Seeing the police leading Ivy for interrogations, the reporters' speculations were aroused. Though Isabelle claimed Ivy was the one behind the attack, she never took any action regarding the assault. But all of a sudden, another assault case sprang up, one that was more serious to the extent of her being bedridden for many days, unlike the first attack that she only stayed for two days. And all the claims pointed at the same person. The matter got them interested to know why would Ivy Hale, currently known as Mrs. Ivy Anderson, do something as outrageous as that.Bully a fellow actress? For what reasons? She could easily climb up the ranks with her fame, even though she took a hiatus from the industry. Her comeback sprouted the netizens, so why would she try to hurt Isabelle, who was just playing the role of a supporting character, whereas she was the main lead?With the media guiding the netizens' path, they dwelled on the assumptions that Ivy might be the culprit. Since there was no
"Mrs. Anderson is here.""Why did she come here?""Mrs. Anderson."The reporters were getting more excited at her dramatic entrance, it reminded them of the same way she appeared at the press conference for 'Wedding Catastrophe' to show them that there were two Ivy Hales. It turns out, she was the real one after all. And now, it seems she appeared for what exactly, they were not sure if her statement will help prove that she is not the culprit.Ivy walked forward in her black dress, her heels collided with every step, sending a creepy feeling to the one seated in a wheelchair at the opposite direction. This time there was no smile plastered on her face; instead, it was filled with an emotionless gaze peering at all the individuals that were blemishing her hard-earned reputation. She stopped in front of the crowd of reporters without saying anything.Isabelle manager's face was tinted red with anger, such audacity to show up at the press conference that wasn't organized by her! The onl
"What is the producer doing here?" "Director Tim." "Are you here to publicly replace them?" "Who will you replace among the both of them?" Director Tim's face was plastered with burning fury, but it was not on par with Stephen's. Stephen felt like crashing Isabelle's head on her wheelchair - only then will he call it an assault. "Producer Stephen, are you here to publicly announce a replacement?" Stephen brushed off the reporter and walked up to Isabelle, "How are you feeling now, Isabelle?" Isabelle's mind was in turmoil; she couldn't understand what was going on. The producer's face carried many traces of emotions that couldn't be ascertained. "I'm... I'm..." She was uncertain of how to answer. Stephen replaced his gaze with a profound look that made Isabelle slightly shiver... "Producer Stephen... did I... offend you?" Stephen hissed then turned to Ivy. "Please continue." Ivy smiled in response. "We are all aware I was called for questioning. The footage the polic
"How come the number is saved on your contact list? Give an explanation for that," one of the reporters queried.Isabelle, seeing the reporters slowly drifting from her side, began to panic. "That can't prove anything... I don't... I don't know him... I swear."The officer didn't say anything but took her phone and dialed Desmond's number. Immediately, Desmond's phone, presently in the hands of the officer, rang. The officer gave her a stern look. "How would you explain that?"The reporters were in an uproar."So she faked her attack.""Is she a normal human being?""See how far she went just to destroy another.""She is so despicable."Ivy smirked. The reporters hadn't seen what she really had for them yet; they were already criticizing her.Ethan was dumbfounded. He had made arrangements with Joan to put Desmond's number on Ivy's phone, or did she put it on Isabelle's phone instead. Did she betray them? The moment he thought of this, he received a text.*I swear I added the man's nu
Ivy, followed by Joan, Susan, Stephen, and director Tim, left the hall. "Ivy," Stephen called her. "I'm sorry for not believing you.""You don't have to apologize, producer Stephen," Ivy replied with a slight smile."No, I have to apologize, I already decided to replace you if not for director Tim," Stephen said."Ivy, I mean Mrs. Anderson, can I talk to you? Please." A feminine voice interrupted their conversation. Ivy turned to see who it was. Seeing Isabelle's PA outside the hall, Ivy chuckled. "You left her too. You shouldn't have; now who is going to assist her."Isabelle's PA sighed; she knew Ivy was right, but she came outside to clarify some things with Ivy. "No offense, Mrs. Anderson, you are too ruthless. Why do you have to push her to the edge? You could have just refuted earlier, not when the situation has escalated to this extent.""Can you hear yourself?" Ivy spat. "You were there when she pulled my manager's hair, and you were aware when she was planning to frame me for
Irene was done for the day of filming, so when she returned to her room, Ethan was already waiting for her. "Things slipped; it didn't go as planned." Irene stared blankly at him before sitting beside him. "If it didn't go as planned, it doesn't mean it wouldn't go as planned some other time, and that time is very close." Ethan frowned. Irene was sometimes unpredictable; he expected her to yell or for her to have a sour face, but instead, she wasn't bothered. "Is there something you aren't telling me?" "Isabelle is a very foolish person, so I didn't expect her to help me ruin Ivy." Upon hearing her, he immediately understood she must have butted in. "Ethan, you aren't smart enough. Next time, watch out for Zack Anderson; he is very unpredictable. Ivy, on the other hand, that girl is something else." Mentioning her sister's name, her face scrunched up. Her sister had changed; it wasn't a slight change, and it was annoying her more. "How did Desmond's number..." "About that
The two women were staring deeply into each other's eyes trying to find any hidden trace of hostility masked with a facade. "Nice to meet you too. I've heard a lot about you," Anna said, still holding onto Ivy's hand. "Same," Ivy responded, retaining her smile. "You came too early," Director Tim interrupted their intros, "You will have to wait until the evening before you film your part." "I came early to get familiar with the rest of the cast and crew, before I begin," Anna replied. Director Tim had no time to idle around, so he went back to work with Ivy. But before then, some of the rest of the crew asked for Anna's autograph, and she willingly signed them with a friendly smile. Looking at the way certain individuals were hovering around her, it made it seem like she was the lead character, whereas Ivy appeared small before her. Some of the crew even started to gossip. "I wonder why Anna wasn't considered to be the lead character." "Yes, what's so special about the outdate
Joan's face twitched in annoyance, "Are you trying to tell me I am invisible?" "Slightly," Edmond glacially responded. Susan and Ivy were silently watching their tussle; they found it entertaining, especially Joan's facial expression. They hadn't seen this side of her before. Joan couldn't ignore how he constantly tried to rip her off her duty. "You've been irritating me since this morning. I am her personal assistant, not you. Stick to your job." "Oh, so you are her personal assistant? Then I am her bodyguard. And I am sticking to my job." Joan turned speechless, then it occurred to her. 'Did he know the water was drugged?' Her heart thudded, 'If he knows...' then he was really sticking to his job. "Guys, you shouldn't fight over me," Ivy tried to calm the tension between them. Joan admitted defeat, "Forget what I said to you. That was mean." She retracted the bottle of water. "You can have his, I don't mind." Ivy snorted at Joan's response. "Joan, what's the big deal?"
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