Ivy reached out, her hands sweeping across the empty bed, searching for Zack's presence beside her."Where did he go..." she murmured, rubbing her eyes as she rolled to the other side of the bed.Her eyes fluttered open only to find Zack's side of the bed cold and unoccupied. He was nowhere to be found.She sighed in disappointment and reached out for her phone on the bedside table."5 a.m. Has he already gone to the office by this hour?" she muttered to herself, exhaling deeply as the memories of the night came flooding in.She rolled her eyes when she recalled what he had said to her before they fell asleep. "He was whispering sweet nothings into my ears last night, promising me he would escort me to the audition... now where is he?" she muttered, tossing off the bedcover.She sat up; the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft hum of the air conditioner. As she scanned the dimly lit room, her gaze lingered on the bedside table, and that's when she saw a folded piece of
"Ethan." Ivy's eyes widened in delight as her gaze locked on his. Ethan was her and Irene's childhood friend; the three of them were inseparable back in the days of kindergarten and Hill School. A wry smile curled up her lips, but then her delight crumpled as her mind slowly began to drift. Memories of the recent betrayal flooded in—how Ethan had chosen Irene's side and had joined in scheming against her. The pain of Ethan's betrayal still lingered; it was like an open wound, a slow and burning ache piercing her heart as her thoughts darkened. A smirk tugged at the corner of Ethan's lips, his gaze still fixed on her. "You don't seem happy to see me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Ivy's lips twisted in a pang of sadness, her gaze fierce and piercing. "Wrong timing, Ethan. I don't have time to catch up with an old friend," she said, clinking the door open and pushing him away. "Ivy, who is he?" Susan, who had been observing her expression, asked as she a
Susan, who had been watching the argument from the sidelines, burst into quiet laughter, the sound rich and exuberant. Her shoulders bounced as her body swayed. Her eyes were fixed keenly on the trio as she watched, eager to see how the influence of Zack's appearance would play out. Zack’s gaze was relentlessly steady on him, his face calm but his eyes flickered with a dangerous aura, as if he was willing to hurt Ethan at any moment. The typical Zack Anderson that many felt intimidated by. Ethan took a few steps backward, clearly intimidated by Zack's imposing demeanor, but still, his face was devoid of fear, his movement coming to a halt. "You came here to threaten my wife? You’ve got guts, boy." Zack said, his tone calm and deadly. Ethan faced Zack’s stern gaze head-on, ignoring the effect of his looming presence. "That wasn't a threat; it was just a friendly piece of advice." He interjected, barely keeping his voice steady. "I thought we agreed we aren't friends anymore."
Ivy nailed the audition; her raw energy and convincing portrayal of the rugged character impressed the judges. As she exited the audition room, she exhaled deeply, her face flushed with excitement. She felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.As she approached Susan, a satisfied smile tugged at her lips, and Susan immediately caught the hint."I know you will rock this. I'm sure there saw no need for a callback," Susan said, flashing her a thumbs-up, her eyes shining with pride. "You owned that audition room, Ivy! I'm so proud of you."Ivy's smile widened, her confidence soaring. "Thanks, Susie."Susan nodded. "Now, let's get out of here." Then she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Remember, your hubby is waiting outside."As they walked out of the audition room, Ivy spotted Zack Lamborghini at the corner of the window, the wind down revealing his warm smile as he beckoned her over.Ivy smiled back, knowing there had to be more than one reason why Zack would pick her u
The air livened with excitement as the esteemed guests gracefully glided through the crimson carpet, making their way to a luxurious celebration within. Tonight, Lux Perfume empire marks the commemorated 50th anniversary, a milestone marking five decades of elegance and sophistication. As all the VIPs stepped into the venue, they were greeted with flashing cameras as reporters eagerly approached them, clamoring for exclusive quotes and photos. Irene and Dave weren't left out; their smiles widened at the cameras, feeling a sense of pride as their hands intertwined. Just then, the velvet curtains parted, and Ivy and Zack emerged, commanding the attention of the entire room. The reporters immediately stepped onto the crimson carpet to welcome the particular esteemed guest. Ivy stunned in a daring red gown, her raven hair cascading down her back as she flashed a captivating smile. Beside her, Zack stood tall in his tailored tuxedo. His piercing gaze swept the room. They had th
Irene's cryptic words etched on Ivy's mind, leaving her wondering what Irene could possibly be up to this time. She figured Irene would never get tired of causing havoc in her life and didn't plan to stop.Taking a sip of her drink, she scanned the crowd and caught Irene mingling with the rest of the guests and Dave. When they locked eyes, Irene didn't smile nor smirk as usual; instead, she averted her gaze.Her feelings of unease still lingered, making her wary of what could erupt at any time since it had become a normal occurrence for unwanted situations to arise out of nowhere.She turned back to the barman, requesting another glass. She decided to focus on the event, successfully brushing off her feelings of unease.Upon noticing the old man had fewer people swooping over him, she sprang from the stool, attempting to grab his attention, but then she began to notice something strange.Some of the guests were sneaking glances at her, immediately looking away when she met their gaze.
