In recent days, Luke has been busy with company projects, with no time to attend to personal matters. After finishing his main tasks, he's feeling restless, unable to find a way to contact Ivy. He tried calling the service center but was told they had no information. Since Ivy left her job, all contact has been cut off, leaving only her personal phone number. Frustratingly, every time he calls, no one answers because Ivy's phone is in his possession. Her phone is locked by security, so he can't access her contacts. After waiting for days, no one bothers to contact her number.Feeling down, Luke suddenly receives good news: a subordinate informs him that someone has come to the hotel to inquire about Ivy's bag. That someone turns out to be Jena, who, upon receiving a request from Ivy, took the opportunity of her free time to come and retrieve the bag for her. Unfortunately, she arrived late, and the luggage department staff informed her that Ivy's bag had already been sent directly to
"Up until now, I still haven't seen a single dollar transferred from you," Ivy said sternly, without any further delay, addressing Luke's anticipation and eagerness. "Your delay makes me anxious and worried, thinking I might have been scammed. Since we happen to meet here, please settle your debt with me. Rest assured, I won’t charge any interest, even though it's overdue by a week."What? Oh my, so that's the reason for Ivy's restlessness and irritation. Luke had seriously misunderstood and even had wildly inaccurate assumptions. Honestly, if Ivy hadn't bluntly reminded him, he might have forgotten.Having said that, Ivy calmly held out her hand towards him, patiently waiting. Luke didn't feel annoyed at all; on the contrary, he was genuinely impressed with her impeccable straightforwardness. She didn't fear offending anyone or worry about what others thought of her. Some might even look down on her, assuming she was materialistic and money-driven. As for him, he certainly didn’t fee
Ivy waited for so long, but the rain didn't stop, time was passing quickly, and the afternoon shift was approaching. Worried about getting scolded, Ivy decided to brave the rain and walk back to the office. Actually, Ivy could have called Ryan, making up an excuse to take the afternoon off, or she could have done as she usually did and provoked Ryan. But she didn't do that. How should I properly describe Ivy's current condition? Maybe, Today, Ivy wasn't in the mood to argue, debate, or reason with her boss. She just wanted peace. Today was May 15th, one of the saddest and most gloomy days for Ivy.However, Ivy's intention to return to the company was interrupted by Luke.Luke had offered to take her home. Ideally, Ivy should have known to keep a safe distance from him, not giving him any opportunity or hope to get closer to her. She should have shown reluctance, politely declining his concern. Yet she inexplicably agreed. Perhaps Ivy feared the feeling of loneliness and emptiness whil
Ivy had just put her bag down on the desk when he stood at the door, loudly calling out. It wasn’t a coincidence; Ryan had been deliberately waiting there for her. Ryan felt a vague annoyance, clearly standing right there, yet Ivy didn’t see him. Was she intentionally ignoring him, or did she really not notice the boss's office? Whatever the reason, it wasn’t the main issue. The main thing was that Ryan wanted to know where she had been and what she was doing with Luke.Unable to contain the curiosity churning inside him, Ryan ignored the wise words of reason and acted on the urging of his emotions.“Where have you been?” His voice was like an interrogation, followed by strong criticism. “Do you know what time it is? You’ve arrived late for the afternoon shift.”Don’t blame the rain; Ryan didn’t like that. He’d rather Ivy be honest; he would have behaved less straightforwardly and less jealously. Unfortunately, Ryan’s wish was neither heard nor fulfilled by Ivy.When called, Ivy turne
Despite Ivy's generous efforts, Ryan ignored everything and continued to do as he pleased."No one is foolish enough to abandon wealth and fame to pursue love," Ryan asserted loudly, as if his words were entirely accurate. "Not to mention love with someone..." He paused, observing her deeply furrowed brow, choosing his next words carefully, more gently. "someone who is not of the same social standing. Furthermore, the two of you look quite mismatched together."It was infuriating to hear, even though she already knew it. He could have said it outright; the truth often hurts, but Ivy was upset by his attitude, which was completely disdainful and contemptuous. He indeed wanted her to react strongly, but as mentioned earlier, she wasn't in the mood today. She wanted to end this peacefully, or at least amicably."You're not him," Ivy calmly retorted. "So don't draw any arbitrary conclusions. Don't you find it ridiculous? Speak only when you're certain; then your words will be persuasive."
