Just as it seemed the argument would escalate further, Donna rushed down the stairs with Roy's medicine, which caught the attention of everyone in the room. The sound of her foot against the staircase made them avert their eyes in her direction, momentarily distracting them. The room felt silent, with everyone's faces flushed with anger, her eyes still fixed on their opponents, fighting the urge to continue the argument. Upon realizing that their tussle has triggered the old man's health,they backed away, tossing last words and warnings, with Dave being the first to retreat. "You're going to regret slapping my wife, Ivy," he hissed, his fierce gaze boring into Ivy. "I don't think so," she shot back, a smirk curling up her lips. "I am beginning to enjoy this. If I had known retaliating was this pleasant, I would have dealt with you and your wife a long time ago." Dave's lips twitched as he slowly stepped back, finally returning to Irene's side. "You'll pay for your insolence, Iv
Ivy gasped in disbelief, her face twisted in a scowl. "But it was barely four hours since the video went viral. This is ridiculous." "It's absolutely ludicrous!" Susan exclaimed, letting out a sharp, exasperated sigh. "I just got the director's annoyingly insincere apology in my email a few minutes ago. I'm convinced Chadwick is behind this mess – again. He's using his influence to jeopardize everything and shift the spotlight onto you. And to add insult to injury, he released a statement 'protecting' your replica reputation, effectively throwing you under the bus." Susan's voice dripped with disdain as she continued, "Omega Entertainment is becoming a pain in the ass. Their corporate gamesmanship is suffocating. I swear, it's like they're deliberately trying to strangle you." After letting Susan rant out her frustration, Ivy let out a low chuckle, a bitter smile spreading on her face. "No, Susan, Omega Entertainment is not the enemy here. The real pain in the ass is my sister," sh
Under the soothing coolness of the night breeze, Kate's feet dragged across the pavement, each step heavy with the weight of her sorrow. Tears brimmed in her eyes as the doctor's devastating words echoed in her mind that left her heart shattered. "Your mother's health has deteriorated; she won't last much longer unless you act quickly. We need funds to continue with her treatment." "What do you mean by 'need funds'?" she snapped, her voice laced with confusion. "There is a particular amount being sent to the hospital every month for her treatment, so what are you saying?" She had rushed down to the hospital upon receiving a message that her mother was in very critical condition, only to be met with a shocking revelation. "Her treatment has been put on hold since two months ago," the doctor had replied, sounding oblivious to the fact that Irene had promised her that her mother's treatment was being taken care of. Kate's mind reeled as the doctor's words replayed again like a cruel
Ivy agreed to meet Kate at a quaint café the next morning, intrigued by the desperation in Kate's voice. Though her skepticism lingered, Ivy detected a hint of genuineness she couldn't ignore. She hadn't fully bought into Kate's sudden change of heart; Irene and Kate's friendship had been unbreakable for centuries. Yet, Ivy's curiosity was piqued. What had driven Kate to betray Irene? Ivy couldn't quite grasp the reason; her mind continued racing with possibilities. As she settled into bed, her thoughts swirled with questions: "Is Kate truly willing to take down Irene, or is this another twisted game?" "What secrets has Kate uncovered, and at what cost?" The meeting would reveal more, but Ivy's instincts whispered that Kate's defection was more complex than met the eye. Ivy donned a black hoodie and sunglasses, disguising herself from the paparazzi and avoiding unwanted attention since the news of her leaked photos and video was still viral. She arrived at the café early, choo
Ivy's eyes widened at the shocking information. Joan is working for Irene? It can't be! How come i never suspected anything? "Is what you're saying true?" Ivy asked, her eyes fixed on Kate as if searching for any sign of deception, her voice laced with incredulity and a hint of vulnerability. "I mean, how is that possible? She's been by my side all this time." Kate's expression turned somber. "Irene has a way of manipulating people, Ivy. She's been using Joan to feed her information. Joan and I used to meet while you were filming 'Tomboy Donna.'" Ivy's gaze dropped, her mind racing with memories of Joan's dedication and supposed loyalty. "What proof do you have?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Kate didn't immediately respond but instead pulled out her phone from her bag. "Message recordings. Irene's been paying Joan to spy on you, like I said." Ivy's eyes scanned the messages, her heart sinking with each passing sentence. Ethan's words, seemingly innocuous, now
As Ivy pulled out of her parking spot, a black Lamborghini pulled up at the entrance. "So, where are you going with this?" a low, smooth voice asked from the driver's seat. Beside him sat a tall, imposing figure with sunglasses, watching Ivy with an air of curiosity. A sly smile spread across his face, his lips curling upward as he rested his elbow on the window. "Definitely going somewhere..." he finally replied, his gaze still fixed on the fading taillights of Ivy's car. Then his phone vibrated in his pocket. Taking out his phone, he chuckled as his eyes scanned the message he received. "Are we just going to keep watching from a distance without doing anything?" the driver asked again, curiosity etched on his face as he locked eyes with the man beside him. The man's eyes flicked to the driver, a hint of amusement present. "I am a very patient man," he said, his voice low and smooth. "We're just getting started." "Started with what?" The driver raised an eyebrow, his curiosi
Zack's question made Ivy's brow furrow, her eyes clouding with confusion. She was taken aback, her words faltering."It...can't be..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't remember... any time..."Her sentence hung in the air, unfinished, as her mind wandered into the depths of her memories. Her gaze drifted, lost in thought.Yet she couldn't piece together any fragment of her memories related to his question."Zack, why would you ask that?" Ivy's voice was laced with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "I've been investigating, and I found out that the photos weren't fabricated," he said before adding, "They were real. He took your nude photos."Ivy's frown deepened. "What?"Zack's pause was palpable, as if weighing his next words carefully. "It seems... they had it for a long time."Ivy's eyes widened as her mind raced with implications. "But why did they use it now?" she asked, her voice higher than intended. "Irene had been desperately seeking a way to ruin my c
As Ivy stood at the kitchen counter, she decided to make the most of the leisurely evening in the kitchen. She had tried shaking off the earlier conversation with Dave, taking her mind elsewhere to avoid letting her anger get the best of her. As she reached for a spice, Zack stealthily slipped into the kitchen, his footsteps silent on the tile floor. Without warning, he glided behind her, his hands wrapping around her waist in a gentle, possessive grasp. "Hello, wifey," Zack whispered, his breath brushing against her ear. "Something smells amazing in here." Ivy's hands stilled as her body stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden proximity. "Zack! You scared me." She breathed a sigh, her eyes sparkling in surprise. Zack's chuckle vibrated against her ear as his grip tightened on her waist. "That's the idea," he whispered, his lips grazing her earlobe. Ivy's tension dissipated, replaced by a warm flutter in her chest. She leaned into his embrace, feeling the stress of the d
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
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