested that Elaine Chase was so stubborn.

"Everything good?" Cole asked from behind her.

She turned, quickly fixing her expression. "Yes, just a minor hindrance."

Cole moved closer and gave her a hug. "Aunt May said she's sorry."

Ivy nearly collapsed into his arms-until she registered his words. She stepped away, annoyance boiling in her. "Don't do that."

Cole tilted his head. "Do what?"

"Speak for her," she snapped. "You weren't there. You have no idea what she said."

Cole took a step forward, but she stepped back again. He sighed. "I'm not speaking for her. I'm just apologizing on her behalf."

"Don't do that either," she said, shaking her head. "She can apologize herself if she really means it.”

"See, Ivy, I'm not picking a side. I... understand both of you and 1-”

"You picked a side," she cut in sharply. "You already did, Cole."

He moved closer again. "No, I didn't. I'm just saying I understand how you feel. And I understand Aunt May's decision. You both-"

Ivy was surprised she could feel anger over something that had saddened her only yesterday.

She raised her hand, interrupting Cole again. "I don't want to talk about it. I don't need her apology."

"Alright," Cole said softly. "I apologize for bringing it up."

"Yeah," she muttered, turning toward the door.

"Have a good day," Cole said from behind her, but she ignored him.

"You're not thinking about anything today," she told herself as she stepped outside. "Positive vibes only."

She found Jonathan waiting. "Hey, Jonathan. Thanks for yesterday."

"You're welcome, ma'am," Jonathan replied. "Time for work?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Let me go get the car and the others."

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11:16 Mon, 23 Jun

Chapter 201

When he left, Ivy sighed. She couldn't believe Aunt May had sent Cole to

it wasn't a big deal, like she hadn't

scoffed, clutching her bag tighter. Her phone chimed with a message, and

from

See you

off without replying and tucked it back. Few

determined to bury herself in work until she was exhausted. She called Theresa, and when there was no answer,

ride to her company was swift, but that didn't stop her from building

she said, stepping

her office and spotted Elaine Chase sitting in the

Ivy said,

Stone," Elaine

five hefty bodyguards. No wonder security

Elaine's wrist. If it hadn't moved, Ivy might've mistaken it

do you

want to talk," Elaine

“And I

a step closer, the snake hissing softly. "Just try to

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

the woman's manic expression, but she refused to show

think you should

have fifty percent of the royalty. From the movie to the book-everything. Think about it,

the pushing anymore. Anger surged through her, and her mouth twisted. "My answer is no!" she

flashed with shock then she shrugged. "Well, I hope

the door, keeping her distance

long time before finally leaving, flanked

making sure they were gone before

murmuring

was weird," she

so," her receptionist said. "She was like this

Persistent. Wouldn't take

hell-bent on involving you, ma'am," Jade

frown. "They don't care what happens to anyone else. As

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11.10

Chapter 201

"Crazy," Jade said.

gate," Ivy instructed. "Every car should be screened now. I'm

face turned red.

office, her anger still simmering. She

it wasn't a story for Elaine Chase to tell, or

else.

her chair and exhaled slowly. "Time to bury all that," she muttered, opening her

next several hours finalizing Aaliyah's photos. By evening, she was

pointing to the small print draft ready to be published the

one of her

all for your time. Let's go get some

"Yes, ma'am," they chorused.

to Aaliyah, then packed up. Just as she

her office, Silas called.

"Hey," she answered.

said softly. "How are

up work," she said.

replied quickly. "Should I... come pick you

hated that they were speaking like strangers-holding conversation like the first

"Yes," she said.

you soon," Silas

to tell him

But she didn't.

tell him in

said

staff goodnight