In the restroom, Ivy kept splashing water on her face, muttering nonstop, "You’re crazy, Ivy. How could you let that happen so easily?" Staring at the mirror, she tried to steady her breathing. His kiss was wonderful, but… it didn’t stir anything inside her. Or maybe, before it could reach her heart, she had already pushed it away. What was I even expecting? Ivy wondered. In that brief moment, she had hoped her heart would race—at the very least, tremble a little—but no, it remained indifferent, cold. As for Ryan, he just stood there, unsure of what to do next. It was as if he realized Ivy had no interest or desire like he did—or maybe there was another reason. So, reluctantly, he let go of the kiss and made no move to chase after her. Maybe that kiss was just a fleeting moment? ... Ryan walked away, his mind filled with thoughts about Ivy. The kiss lingered in his head all afternoon, noticeably affecting his work performance. He had spent almost the entire rest of the day questi
That afternoon, as discussed over lunch, Luke was going to pick Ivy up and take her to meet his father. It was time to bring everything to an end so that neither of them would have to worry about any potential troubles. For both Luke and Ivy, this was a decision they wanted to make sooner rather than later to avoid any unnecessary complications. Time waited for no one, and the quicker they acted, the fewer obstacles they would face. They both knew that delaying things would only give others a chance to interfere with their plans. “I haven’t prepared anything at all. Showing up so suddenly—do you think that’s okay?” Sitting in the car, Ivy voiced her concern. “Should I put on some makeup, choose a more suitable outfit? I mean, something that looks decent?” “It’s best to just be yourself,” Luke advised. “Don’t worry too much about appearances. As long as you feel comfortable and satisfied with yourself, that’s what matters. I like you that way—unconcerned with outward looks or the opin
The grand, luxurious mansion unfolded before Ivy’s eyes, a breathtaking sight of unparalleled wealth and elegance. It was magnificent, exuding a level of opulence she had never seen before. For a few seconds, she stood there, momentarily lost in admiration. But that was all it was—admiration. There was no greed, no desire to possess it or to live here, and Luke could see that clearly. He liked that about her. He enjoyed watching the way she marveled at the mansion, her clear, untainted eyes reflecting nothing but pure appreciation. Her soft lips parted slightly in awe, making her look effortlessly alluring. A sudden urge surged within him—he wanted to press his lips against hers. It would no doubt feel incredible. Luke unconsciously licked his own dry lips. Damn it. It felt as if thousands of tiny ants were crawling all over his body, making his skin tingle with an unbearable itch. If this continued any longer, he feared he would lose control and do something reckless. He needed to s
That night, in a dark corner behind the school, Luke was ambushed.He hadn’t seen it coming. No one had ever dared to lay a hand on him this way before. But tonight, the darkness became a hiding place for the cowardly.A metal rod swung up from behind. Luke only heard the whoosh of the air before a sharp pain hit the back of his head, blurring his vision.He collapsed to the ground, but before he could react, another punch landed hard in his side."Damn it..." Luke staggered, trying to stand, but was kicked violently in the chest.A shout echoed through the silence."Ivy..."His voice barely left his throat when a figure rushed toward him.Ivy.Without hesitation, she kicked the person who was about to strike Luke again. Her movement was quick and precise, causing the attacker to fall to the ground. The remaining attackers froze for a moment before realizing that, despite being a teacher, Ivy was not someone to be easily bullied.She grabbed Luke’s arm, helping him to his feet."Are y
After several failed attempts, Luke still didn't give up and was determined to get back at Ivy. Knowing she often went to the storage room after school to collect teaching materials, he came up with a plan to lock her inside and teach her a lesson.One late afternoon, as the sunset painted the sky red, Luke quietly followed Ivy. When she entered the storage room, he quickly moved to shut the door behind her. However, before he could do so, a strong push from behind made him stumble and fall inside the room. The door slammed shut behind him, and the sound of the lock clicking shut echoed coldly.In the dim light, Luke heard footsteps fading away and a soft giggle. He realized that someone else, possibly someone with a grudge against him, had played a prank on him."Who's there?" Ivy's voice called from the corner of the room, wary."It's me, Luke," he replied, trying to stay calm."What are you doing here?" Ivy asked, moving closer."I... I came to check if you fell into my trap," Luke
