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
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
ONE WEEK BEFORE THE TRIAL The blanket stirred, ripping like a wave, as Zack and Ivy's bodies moved in sync. Their lips were pressed tightly together, their breath mingling in the quiet room. Ivy had her hand wrapped around Zack's neck, deepening the kiss. Her soft moans filled the room. But just as they were getting lost in the moment, the shrill ring of Ivy's phone shattered the intimacy. Ivy pulled away, reaching for her phone on the bedside table, but when she saw who the caller was, she cut the call and let out a frustrated sigh. “Judy again, isn’t it?” Zack asked, irritation creeping into his voice. Ivy nodded and slumped back on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Judy had been blowing up her phone nonstop, sending her a barrage of texts and voicemails. It had become increasingly annoying by the day, and Ivy felt like just meeting with her and giving her a piece of her mind. On the other hand, she didn’t feel like it, as she knew Judy wouldn’t stop apologizing. “I
FEW DAYS LATERIvy sat in the therapist's office, fidgeting with her hands as she tried to process the events of the past few weeks. Firstly, discovering her father was alive, then his repulsion, then the truth behind her mother's death. She sighed. It was all too overwhelming—Zack was right, she needed help if she wanted to dive into the road of vengeance. She had to be emotionally stable to handle the heat. That's why she had agreed to visit a therapist, as the nightmares were becoming unbearable. Ivy couldn't shake off the feeling of helplessness that had consumed her for so long.Dr. Thompson, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, took a seat across from her with a warm smile on her face."Welcome, Mrs. Anderson," she greeted, and Ivy returned the smile, forcing her lips to curl up.She looked up at Dr. Thompson, who was watching her with a compassionate gaze, and she asked, feeling a sense of desperation wash over her, "Where do I even start?"Dr. Thompson leaned forward, her eye
"Ivy, Ivy," Zack called softly, standing at the door to their bedroom. Ivy had locked herself in again and refused to answer.It made Zack wonder if he had been too pushy, too insensitive. He knew Ivy was strong and capable, but he also knew that she was still vulnerable, still hurting from her past. And it was like a thorn to his heart to see her suffering.He hoped that she would forgive him, that she would understand that he was only trying to help. But as the minutes ticked by, Zack couldn't shake the feeling that he had made a mistake—one that might take some time to repair."I'm sorry, Ivy," he whispered. "I promise to listen to you, to understand you. Please, just let me in."Zack paused, hoping that Ivy would respond, but there was only silence. He sighed, feeling a pang of regret and worry. He didn't want to lose Ivy, not even for a moment. He wanted to be there for her, to hold her, to comfort her.He tried again, his voice softer, more gentle. "Ivy, please. Don't shut me ou
Once the kitchen was spotless, Ivy and Zack got to work cooking up a storm together. They chatted and joked, with Ivy doing most of the work, supervising Zack on what to do."I'll start chopping the veggies," Ivy said, picking up a knife and heading to the cutting board."What do you need me to chop?" Zack asked, standing beside her."Can you chop the bell peppers and onions?" Ivy replied, starting to chop some broccoli.Zack nodded, taking the knife from Ivy and beginning to chop the bell peppers and onions. The sound of sizzling vegetables and the aroma of stir-fry filled the air as they worked together.As they chopped and cooked, Ivy felt a sense of calm wash over her. This was what she needed – a normal, quiet evening with her husband, away from the drama and stress of her family's secrets. She wished every day could be like this, problem-free.But as they cooked, she couldn't help but think about her conversation with Irene earlier that day. She knew she had to tell Zack about i
Upon hearing Irene, Ivy recall what she had gone through a few months ago with Jake's situation. The danger, fear, and anxiety all came flooding back. Her eyes glazed over as she stared blankly into space. Was she ready to face that kind of situation again? It seemed her father's cruelty was beyond her imagination. "Having second thoughts?" Irene's voice cut through the fog, snapping her back to reality. "It would be better if we don't do anything rash, at least not now." Ivy shook her head in disapproval. She refused to sit back and do nothing while he had threatened her about Jeremy's trial. Upon drifting to this thought, she tugged on Irene's sleeve and forced her to sit back down. Irene didn't resist Ivy's pull but sighed in frustration. "We can't just sit back and do nothing, Irene," Ivy continued. "He's threatening me with Jeremy's case." Irene's brow furrowed in confusion. "Jeremy's case as in—wait." She paused, her eyes widened in shock. "Jeremy is back!" Ivy nodded a
Ivy refused to sit back and let things unfold before her eyes. Though she hadn't recovered from the trauma of her past, she had to take action.Ivy concealed her plan from Zack and her decision to investigate on her own. She needed Zack, but there were actions to be taken without Zack's help.So, the next day as Zack left the office, Ivy put on a brave face, not wanting to arouse any suspicion and also to avoid the retort of a therapist. She waited until Zack was out of sight, and with a sense of purpose and trepidation, Ivy dialed Irene's number.The line went through, and Irene's voice sounded with a hint of irritation."What do you want now?"Ivy ignored Irene's icy tone and got to her point."Let's meet up at the French bistro," she said flatly, leaving no room for protest.Irene chuckled at Ivy's slightly commanding tone, intrigued by whatever reason Ivy might have."What do you want?" Irene repeated, exasperation creeping into her voice."I'd rather discuss that in person, and I
As Zack swept her into their bedroom, Ivy's heart skipped a beat, racing with anticipation. She felt the wall against her back as Zack's strong hands pinned her in place."Late noon sex won't be so bad after all," Ivy teased as she felt Zack's hands cradle her hips, lifting her higher, his fingers digging gently into her skin.Ivy was breathless as her body was pressed closer to Zack's, their faces merely inches apart. The movement sent a thrill through her, and she felt her body responding at all turns."I'm glad you like the ideas," Zack finally spoke, a soft whisper in her ears, as he held her suspended, her hips at his mercy.Ivy's lips parted slightly, her body leaning into him. Her heart throbbed. Instinctively, she found her hand already wrapping around Zack's neck, pulling him close.She knew she should probably pull back, as it wasn't their usual position, but she couldn't help herself. She was drawn to Zack, and she didn't realize it at first, but she needed him right now. H
"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