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."

1/4

11:16 Mon, 23 Jun

Chapter 201

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

a big deal,

tighter. Her phone chimed with a message, and she took it from

was from Silas

See you

replying and tucked it back. Few moments later, Jonathan returned with

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

was swift, but that didn't stop her from

Jonathan," she said, stepping

spotted Elaine Chase sitting in the reception area, waiting

said,

Stone," Elaine said, rising

her were five hefty bodyguards. No wonder security hadn't been able to remove

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

you

just want to talk," Elaine smiled. "Harmless

I already gave

a step closer, the snake hissing

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

expression, but she refused to show it- not

think you should

royalty. From the movie to the book-everything. Think

through her, and her mouth twisted. "My answer is no!"

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

door, keeping her distance from the snake. "Thank you for

her for a long time before finally leaving,

out, making sure they

were murmuring amongst

weird,"

so," her receptionist said. "She

take no for

why she's so hell-bent on involving you, ma'am," Jade said, joining

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

2/4

11.10

Chapter 201

"Crazy," Jade said.

car should

turned red.

her office, her anger still simmering. She

movie. But it wasn't a story for

else.

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

the next several hours finalizing Aaliyah's photos.

look?" she asked her team, pointing to the

one of her photographers

"Thank you all for your time. Let's go

"Yes, ma'am," they chorused.

samples to Aaliyah, then packed

her office, Silas called.

"Hey," she answered.

said softly. "How

wrapping up work," she said. "We're still

"Should I... come pick you

that

"Yes," she said.

soon," Silas replied, his voice tinged with

to tell him

But she didn't.

to tell him in

Bye," she said instead, ending the

her staff goodnight and