"I don't know if you're genuinely on my side or just trying to placate me with lies," Aurum said.He walked over to her and gently took her wrist. "Look how thin you've become. Why aren't you eating? What if you harm your health? It would hurt me to see you suffer," he said softly.Next to them was a bowl of porridge. It was still warm as it was just made in the morning. Aurum picked it up and brought a spoonful to her lips. "Come on, have a little."Ivy did not open her mouth and stared blankly at him. She would not be swayed by Aurum's actions. He had not shown up for three days during her hunger strike, and now he was here suddenly. There had to be a reason. She knew Aurum too well; he never did anything without a purpose."Eat. Fill your stomach, then we can talk," Aurum coaxed patiently."I've promised you everything. My whole heart is yours. Why don't you believe me?" Ivy asked.Aurum nodded. "I believe you, I believe you. Now, open your mouth."The aroma of the porridge l
"Alright, I'll go prepare some tea and snacks."Aurum tossed the walkie-talkie aside and stood with his hands on his hips, his expression dark and menacing. Ivy watched his back silently, knowing that Aurum was contemplating whether to keep her confined or to take her to see Shawn. He was weighing the pros and cons.After a while, Aurum turned around, his gaze lingering on her with a meaningful look. "Come here."Ivy complied."Take off your clothes."She did not move, instead covering her front. "What do you want to do?""Do it yourself, or do you need my help?""Tell me why you want me to undress first!""I will conduct a full body search. What if you're hiding something and give it to Shawn the moment you see him?" Aurum replied. Aurum had meticulously planned each step to get to where he was today. He could not let everything be ruined by Ivy. Absolutely not!A body search? Ivy actually felt a sense of relief."Fine." She bit her lip. "To prove my innocence, to show tha
Gale often found herself being too intrusive, so she decided not to seek out Summer anymore casually.Shawn wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Why are you blushing?""I... I'm not.""You totally are. Your face is as red as a monkey's butt. I can tell!" Joshua chimed in.Gale glared at him. "You don't know what you're talking about!""What don't I know?"Just then, footsteps echoed from the staircase. Joshua's attention was instantly diverted."Ivy!" He transformed into a star-struck fanboy, his eyes practically sparkling. "Wow, I finally see you again!"Nicole also shouted with delight, "Ivy!"The siblings could not sit still any longer and dashed towards Ivy. She smiled and opened her arms to embrace them. However, having not eaten for three days, her body was weak. As the children ran toward her with considerable force, she could not maintain her balance and fell backward."Ah! My beautiful fairy!""Ivy!""Careful, Ivy!" Seeing this, Aurum quickly caught her, preven
Joshua quickly argued, "She's always beautiful! She looks beautiful now too!""I mean, a happy Ivy looks even better!"Ivy patted Nicole's head. "I understand what you mean, Nicole. Thank you both for coming to see me.""Good thing we came, or we wouldn't have known you were sick. You looked even prettier last time when you smiled," Nicole said.A person's mental wellbeing is reflected directly on their face. Even the kids noticed Ivy's weariness and exhaustion, and Gale understood too. However, she did not get it. Ivy had Aurum now. Her career was smooth sailing, her love life was thriving, so what could be troubling her? Was it still about what happened that night with Paul? Gale only dared to think about it, not to ask.So she looked at Aurum. "You're not doing a great job as a boyfriend. Since Ivy has been with you, she hasn't become happier. You have a lot of responsibility.""Exactly!" Joshua chimed in. "Uncle Aurum, how are you taking care of Ivy? If you can't, let me do i
"You need to listen to your parents, be a good kid, and study hard. Joshua, if you and Nicole miss me, you can call me anytime, and we can even video chat," Ivy said as she gently patted his back. "But today, I called you so many times, and no one answered."Ivy paused for a couple of seconds before saying, "Oh, my phone was charging, and I didn't notice."Joshua, hugging her and with his arms around her neck, said, "Ivy, if you see my missed calls next time, you have to call me back right away.""Of course, Joshua."Aurum stood nearby, and Ivy deliberately shifted her body slightly. Taking advantage of the moment, Ivy kept one hand on Joshua's back while slowly moving the other hand downwards. She quickly slipped her hand into Joshua's pocket and gave a gentle tug.Joshua felt the pull and looked at her with confusion, about to say something, but Ivy stood up."Alright. Goodbye, Joshua," she waved.Nicole raised her arms. "I want a hug too!""Okay, okay, come here, Nicole."
It was hidden in her mouth. Ivy had been holding it there the entire time. The bug was too important. It was the only evidence she had, and she had to get it to Shawn. If Aurum discovered the bug, he would realize she had never intended to submit to him. Who knows, he might use even more brutal methods against her.Earlier, Ivy and Shawn never had a chance to get close. With Aurum constantly watching, she could not pass it to him. After much thought, Ivy used the hug to slip the bug into Joshua's pocket. Joshua, despite his young age, was clever and sharp. He would not let her down. She pinned all her hopes on him."Are you satisfied with my performance?" Ivy withdrew her gaze and turned to Aurum. "Can you trust me now?""What have you done to make me trust you?""Aurum, suspicious people don't live happy lives.""Not getting the person you want is what truly makes one unhappy."Ivy asked, "You still haven't given up on Gale? Aren't you going to marry me?"Aurum lifted her chin.
As she ate, Ivy pondered whether Shawn would rescue her and expose Aurum's misdeeds to the public or if she would remain in Aurum's grasp, becoming one of his pawns. If Aurum threatened Shawn with her life in exchange for keeping the contents of the listening device secret, what would Shawn do? Although Shawn is ruthless and cold, he might still consider her safety because of Gale.If Shawn decided to just hold onto the evidence without making it public, that would be bad. Ivy had worked hard to get the evidence; she could not just let it go to waste. Lost in thought, she suddenly chuckled.Aurum glanced at her. What was going on?"Nothing, don't mind me," Ivy said, biting her spoon with a smile. "I just thought of something really funny."Aurum looked away."This food is really delicious. I've avoided eating rice for years to maintain my figure. Now, after not eating for several days, I feel like white rice is the most wonderful food in the world," Ivy said, poking at the rice in
At that moment, Gale and the children were all there; if a conflict had erupted, they could have been in danger! Thankfully, Joshua kept his composure. Truly, he was Shawn's son through and through. Shawn gripped the steering wheel, pressed the gas pedal, and raced toward Aurum's residence.Ivy must have been in trouble. Maybe she had been exposed. Otherwise, why would she take leave from the set and look so haggard at the Lefting's? Has Aurum already taken control of her?Shawn opened the bug, connected it via Bluetooth, and after a crackling static, Aurum's voice came through. Ivy's voice was there too. On the way to Aurum's house, Shawn listened through the entire contents of the bug.Sure enough, Aurum had not succeeded. This evidence was just too perfect. If Shawn remembered correctly, Aurum had placed the bug in Ivy's bag, but Ivy unexpectedly turned the tables and recorded Aurum's incriminating evidence. Well done!After all this time, Shawn finally had solid proof. Gale wou