Shawn said, "Yes"."It's impossible! I've checked you thoroughly; there's nothing hidden on you!" Aurum exclaimed.Ivy gave him a glance. "I did hide something. It's in my mouth.""You!" Aurum's face turned instantly livid."I've already planned for this. If I can't keep it in my mouth, I'll swallow it. Then, I'll get it back after having my stomach pumped. Luckily, you only cared about whether I had anything hidden on my body, not my mouth," Ivy continued calmly."What if it's in your mouth! How did you give it to Shawn!" Despite being several meters apart, Shawn and Ivy maintained no physical contact."I wouldn't be foolish enough to hand it directly to Mr. Wood. Aurum, it's so obvious. Can't you tell?" Ivy replied expressionlessly. Aurum clenched his fists, recalling everything, and suddenly it dawned on him."Joshua! You gave it to Joshua! You held him!" Aurum exclaimed.Ivy nodded. "Yes, it looks like your rationality isn't completely gone.""You wretch!" Enraged, Aurum
Who knew that just as Aurum rushed forward, Shawn casually tossed the bug aside. The bug flew across the air. Aurum never expected Shawn to do that. How can he toss such an important piece of evidence?Aurum's gaze followed it, and the moment the bug hit the ground, he rushed over and picked it up tightly. Shawn stood still, watching him as if he were a clown."Did you pick it up? And then what? What can you do?" Shawn asked.Aurum realized then that Shawn must have already backed up the recordings since he dared to show it so casually and throw away the bug. He was just too anxious and forgot about this.Sure enough, Shawn calmly said, "I've already backed up the recordings multiple times. You can't destroy them. Trying to keep secrets forever? Do you think you can fool everyone?""Fine, fine!" Aurum raised his hand and fiercely threw the bug to the ground. With a snap, the bug shattered into pieces, its shards flying, narrowly missing Ivy's face."You two have been plotting aga
"Never meet Gale alone again, always keeping a distance of two meters from her."That was Shawn's only requirement. He was generous enough to give Aurum a last ounce of dignity. Shawn would have ruined him long ago if it were anyone else!Aurum did not believe it for a moment. "Who are you? I know very well who you are, Shawn. I nearly tainted Gale. Would you let me off so easily?""Because you are Gale's friend," Shawn replied simply.That was Shawn's reason for forgiveness. If it were just their personal vendetta, Shawn would have taken severe action against Aurum, ensuring he had no chance for redemption with violent methods. He was lucky it involved Gale.The thought of Gale flashed through Shawn's mind like a breath of spring wind, smoothing away all his resentment, anger, and hatred. He had to consider Gale."I have no way out now. From the moment I decided to compete with you for Gale, I never considered a peaceful resolution. Either I get her, or I lose her completely!" A
What a clown."Did you arrange for the paparazzi to take intimate photos of Ivy and me, Aurum? Were you hoping that a few pictures could break Gale and me apart? Your plan failed," Shawn asked."Yes, it was me!" Aurum seized the opportunity to voice his doubts. "Why does Gale trust you so much?""Because she and I are married, bound together through thick and thin, for better or for worse, till death do us part. Aurum, you've never experienced marriage, so you don't understand how important trust and responsibility are. That's why you foolishly thought a few photos could come between Gale and me.""But why did you tolerate seeing Gale and me lying together on a bed in the hotel?"Shawn replied calmly, "I know she wouldn't betray me. Even if, by some chance, something did happen, she would be innocent, a victim, manipulated. The more so, the more I need to stand by her, support and rely on her."He paused, looking at Aurum with profound pity. "You will never understand."Aurum wa
His fingernail grazed Ivy's cheek. "What if I ruin this pretty face of hers? How about that?"Ivy showed no expression.Shawn did not feel threatened either. "By ruining her, you're also ruining yourself. Do you think Gale won't notice the scars on her face? How will you explain that?""Stop using Gale to pressure me!""I never need to use my woman to suppress others! I'm just reminding you that every wrong step you take now is hurting Gale, ruining her trust and feelings for you!" Shawn responded with overwhelming authority."Does she have feelings for me?""Friendship is still a feeling and familial affection is even more so."Aurum fell silent, thinking.Indeed, holding Ivy hostage was not a long-term solution. Ivy had already revealed her stance. She was on Shawn's side and would not be used by Aurum. Keeping her for another day would only count for another day. What about after that? What would happen next?Was he supposed to just watch Shawn hand over the recordings to G
After speaking, Aurum looked at Shawn. "Do you want to see them? So you don't think I'm lying."Shawn's face darkened. He had not expected that Aurum would have taken compromising photos of Ivy. If those photos were posted online, they would be devastating for Ivy. Not to mention the impact on her career; public scorn alone could destroy her. As a woman, how could she endure such severe online harassment? Seeing the change in Shawn and Ivy's expressions, Aurum finally felt he had the upper hand and more confidence."Think it over carefully. If you insist on giving the evidence to Gale, then I'll post all of Ivy's photos online, ruining her completely," Aurum said.He did not believe Ivy could ignore her reputation. Moreover, Ivy was the spokesperson for their jewelry brand; if she had any links to negative news, it would also affect the brand. With this tactic in hand, Aurum finally felt confident. Shawn did not speak. He certainly could not sacrifice Ivy! She had already done so mu
Aurum gestured, and the bodyguards stepped back, releasing Ivy. She stood still, glancing at Aurum. Ivy had acted in many roles, experienced numerous characters, and lived different lives through scripts. Almost every director and actor she had worked with praised her for her acting skills, especially her expressive eyes that could convey complex emotions in a few glances, captivating the audience. However, that was acting. When the camera shut off, and the director called cut, she would step out of her role and return to her own life.However, looking at Aurum now, Ivy did not know how to express her emotions. She felt a mix of love and hate, laced with disappointment and disgust. In her heart, Aurum was such a hypocritical and complex person."There's something I've always wanted to ask you. The first time we met, outside the Wood Group, a boy on a skateboard lost control and came rushing toward me, and you saved me..." Ivy said, looking at him."Yes. What about it?""Was it a co
"I hate him deeply. Apart from acting, no one has ever slapped me. Aurum was the first," Ivy said.She would remember that slap and the pain it brought forever. It hurt her heart and left a scar."I'll take you home first. I'll arrange for bodyguards to follow you around the clock to protect you from any of Aurum's tricks," Shawn said."Thank you, Mr. Wood.""No need to thank me. I should be thanking you. Without you, we wouldn't have that solid evidence. Both Gale and I owe you our gratitude, though she will never know about this."If Gale knew the whole story, she would certainly feel heartbroken over the grievances Ivy had suffered.Ivy gazed at the road ahead. "Are you really going to keep the evidence to yourself, not go public, not tell Gale, and keep her in the dark?""We have no choice. Otherwise, the photos...""I said I don't care. I'm safe now, no longer under Aurum's threat. My life is secured. I'm not afraid of him anymore," Ivy said.Surviving and getting out of