As Ivy waited for Zack, she scanned the crowd, sensing the weight of unwanted attention. The guests' furtive glances and hushed whispers fueled her unease. It seemed their gazes were getting more intense with each passing second. Their eyes hovered on her, some filled with curiosity, others with malice; their gazes were like tiny ants crawling on her skin. She felt like a specimen under a microscope, analyzed and judged. She looked away from the crowd, her lips twitching as she fought to contain her emotions. Anger, resentment, and humiliation swirled inside her, threatening to spill over, but she refused to let it slip. She felt a deep sense of vulnerability she hadn't experienced in years ever since she started her career. The feeling of being exposed, naked, and helpless made her chest tighten. Ivy's eyes began to prick with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. She muttered the courage to look again into the crowd, scanning the whole hall in search of the same perso
A black limo drove through the gates of the luxurious Anderson Mansion, pulling up in front of the grand entrance. Inside the limo, Albert shoved his phone into his pocket, his eyes flashing with contained fury as he met Roy's gaze. "Have you seen the news, old man? I told you that woman is bad news for this family..." he said, his voice low but stern. "She is a disgrace." Roy kept his calm expression, his eyes never leaving Albert as he exhaled quietly. "Albert, don't you have a conscience?" he snapped sternly. Albert scoffed, averting his gaze, his leg tapping relentlessly on the floor. "It seem you're not concerned about the potential damage to our name and social standing..." he said, his voice taking a calmer tone, yet his jaw clenched as he awaited his father's response. Roy shook his head, his eyes still fixed on Albert. "I see you don't have one. We are supposed to support her during this difficult time, not shame her." "You know what, Father? I'm glad this happened
"Yeah, I don't see tears on your cheek," Susan said, her voice laced with sarcasm as she gently wiped away the tears streaming down Ivy's face.Ivy's eyes widened in embarrassment, and she quickly looked away, trying to compose herself.Susan's expression softened, and she wrapped her arms around Ivy, pulling her into a warm hug. "It's okay, Ivy. Let it all out. I'm here for you."Ivy's resistance crumbled, and she buried her face in Susan's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. Susan held her close, whispering words of comfort and reassurance as Ivy finally allowed herself to release the emotions she had been bottling up for so long.As Ivy cried, Susan stroked her hair, murmuring softly, "That's it... Don't worry about the time; we have all day."After what felt like an eternity, Ivy's sobs finally subsided, and she pulled back from Susan, her face red and puffy from crying. Susan handed her a tissue, and Ivy blew her nose, feeling a little more composed."I'm sorry," Ivy said, her voic
Susan's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself and hurried around to the driver's side of the car. "Okay, Ivy, let's get out of here," she said softly, starting the engine.Meanwhile, Anna merely stood by, observing as Ivy's car disappeared into the distance. It appeared that her pleasant chat with Ivy would need to be postponed, as it was clear that Ivy had her own issues to address. Anna sighed and shook her head, feeling a pang of concern for Ivy. She had no idea what was going on but made a mental note to reach out to Ivy later and check in on her.As she turned to head back to her own car with her PA, she noticed a figure watching her from across the parking lot. It was a man, and the moment their eyes met, the man turned away and hurried out of the parking lot."I think that's a paparazzo," her PA suddenly spoke up from behind her, having also noticed the man."Or a journalist," Anna remarked. "Either way, we should be careful," Anna continued, her eyes scann
Ivy blinked incredulously as she stared at her father. Was he being serious? "You want me to lie under oath and perjure myself to save Jeremy's skin?" she spat, her voice trembling with rage.Steve's expression remained impassive, as though nothing else mattered to him. "I'm not asking you to lie, Ivy," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I'm asking you to... refrain from testifying for the sake of our family, and I promise I'll make sure that after Jeremy serves just a few years, he will never bother you again."Ivy laughed in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? After everything he has done, you want to manipulate the whole situation and lighten his sentence?"Steve's face darkened, and for a moment, Ivy thought she saw a flicker of anger in his eyes. But then, his expression smoothed out again, and he spoke in a tone that was almost... reasonable."Ivy, listen to me. Jeremy made a mistake, okay? He's sorry for what he did, and he's willing to face the consequences. But if you testi
