"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
"Fine. Go ahead, let me die by your hand! You're truly a coward, too weak to even admit your own failures. So what if you didn't get Gale? Is that really such a disgrace to you?" she said."Shut up!""I insist on speaking!"Only by getting Aurum to admit the truth himself would Ivy have a strong piece of evidence. She had to force him to confess tonight.Ivy laughed coldly. "You want to win me over but won't say a single honest thing. Aurum, do you really think this will make me loyal and devoted to you?""Why are you so interested in whether I touched Gale or not?"Ivy gritted her teeth and answered, "Because I want to know if I'm the only one who was defiled! Was I the only one who suffered this humiliation? Is Gale still pure?""If she is, then I'm the biggest victim. Clearly, you were targeting her, yet I became the sacrificial lamb!""If she's not pure, then why should she get everything? She's been with you, and Shawn still loves and cherishes her. Why?"Ivy's face was f
Ivy bit her lip. "Are we not filming the movie anymore?""We can shoot other scenes first and film yours later!""Aurum!"Ivy chased after him, trying to prevent him from closing the door. She did not want to be trapped in his house. She grabbed the doorknob, pulling with all her might. "I've listened to you, isn't that enough? If you're not reassured, you can have someone monitor me 24/7!""Of course, I'll monitor you and control your every move in the future, but that's for later. Right now, you must stay here!"With a loud bang, the door was shut. Ivy desperately shook the doorknob, but it was useless. She was being kept in the study by Aurum.The study was a place full of secrets, company documents, files, contracts, so it was heavily monitored. Several surveillance cameras were watching her every move.The windows were sealed tight, leaving no escape. She could only stay here."What to do, what to do. I can't stay trapped here... who knows what other methods Aurum will use
Ivy began pressing the button repeatedly, over and over, but the alarm device remained silent. The button must have run out of power.Despair washed over Ivy. Her momentary hope was crushed. What now? Should she resign herself to fate?Shawn would realize something was wrong when he noticed she had not gone to the set, had no schedules, and had stayed at the Lefting mansion all this time, right? He would come to rescue her, would he not?Ivy resolved to protect the listening device at all costs and get it to Shawn. It was evidence—proof of Aurum's crimes.It was a normal day at Wood Group. Shawn walked into the company with Gale by his side."Good morning, Mr. Wood. Good morning, Mrs. Wood," employees greeted them as they passed by."Shawn, I can go to the jewelry department by myself. You don't have to personally escort me to my desk," Gale said."What's wrong?""Nothing. I can handle it on my own. Even Joshua and Nicole manage to go to kindergarten by themselves. There's a si
Shawn sat in the back seat, raising his hand to rub his temples. This time, he did not bring Fiona to the hospital and had the driver wait at the entrance while he went in alone."Mr. Wood, is your throat still bothering you?" the doctor greeted him politely."Yes, I've been coughing up blood.""Has the medication not been effective?"Shawn replied, "The coughing is less frequent, and my throat isn't as itchy, but there are still symptoms."The doctor thought for a moment. "Shall we continue with the medication? Your condition can't be rushed; it needs slow, careful treatment. With the weather cooling down, it's easy to feel unwell and develop bronchitis."Shawn's expression was indifferent. "I can continue with the medication, but I want to do more tests.""Weren't the tests already done last time...""Do them again. And send the results abroad for diagnosis by respiratory specialists," Shawn insisted.The doctor nodded. "Alright, I can arrange that, but sending them abroad w
"There will be more in the future," Aurum said with a smile."There won't be a next time. I won't let you get away with this forever," Shawn retorted.Aurum shrugged. "You're talking like I've committed some heinous crime."Shawn could not be bothered to argue with Aurum. He had no interest in bickering. Men were confident in their own strength and power. In Shawn's mind, Aurum was always his defeated opponent and would remain so, never able to stir up trouble or take Gale from him.Shawn stepped forward, got into his car, and drove off. Through the rearview mirror, he saw Aurum staring at him."Heh," Shawn sneered, curling his lips. He would soon tear that deceitful mask off Aurum's face.As Shawn's car disappeared from view, Aurum's smile faded. Something was not right. Why would Shawn come to the hospital alone, without bodyguards or assistants? Given his status, he was always surrounded by people, especially in a place as specific as a hospital. Unless there was something Sha
Fiona could not quite grasp what was going on with Shawn and could only nod. "Well, I'll leave now. Let me know if you need anything."She quickly left.Shawn leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.He could not afford to lose his composure. He was confident that his health would not have any major issues, but on the other hand, he needed to prepare for the worst. Only by planning for every eventuality could he avoid being caught off guard if the worst happened.Shawn called Joe, "Joe, come to my office." "Now?""Yes.""I'm in a meeting. Give me ten minutes," Joe said."Alright."After hanging up, Shawn dialed the chief lawyer from the legal department. "Come over.""Yes, Mr. Wood."The lawyer was puzzled by the sudden summons. Everything had been calm at the Wood Group recently.The lawyer quickly arrived."Mr. Wood.""Sit." Shawn gestured with his chin. "I need to consult you about the shares."The lawyer responded fluently, "Mr. Wood, curre
The lawyer left Shawn's office, his face spelled shock and confusion. Just as he opened the door, Joe appeared, about to enter."Joe, hey," the lawyer greeted, stepping aside."What did he call you here for today?" Joe casually asked."Uh... Joe, you can ask Mr. Wood about that. I've got something else to attend to. Gotta go."Joe glanced at the lawyer's retreating figure and raised an eyebrow. The lawyer was always composed and meticulous. What could Shawn have said to stun him like that?"Spill it. You don't usually drag me out of meetings. What's the matter?" Joe said, sprawling into a chair.Shawn looked at him and suddenly smirked. "I can tell things have been going well for you lately. Spring in your step, all smiles.""Ah, the honeymoon phase. You've been through it too."That triggered a distant memory in Shawn. Honeymoon phase? He and Gale went straight from marriage; where was there time for a honeymoon phase? There was only the phase where he realized he loved Gale