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
Ivy's fake smile grew wider as she fixed her gaze solely on Irene, her eyes blazing with resentment. Honestly, she didn't care if confronting her sister was the right thing to do or not; her frustration had pushed her to the brink of losing control. "Sister?" Roy repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion. He darted his eyes between the two women, astonishment etched on his face. "You two are really sisters?" Irene's expression remained calm, but her eyes flashed with unease. She knew this confrontation was inevitable. With an emotionless gaze, she stared back at Ivy with a subtle smirk on her face. Albert's loud chuckle momentarily snapped all their attention to him. "I knew it since the first day I met both of you, but you denied it... I wonder why..." he said, his expression serious as he intently stared at Ivy. "What are you even doing here?" Dave cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. "Maybe we should give them some space, Father. This seems like a family matter."
With Ivy's adamant decision to visit the Anderson mansion for the purpose of confronting her sister, Zack had no choice but to let her do as she wished. He felt the anger and pain that exuded from her, born from times of her sister's constant betrayal and manipulation, a toxic cycle that had slowly eroded her trust and left emotional scars that still lingered.As Zack watched Ivy's confrontation with Irene, he felt a mix of emotions. Pride swelled within him as he saw Ivy stand up for herself, but concern etched his face. He had never seen Ivy's temper, nor had he seen her so overwhelmed with emotions. The look in her eye was one of fierce determination, her voice trembling with deep-seated hurt, and her entire being radiated a sense of desperation, as if this confrontation was her last stand against the suffocating weight of Irene's manipulation and betrayal.Ivy's words poured out like a torrent, releasing years of pent-up emotions. With a deep breath, Ivy took a step back, her ey
The question hung in the air, thick and heavy. Ivy’s breath hitched as Nadia’s words landed like a direct blow. The anger that had fueled her outburst at the cemetery now mingled with a chilling dread. She looked at Nadia, really looked at her, seeing the raw grief and desperate need for answers reflected in her tear-filled eyes. This wasn't just about her own loss anymore; it was about Nadia's too. "I…" Ivy started, but her voice seemed lost. She wanted to deny it, to protect Nadia from the harsh reality, but the lie wouldn't come. How would she even explain that? She had let her anger take over, and now she had Nadia hearing her accusations. "Answer me. Is it true?" Nadia pressed firmly, her voice trembling... Ivy froze, her eyes wandering over Nadia's face. Her anger was long gone, now replaced by uncertainty. Should she tell her? But there was no proof yet, and she didn't want Nadia to get involved. "Ivy, answer me. 'Cause it seems like an accident to me. Why would you acc
As Ivy's screams echoed through the cemetery, Steve's face turned pale as he had become the center of attention. Ivy's words about him being a killer sent the mourners murmuring, whispering among themselves. Zack continued holding Ivy back, with Irene later stepping in. The fire in Ivy's eyes continued to burn fiercely, something Steve had never seen in her eyes before. This wasn't the same sweet, innocent daughter he used to know; he usually compared her to her mother, but Ivy had proved to be different—a drastic gap that sent his head spinning. He could no longer keep his cool; neither could he stand the scene unfolding, so he silently slipped out of the crowd, casting a brief yet menacing gaze at Ivy. "Ivy, please! Stop!" "You are not thinking clearly..." Zack and Irene's words faded into the background as Steve made his way to his car and slid into it, as though trying to shut himself off from the world. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered inside him. Ivy
The sky was a deep, foreboding gray, as if it too were mourning the loss of Judy. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth as Ivy walked behind the hearse, her eyes fixed on the polished wooden casket adorned with a spray of white lilies, Judy's favorite flowers.As they reached the gravesite, the mourners gathered around, their faces etched with grief and sorrow. But Ivy's eyes were fixed on one person alone, one person she wished she could crush, melt, break, or kill if it wasn't against the law. Steve stood in front of everyone else, his face showing the grief more than anyone else. Many would relate, after all, it's his sister that died, but Ivy saw through that facade. It seemed Steve enjoyed killing; he should start bracing himself for his own death!"Ivy. Ivy! Snap out of it, okay?" Zack called, pulling Ivy from her thoughts. "Don't cause a scene, at least not now."Ivy didn't even realize her face was scrunched like a ball that had been crushed by a hydraulic press. She