Susan's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly nodded and signaled to the host that Ivy was ready to continue. Ivy took a deep breath, smoothing out her dress and pasting a bright smile on her face. She was determined to get through this, no matter what.As she walked back onto the stage, the audience applauded again, and Ivy waved, her smile never wavering. The host greeted her warmly and introduced the next segment of the show. Meanwhile, Ivy's eyes scanned the audience, her gaze locking onto her father and aunt, who were still sitting in the front row.Instantly, Ivy's anger and resentment simmered again, but she took a deep breath, determined to keep her cool. She was going to get through this, and she was going to make sure that her father and aunt didn't ruin it for her. They really had guts showing up here; whatever the reason, it didn't seem good.With a newfound sense of determination, Ivy refocused on the show, answering the host's questions with poise and confidence. She
Two days flew by in a whirlwind of preparations for the talk show. Ivy's days were filled with rehearsals, interviews, and wardrobe fittings. Susan was a constant presence, guiding Ivy through the process. Zack, on the other hand, kept a low profile, but Ivy could sense his eyes on her, watching her every move. It was as though he was scrutinizingly waiting for any mishap.As the day of the talk show approached, Ivy's nerves began to fray. She had always been comfortable in the spotlight, but this time felt different. She couldn't shake the feeling that facing an audience was a terrible idea. It wasn't supposed to be the case, but with everything that had happened lately, she needed time to heal. The nightmare and recollection had been haunting her; it worsened, and it was taking a toll on her appearance.Her eyes were always moist from crying late in the night despite her resolve not to shed tears. She couldn't brush off the pain, grief, and guilt that was eating her up.With thought
Zack shot out of bed and made his way to the door. Meanwhile, as Ivy watched him go, she felt a sense of trepidation. Who could be visiting her now?As Zack opened the door, he spoke in a low tone to Xavier. Ivy couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but she could tell that Zack was not happy.After a moment, Zack turned and walked back into the room, his expression grim as he locked eyes with Ivy."It's your manager."*****Meanwhile, Susan had already made herself at home in the living room, sitting on the couch, sipping a glass of water that Xavier had offered her.As Zack entered the room, Susan stood up, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Zack," she said, extending a manicured hand. "It's so good to see you."Zack's expression remained grim, and he ignored Susan's outstretched hand. "What are you doing here, Susan?" he asked bluntly.Susan's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "I came to see Ivy, of course," she said matter-of-factly. "I've been tr
Zack and Ivy exchanged glances, wondering who it could be. But then Ivy began to have a sinking feeling in her stomach. "I can take a rough guess," she said, slumping back on the bed and mouthing, "Judy." Zack's expression hardened, and he quickly got up from the bed and strode out of the room. "Let her in," he instructed Xavier, and Xavier nodded and hastened down the stairs. Zack followed suit. Judy was allowed in shortly meanwhile Zack had already taken a seat in the living room, his expression twisted in annoyance as he locked eyes with her. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice flat, as if bored by her presence. Judy's eyes were soft and gentle, scanning the whole room, expecting to see Ivy, but there was no sign of her. "Where is she?" Judy asked, her voice slightly trembling, her eyes scanning the room again as if hoping to catch a glimpse of Ivy. Zack's expression remained impassive, his arms crossed over his chest. "She's not available to see you right now,"
Zack's arms wrapped tightly around Ivy, holding her close as she sobbed uncontrollably. He knew a storm was raging within her. He had somewhat expected she would feel broken, but this—it was way more than he had anticipated. She wasn't just broken; she was shattered. The pain and anguish that ravaged her face was evident.Zack held her close, trying to absorb some of the pain that seemed to be tearing her apart. The truth behind her emotions seemed to be consuming her.Ivy's sobs slowly began to subside, and she pulled back from Zack, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked up at him, and for a moment, their eyes locked in a silent understanding."Ivy," Zack whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm sorry about your mom. Irene told me everything."Ivy's eyes searched Zack's face for a moment before she wiped her tears. "She did?"Zack nodded and took her hands in his, his eyes locked on hers. "Whatever happened was devastating, and I'm extremely worried about you." He hesitated
Ivy tossed and turned relentlessly in her bed, her eyes fluttering open to a scene that felt all too real. She was standing in her living room, but it wasn't the warm and cozy space she knew. It was cold and tense, with police officers looming over her dad."Mr. Steve, I'm afraid with the evidence we found, we need to take you in for questioning," one of the officers said, his voice firm but polite.Steve's face was pale with shock, his eyes wide with fear. "What evidence?" he demanded, his voice trembling.The officer hesitated, his expression unreadable. "We can't disclose that right now. But we do have enough to arrest you on suspicion of murder."Steve repeated, his voice shaking, "Murder? No... I didn't kill anyone."The officer's expression remained stern. "Steve, please turn around and put your hands behind your back. You're under arrest."Ivy watched in horror as the officers handcuffed her dad and led him away. She tried to scream, but her voice was frozen in her throat.She