Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

In the early hours of New Year's Day, Ivy made her way to Kyle's villa while everyone was still fast asleep. The security guards, having recognized her from before, did not stop her but instead informed the butler.

The butler, already in bed, was awakened by the guard's urgent report. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes and throwing on a robe, he went to the door and was surprised to see Ivy standing there.

"Miss Montgomery, what brings you here at this hour?" he asked courteously, though Ivy had long since been dismissed from the villa. His tone remained polite, showing no trace of displeasure.

"I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but I must see Mr. Raymond. It's a matter of great urgency," Ivy replied earnestly.

"The master has already gone to bed. Perhaps you could wait until morning? There are empty guest rooms available. Miss Montgomery, why not rest for the night and see him first thing tomorrow?" the butler offered.

"But this is really important," Ivy insisted. "Please, I need to see him now."

The butler hesitated. "The master has only just fallen asleep. Being awakened abruptly will surely put him in a bad mood. Whatever the matter, it might be best to wait until morning. When the master is angry, no one can calm him."

"Then... I'll wait here until he wakes up," Ivy said, resigned. She had no other choice. If it weren't for the urgent danger Zachary was in, she wouldn't have risked coming here in the middle of the night.

The butler, observing her determination, tried again to persuade her. "The nights are cold, Miss Montgomery. The room you used to stay in is still vacant. You should rest there. Catching a cold would only make things worse."

Over the years, the butler had seen many women who had been dismissed from the villa attempt to return. But he remembered that Ivy had left cleanly, without any drama or lingering attachments. It was New Year's Day, and her anxious arrival at this hour was unlikely to be a plea to return but rather a request for help.

The butler had worked with Kyle for many years and was no ordinary man. A mere glance at Ivy told him all he needed to know.

Before meeting Mio Walsh, Ivy had little hope for life and had followed Kyle without much care. But her chance encounter with Mio in Rome had changed everything. For the first time, she felt warmth, and when Kyle ordered her to leave, she did so without hesitation. Mio's appearance had been a turning point for her. She couldn't bring herself to reconnect with Kyle, not even for one night.

declined the butler's offer. "I came back only to see Mr. Raymond.

insistence, finally relented. "Very well, Miss

for your understanding," Ivy

my duty," the butler replied

on the living room sofa, clutching a pillow. She called Genevieve to

It's so late," Genevieve

concern.

Year's bells in the square. The streets are packed; it's very lively. Don't worry about me. Go to bed early," Ivy said

middle of the night, and the house is empty.

mother go to prison to save Zachary, Ivy realized how wrong she'd been. Now, she felt nothing but heartache for Genevieve and wanted her to live a peaceful

Despite all that Genevieve had done for

don't worry. Zach told me earlier that he's spending New Year's with friends. You know how he loves to have fun.

you! Genevieve's health was fragile, and Ivy didn't dare reveal the truth, fearing it would upset her. Genevieve sighed in relief. "That boy

time, he'll have to grow up," Ivy

was always there to back him. Even when he owed massive debts, his creditors didn't dare touch him. But now, without the Montgomery family's protection, Zachary had

time?" Genevieve caught the hint in

have something to take care of here. Don't

said, her mood lightened

come to this? Would Mr. Raymond agree to lend her five million dollars? She was no longer his woman. That night was one of the most agonizing of Ivy's life. Even with the heater in the living room, she couldn't sleep soundly. Whenever she dozed off, she woke up almost immediately, glancing outside to check if the sky had begun to lighten. But the night dragged on, as if time itself was against

worrying about Zachary. Her thoughts raced until dawn approached, and she finally closed her eyes for

of

her long.