Ivy, accompanied by Joan, arrived at the set only to meet director Tim's gloomy face that slowly filled with a trace of slight annoyance."What happened, Director Tim? Is everything alright?"Director Tim heaved, exhaling. She sat down on the sofa and stared at Ivy for a while before replying. "What happened yesterday?"Ivy's face sank with a frown, unable to comprehend the question. "Nothing unusual." It was the best answer she could come up with. She sat beside Director Tim, waiting for him to make himself clear."Isabelle refused to film without an apology from your manager and a young lady that attacked her yesterday. Ah, this is giving me headaches," he said, stroking his forehead. "I hate when my plans for filming are distorted."Seeing the director in his state, Ivy was even more confused. Why would she refuse to film today? According to the schedule, she had a few solo scenes before Isabelle would join her, and then George would appear at the end of the day's filming. What the
*Keep it up, don't forget to update me. You know what I mean.*Joan smiled as she saw the text. She tucked the phone back to her bag and sat comfortably."We are here," Susan announced."Susan, park the car on the other side," Ivy instructed, pulling out a black clothing hung at the top of the passenger seat."What do you plan on doing?" Joan asked, surprised. She thought Ivy was going to barge into the hospital and face Isabelle on her cot."What does it look like I'm doing?" Ivy responded, putting on the clothing.Joan frowned. 'A black zip-up hoodie.' Ivy wore the hood covering her forehead tightly fitted to her face, zipping it until it reached the apex. Ivy refused to make the same mistake of choosing a wrong disguise. Black glasses are a hell of an awkward disguise."I'm sure the reporters are at the front of the building, so you both stay here, I'll be right back," Ivy said and got out of the car. Joan scrunched, "what's with the hoodie?"Susan veered backward, resting her arm
A blurred figure flashed past with full speed, leaving a trail behind for the doctor to catch a glimpse."Who's there?" The doctor came out of the room peeping at either side. But didn't see anyone who could raise suspicion."Did you hear that?" Isabelle asked her PA, who was also about to ask her the same question."I did. 'Say cheese'." Her PA's face sank, weighing the possible explanation for the 'say cheese' she heard."Chloe, I keep telling you to stop roaming about the whole place," the doctor said admonishingly to the sweet, innocent-looking girl resting at the side of the wall. "You should be with Mama, not playing around."Chloe fiddled with her hand, staring at the floor before she raised her head. "I'm sorry, Doctor. I only wanted to have some fun."The doctor sighed; it was a daily occurrence for the little sweetpea to wander every time she visits the hospital to see her mother. "Go now, doctor has work to do.""Okay," Chloe hurriedly left the VIP area in a scamper, flingi
Stephen left the hospital with Director Tim in a rush. Even though his face showed no sign of anger, he was annoyed by the sticky situation he was in. He couldn't understand why Ivy and her manager hadn't provided an explanation for what happened. Director Tim, on the other hand, was uncertain of what Ivy was trying to do by staying silent. She wasn't stepping out to clarify the claim. Initially, he thought she was going to face the media to explain the truth, but it seems that wasn't the case at all.Stephen paused and looked at Director Tim. "What do you think about her claim? Do you think Ivy would do something like that?""I don't know, but what will Ivy or her manager gain by doing this? As for Isabelle, I don't know if she could possibly fake her own assault. We shouldn't draw conclusions yet without solid evidence," Director Tim gave his opinion. Based on what Ivy's manager told him, they did hit her, but it was a form of defense.Stephen didn't say anymore word; there was only
The text already flaunted who the sender was, so she tossed it back to her purse with a scoffing expression, her threat was too insignificant to make her fret. It seems Irene was rejoicing over her present situation, but Ivy was unaware there was more than that.As the trio left the premises, a red car that was closely parked to their car followed behind them. A few minutes later, another car squeaked following their trails.The unresolved fuss about Ivy's animosity towards Isabelle was a hot topic that refused to be replaced by new scandals that surfaced in the entertainment industry. An international star actress was found cheating with her manager at a luxurious hotel by paparazzi. As this scandal was exposed, it caught the attention of the media for a split second. Immediately after that story, they weren't given a break to dwell on it as another piece of information concerning Ivy surfaced from an anonymous source. It claimed Ivy as the real culprit behind Isabelle's attack, prov
The day that Isabelle was discharged from the hospital, reporters visited her at the entrance asking questions about the situation. Isabelle was more than happy to cooperate with them, she looked better than before except for some bruise marks that were still visible on her face."How are you feeling now Isabelle?""Better." She responded with a smile."Why haven't you taken any action yet?""I have my reasons." She gave a short reply."Please allow her to get some rest, I hope the media can be understanding towards her. After she gains full recovery, there would be a press conference to explain everything," Isabelle's manager said as he led Isabelle into the car.Isabelle would like to say more but because of her manager, she refrained. She was enjoying the situation and the attention she was getting while Ivy got slandered by angry netizens.On the other hand, the reporters were restless. They weren't given any update concerning the situation and Ivy refused to make a public appeara
After their argument, Ivy left with Susan and Joan without giving an apology. Isabelle's manager's eyes twitched as he watched them leave stoutly. He huffed and glanced at Isabelle, who was biting her lips trying to suppress her anger."The only way to put her in her place is to find real evidence to prove her guilty."Isabelle nodded subconsciously, her mind trailed off; she desperately wanted her to be replaced. It seems her plan didn't work perfectly; though the media were still on Ivy's tails. If the situation continues to push through, she might get entangled in her own mess."Isabelle, we are leaving for the police station tomorrow," her manager declared."What? No."He frowned. Why was she hesitating to involve the police? "Is there something you aren't telling me?"Isabelle shrugged. "Don't worry, she will get what she deserves.""Then what do you plan on doing?" He asked.To be honest, Isabelle had no idea. The woman isn't a pushover as she imagined her to be. She bit her lip
Joan went outside Ivy's room and typed on her phone.* I have no idea what she is planning to do. Currently, she is waiting for the right time to clarify herself, but I don't know when.*Shortly she received a reply,*When the situation intensifies even more, Ethan will hand you something of use.* Joan frowned, 'Who is Ethan?' Whoever he was, he was definitely an ally. It seems Ivy will be in trouble soon, not that she cared. Shrugging, she returned to Ivy's room.Director Tim asked to see Ivy at the hotel's restaurant. Ivy and Susan went down to the ground floor where she found Tim sitting alone. Ivy thought she would also find Producer Stephen, but she didn't. It seems Stephen was fed up with the film's delay."Why is your face so gloomy, Director Tim?" Ivy asked."You know the reason, stop pretending to be clueless," he spat and averted his eyes.Ivy chuckled. Isabelle really had her way, turning the production crew against her. Even Director Tim was slowly slipping away from her s
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