Ivy trudged through the front door, feeling emotionally drained. The image of Judy’s lifeless body repeatedly flashed before her eyes as she blinked back the tears that had threatened to fall.She felt like she was drowning, unable to escape the overwhelming ache that had settled in her chest. It stung so much that she could hardly breathe. With a shaking hand, she reached for the sofa, collapsing into it, craving the comfort that it should offer, but it never came. All she felt was numbness that refused to go away. The pain of losing a loved one... it was so familiar, so daunting, bringing back old painful memories. Judy was gone just like that? Now she was nothing more than a memory, one she wished she could bring to life once again. Tears flowed down her cheeks, having lost the will to fight them.She took a deep breath and pulled out her phone to call Zack, the one she could lean on.Zack picked up on the first ring, his voice sweet and casual. "Hey, how are you?"Ivy sniffled, tr
The courtroom erupted into chaos, and Steve's face turned beet red with anger and frustration. He abruptly stood up and stormed out of the room. Ivy watched him go, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her. She felt a sense of vindication, knowing that Jeremy had been found guilty, sooner Steve will be next.Ivy pushed the thought aside and turned to Zack, a smile spreading across her face. "We did it," she whispered, her eyes shining with tears. Zack grinned back, pulling her into a tight hug. As they hugged, Ivy's mind began to wander to Judy. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The call from the hospital had seemed so urgent, so real. What if it wasn't a ruse? What if Judy was hurt? Ivy's smile faltered, and she pulled back from Zack. "I need to go to the hospital," she said and Zack's expression changed from celebratory to concerned. "What's wrong?" Ivy hesitated. "I don't know if the call from the hospital was real or not. But I need to check. What if Jud
The courtroom was packed as Ivy and Zack took their seats behind the prosecutor's table. Steve arrived shortly and sat across from her, his eyes cold and calculating. Ivy's heart raced as she avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the prosecutor, who was shuffling through his notes.The judge, a stern-looking woman, entered the courtroom, and the bailiff called the room to order."This court is now in session," the judge declared, her voice firm and commanding. "The case before us today is the state versus Jeremy Hale. Mr. Prosecutor, you may proceed with your opening statement."The prosecutor, a tall, imposing man with a confident smile, stood up, surveying the courtroom before beginning his statement."Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the case before us today is a heinous crime. A young woman's life was almost cut short due to the reckless actions of the defendant, Jeremy Hale. We will present evidence that shows his actions were not only negligent but also intentional."Ivy felt a
The ride to the court felt like an eternity; it was as though the car was moving at a slow pace, which wasn't the case at all. Ivy let out a big gush of air, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She was determined to see justice served, but the news about her aunt's accident weighed heavily on her heart.She glanced at Zack, who was seated beside her, his expression a mask of calm determination."Hey, you okay?" Zack asked, noticing her gaze.Ivy nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit nervous."Zack's eyes narrowed slightly. "I can tell by the way you're playing with your nails."Ivy's expression faltered for a moment as she stared at her hand and realized she had indeed been fidgeting with her nails. She dropped her hand, feeling a slight flush rise to her cheeks. "I guess I am a bit more nervous than I thought," she admitted, trying to laugh it off.Zack smiled reassuringly and took her hand in his. "It's okay to be nervous, Ivy. This is a big day. But you're prepare
Ivy stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her blazer for what felt like the hundredth time. She took a deep breath, exhaled deeply, and nodded to herself. Today was the day she'd finally face Jeremy in court and put him to justice.The door creaked open, and she turned around to find Zack dressed in a crisp, navy-blue suit, his tie perfectly knotted. He caught her eye and smiled, his expression confident."You okay?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close."Yeah, I am..." Ivy responded, her voice low but laced with steel. "I'm ready."Zack smiled softly, spun her around, and enveloped her in a reassuring hug. "You're going to do great."Ivy's warm smile faltered as she leaned into the comfort of his shoulders. The silence between them was soothing, filled with the gentle sound of his breathing. But the shrill ringtone of her phone pierced the calm, jolting her upright.She pulled away, her eyes locking onto the screen as she hesitated. The number was unkn
Ivy sat on the edge of the bed as Dr. Harrison examined her. Meanwhile, Zack watched anxiously from the corner of the room, his heart pounding in his chest. "Well, let's see," Dr. Harrison said, his brow furrowed as he checked Ivy's vitals. "Your blood pressure seems a bit low, and you're a bit pale. Have you been experiencing any other symptoms?" Ivy shook her head. "Just nausea and this… this bleeding from my nose." Dr. Harrison nodded thoughtfully. "And when was your last period?" Ivy hesitated, suddenly remembering she hadn't really considered that. "I… I'm not sure. Maybe a week ago?" Dr. Harrison's eyes widened slightly. "Mr. Anderson, I think we should run some tests. Just to be sure." Zack's heart sank. "What kind of tests?" Dr. Harrison hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Well, given Ivy's symptoms and the missed period, I'd like to rule out a few possibilities. We'll need to do a blood test and a pregnancy test." Ivy's eyes widened in disbelief. "A pre