Her relief lasted only two seconds. As she exited, Ivy looked up and saw two tall bodyguards standing firmly at the door. "Ms. Park, please come back.""I... ""Please come back." The bodyguards pushed her back into the study and closed the door behind her.Ivy took a few steps back, stumbled, and fell to the floor. She tried to get up again but found herself without strength. Cold sweat broke out on her back, one wave after another."The ground is cold and dirty." Aurum walked over, extending his hand toward her. "Come, Ivy, let me help you up."He was so gentle. However, Ivy only felt colder and more afraid of what was to come.After hesitating for a few seconds, she reluctantly placed her hand in his palm. Aurum gently pulled her up from the ground. She bumped into his embrace.However, before Ivy could react, Aurum abruptly grabbed her by the neck."I'm not patient enough to continue this charade with you..." Aurum's true face was fully exposed. "Ivy, I really underestima
She had thought too much. Who knew, Aurum's ruthlessness was far beyond what she could have imagined."Ivy!" Aurum's voice suddenly rang in her ears. "Do you really want to die?"She could not speak and could only nod very lightly...To die would not be so bad. She had not obtained the evidence and instead had let Aurum catch her. Ivy finally understood why Shawn had reminded her to prioritize her safety above all else.It turned out Aurum was truly capable of being ruthless.Shawn had long seen through Aurum's nature, but Ivy had still harbored naive fantasies!However, at this moment, Ivy remembered something. Shawn had given her a distress device to carry with her whenever she was with Aurum.This distress device was connected to Shawn's phone. As soon as Ivy pressed it, Shawn would immediately receive the signal. She still had a chance.Ivy struggled to remember where she had placed the device. All of a sudden, she remembered that it was placed in a hidden pocket on the out
"Ivy, I gave you the distress signal device to use, not to keep as a decoration. Aurum is not worth your sympathy. Any hope you place in him will only lead to utter despair for you!" Shawn muttered to himself.However, the phone remained silent, without any sounds or messages.Ivy had not called for help, and Shawn could not rashly storm into Aurum's home.All he could do was wait.He hoped Ivy could keep herself safe. Revenge was important, but life was even more precious.With a creak, the bathroom door opened. Gale emerged, drying her hair as she walked out."What are you looking at?" She followed Shawn's gaze to the phone. "Are you waiting for someone's call?"He was staring at the phone with such a grave expression, as if something big was about to happen.Shawn denied, naturally walking to her side and taking over the towel to dry her hair, "Nothing. Blow it dry before sleeping, or you'll get a headache."Gale obediently stood in front of him. Due to their height differe
Aurum stood there with his hands behind his back, looking down at her from a high vantage point. "Didn't you want me dead? Why did you suddenly let go?" she asked. "If you die in my house, how am I supposed to explain it to Gale?"Ivy laughed. "In the end, the person you love most has always been her. You've never loved me, not even a little bit."Aurum responded, "What right do you have to be compared to her?"In Aurum's heart, Gale was always unquestionably the first. No one could surpass her. From childhood to adulthood, the person Aurum loved the most was Gale."Fine, I understand." Ivy took a deep breath, slowly recovering, feeling less miserable than before. "If that's the case, then why are you with me?""She wanted me to be with you. So, I did as she wished."Ivy laughed again. Just because Gale wanted it, he did it—such a pathetic love."Aurum, does that mean you would do anything Gale asked? Even if it meant walking through fire or climbing a mountain of blades?"
"My selfless dedication and my efforts were all for paving the way for her and Shawn's relationship. It was like I was made to personally deliver Gale to Shawn! I watched her give birth, watched her raise the child alone, and then watched her return to Shawn with the child! I was a fool!"He could not go on like this. He needed a reward for all his effort.After listening to him, Ivy burst into laughter, tears streaming down her face, her body swaying."Yes, Aurum, you did indeed give a lot to Gale before, selflessly, as long as she was safe and happy. However, you forgot one crucial point!"Aurum frowned deeply. "What point?""At that time, you were engaged to someone else!" Ivy hit the crux of the matter. "You were engaged to Natalie. You knew you could only marry her, so you understood that your efforts for Gale wouldn't result in anything, nor could they. You couldn't have your cake and eat it too!"Even if she had agreed, Gale would never agree to be your mistress!"Oh, Aur
"Just a warning," Aurum replied coldly. "Ivy, you've deceived me, yet you can still stand here unharmed. That's already me showing you mercy.""I deceived you? What about you? What did you do? You handed me over to that filthy man, Paul!" Ivy shot back, her voice trembling with anger. Ivy had pieced together the whole incident, understanding clearly what had happened. She and Gale had been drugged while Aurum and Paul remained sober. Aurum took Gale away, and Paul took her. Would Paul have dared to take her without Aurum's approval?"Does it matter to you?" Aurum suddenly laughed. "Ivy, let me tell you something. I don't care. You were unconscious and unaware; you don't even remember what Paul did to you. When you woke up, it was all over.""You didn't lose your purity, so of course, you can say such heartless things!""I'm just stating facts. Do you know how much I don't care?" Aurum looked at her, his eyes suddenly filled with a strange tenderness. "Ivy, I can marry you."She
All Aurum ever did was hurt and used her, draining her of dignity again and again.Aurum gripped Ivy's shoulders. "Let's stop playing games. Marry me, and we'll fight together."She stared at him blankly. "Fight?""Yes. As long as you keep everything a secret, I can marry you and promise you a lifetime of wealth and glory.""Oh, and, switch sides. From now on, he is our mutual enemy. We are teammates and, more importantly, husband and wife," Aurum added.Ivy finally understood that Aurum wanted to marry her to keep her quiet. He was trying to win her over because she was the one closest to the truth. Aurum was still afraid that Gale would discover his true nature."What if… I won't marry you?" Ivy asked.Aurum laughed and leaned in close to her ear. "Loss the battle, win the war." It was a clear threat."I'll give you five minutes." Aurum stepped back, raising his wrist to look at his watch. "Take some time to think about it."He started the timer. Ivy stood there, stunned.S
"I am willing to marry you."Aurum smiled and asked, "Really?""As long as you legally marry me." Ivy nodded. "The status of Mrs. Lefting is indeed too tempting.""Good that you understand."Aurum burst out into laughter. It was a deep, booming laugh that echoed throughout the room."Come here. It seems you are sensible and a smart person," Aurum beckoned. Ivy walked over as he wished. He reached out, letting her sit on his lap, lifted her chin, and scrutinized her closely."Beautiful, truly beautiful, enough to make a man lose his mind and itch with desire. But alas, tainted. So regrettable," Aurum said.Ivy retorted, "Do you regret that Paul had me first?""A bit. But it's already happened and can't be changed. Let it be."After all, he could not possibly touch Ivy.He truly had not made up his mind about marrying her. It was just an empty promise, not like they required a marriage certificate immediately. The most important thing for now was to keep Ivy calm and appeased