Meanwhile, Irene was exiting an upscale restaurant. Her hair was tied up in a bun, her dimples were clearly visible on her cheeks as a faint smile played on her lips. She wore a red turtleneck gown that fully accentuated her figure, plump chest, and slightly curvy hips. Her face gleamed with confidence as she approached the Maybach parked ahead. Ethan was by her side, decked in a tailored suit which made him look smart and stylish. He elegantly opened the door to the back seat for her with a smile on his face. "Gosh, you look so much like her, even the figure looks the same," he said in a whisper as they got into the back seat. "The resemblance is too frightening; those sets of exercises really paid off." Irene smiled, observing her face in a mirror she took out of her purse. "Debbie's skills seem to be improving with each passing day." "Yeah, it's so hard to tell the difference between you and Ivy," Kate, who was seated in the back seat, chimed in as she stared at the pleased look
Ivy stared at Zack in deep thought, weighing the validity of his assumption. Was it really a random accident? If it was, then what was the culprit's true intentions?She realized the answers to those scary thoughts, whoever it was, that person was trying to hurt her, perhaps worse."Do you think it was Isabelle, she is in prison.....""I don't know if she has contact outside prison, but all I know is you need extra security until this mastermind behind your abduction is apprehended." Zack replied, sitting up on the bed. His expression turned serious as he stared deeply at her."Ivy, I don't want you worrying too much about this. Whoever that person might be, I won't let him hurt you. I'll do everything in my power to ensure your safety."Ivy nodded absentmindedly, still dwelling on the possibility of Jake Black being behind her abduction. Just as the detective said, maybe Isabelle was the accomplice, maybe someone else was also involved in her abduction."I just said you shouldn't wor
The day Ivy would be returning to set came. She didn't know what plans Zack had concerning her accommodation; he didn't state if she would have to travel back and forth or stay at the same hotel. For her, it would be tiring to journey to and fro the set, and as for staying at the hotel, she was sure Zack wouldn't like that since he was worried about her safety. He mentioned he would hire several bodyguards to give her protection. She still hadn't figured out how she would cope with that but there was nothing she could do to change his mind. When she woke up, there was no sign of Zack. She figured he must have left early for work as he had skipped many days due to the abduction incident. She was escorted by Xavier to the parking courtyard, behold there were tons of people waiting for her there. She sighed, not bothered counting their numbers, reminding herself her hubby was just doing all of this for her safety as he stated her safety was what matters. She smiled as she saw Detect
After the three-hour drive, they finally arrived at the set."We're here, ma'am..." Louis informed Ivy, as her mind was distracted. He got out and opened the door for her. When she came out, she glanced at the car parked behind them, the one which had the security professionals in it. She hoped she wouldn't have to deal with media about that subject if they noticed another car was following closely behind her everywhere she goes, especially now that they are probably on the set waiting for her.While the film set gets ready to bustle with activities for the day, the reporters mingled with the crew, trying to gather more information about the Ivy scandal and the crew members' individual thoughts towards Ivy's professionalism.They approached the less busy ones, firing questions at them."Where is the lead actress today, hasn't she returned for her shoot?""Is it true she has been sick for the past few days?"The crew members brushed them off, offering vague statements or "no comments."
Filming was wrapped up for the day, and Ivy was taking a short break before she would retire home. She had no idea where Zack had ordered Louis to take her for the night, nor had she received any message from him since morning.After changing back into her clothes, Joan passed her a bottle of water as usual, but this time Ivy was hesitant to drink it. She remembered how she felt after drinking one from the set the other day."Aren't you thirsty?" Joan asked after noticing her hesitation.Before Ivy could reply, another bottle of water was passed to her by one of the bodyguards she didn't realize was standing behind her. "Here ma'am."Joan's gaze shifted to the man who appeared out of nowhere, giving Ivy a bottle of water. This was a repetition of what Edmond did back then, and now it was being done by someone she didn't recognize.Ivy took the bottle without hesitating, which caused a frown to settle on Joan's face. "But...I..."Ivy didn't let her finish speaking before she interrupte
The door clicked open, and Bryan stepped in with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry to disturb you, sir, Madam."Zack messaged his temple, feeling a bit irritated for disrupting the moment. He gestured, allowing him in. "Did the detective call? Is that why you returned?""Yes." Bryan replied. Ivy had settled on one of the plush sofas; her initial fervor was gradually giving way to a sense of tranquility but it swung when she observed the look on Bryan's face. She could only hope whatever news he got from the detective would be good.The two men sank into the sofa, Zack sitting beside, while Bryan sat opposite them.Zack's expression turned serious as he struck up the main discussion. "What is it? Is it related to the unpleasant news you told me earlier today?""Yes, it is related, and it's terrible news." Bryan responded.Ivy furrowed her eyebrow as his words triggered her curiosity. "What happened, have they found the perpetrator?"The look on Bryan's face said otherwise. He shook
Ivy knew where he was getting at; it seemed he never got tired of teasing her. She rose to her feet to walk away but was quickly stopped by Zack."Fine, I won't tease you again. Just sit."She sat down, avoiding eye contact with him as she didn't want to get stuck in his gaze like earlier before Bryan interrupted."I suggested the hug because I thought you were scared." Zack explained, his voice laced with concern as he stared at her deeply. He very much wanted to comfort her in any way he could.Ivy gave a wry smile. "I am a bit worried but I'm not afraid because whosoever they are, they won't succeed in hurting me."Zack affirmed but also amused by her optimism and confidence. It drove him to confess his thoughts to her. "I've always admired your bravery and resilience."Ivy's smile widened, pleased by his accolade, prompting her to also make her own confession. "And I'm happy I have someone to rely on; you are very dependable."A smile etched his face; he usually frowned at complim
The couple dived into the night vibe, the balmy atmosphere enveloping them in a sense of tranquility even though there were looming awaiting that might pop in a sudden strike. They descended to the ground floor and drove out of the garage with the security team following closely behind them.The minute after their departure a vehicle stopped at the premises. The driver's eyes were solely fixed on the rearview mirror, earnestly monitoring their movement till they went out of sight.At that moment, His phone rang. "Is it done yet?" The caller inquired, His voice laced with urgency."Not yet, there is a slight glitch; she has got bodyguards following her around, trying to make it unnoticeable, but I saw through the subtle movement."The man replied, his eyes pinned on the grand penthouse a few distances away.There was a short pause before the caller continued. A sigh could be heard through the phone. "As I predicted, Zack Anderson is becoming a pain in my ass.""We should get rid of hi
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