The cafeteria of the juvenile detention center was always noisy and bustling at lunchtime, filled with those who didn’t care about the rules. In the middle of the crowd, Luke and his group were mocking a weak boy, knocking his food tray to the ground.“Pick it up, or do you want me to help you lick it clean?” One of the guys sneered.The sound of cruel laughter echoed as the poor boy bent down to pick up the crumbs, his hands trembling in fear. His eyes were red, but he bit his lip tightly, trying not to let the tears fall. The crowd around them stood by, some with their arms crossed indifferently, some laughing mockingly, but no one spoke up to help. A few others looked away, as if afraid that if they interfered, they would become the next target.Ivy had just entered, and the scene immediately caught her eye. A surge of anger rose in her chest, making her grip her food tray tightly. She hated this kind of bullying—hated the silence of those who only watched. With a deep breath, she
Mason and Tegan officially became husband and wife after a journey that was anything but rushed. At first, their marriage was merely an arrangement, not born out of love. But instead of letting the distance between them grow, they chose to take the time to understand each other, little by little, day by day. What started as simple conversations became the threads that connected them, and even their disagreements helped them see each other more clearly. Love did not come from obligation but from the moments they shared—quiet yet profound.On their special day, beneath the soft glow of the sunset on the beach, they exchanged vows in the presence of family and friends—those who truly wished them happiness. Gentle waves kissed the shore like a soothing melody, and the ocean breeze carried the sound of joyful laughter. When Mason took Tegan’s hand, their eyes met, speaking volumes without words. This was no longer just an arranged marriage—it was a choice of the heart.…One gentle morning
Ryan sat silently in the large armchair in the spacious living room, his eyes unconsciously drifting over the family portraits hanging on the walls. They captured the glorious moments of his lineage—lavish parties, strategic handshakes. But no matter how many times he looked, he couldn’t find himself in any of them.The sound of hurried footsteps interrupted his thoughts. His father, William, entered the room with his usual commanding presence. His face was stern, his sharp eyes fixed on Ryan. There was no need to guess—Ryan knew this conversation was inevitable."Ryan, you must understand that your marriage to Jena is not just a personal matter. It concerns the family's honor, the interests of the entire corporation," William’s deep voice carried weight with every word.Ryan lifted his head to meet his father’s gaze. There was no hesitation in his eyes, only a firm and unyielding determination. "I understand that very well. But I cannot marry someone I don’t love. I refuse to live a
Under the fading twilight, the soft melody from Ivy and Luke’s wedding still echoed behind, mingling with the laughter of the guests. But Zoe had no intention of staying any longer. This event had not gone the way she had hoped. Ivy had truly become Luke’s, and Ryan could do nothing but stand there, silently witnessing it all.Clenching her lips tightly, Zoe left the banquet in silence. She knew for certain that Ryan was drowning in despair and disappointment at that very moment. This was the perfect opportunity to approach him, to feign sympathy and understanding, and slowly make him forget Ivy and turn to her instead. If she was patient enough, she believed she could have Ryan.However, just as she stepped out of the wedding venue, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her path. Zoe frowned as she recognized Mason."Get out of my way," she snapped, trying to sidestep him, but Mason stood firm like an immovable stone, his sharp eyes locking onto hers."Zoe, stop t
Amidst the whispers, the stares, and the uproar of a hall shaken by shocking news—her world suddenly fell silent.There was only him.Only his gaze.Only his words, reaching the deepest part of her heart."I'm an imperfect woman," Ivy confessed bravely."I'm also a man with many flaws," Luke responded immediately."I'm older than you," Ivy continued."I like mature women.""I can't have children.""I don't care where the children come from, as long as you're their mother.""You’re hopelessly stupid.""I love you, Ivy. Even if the whole world turns its back on you, I will still stand by your side. So, please, don't doubt my love."Luke gently tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes unwavering as he continued to pour out his heart."Ivy, please give me a chance," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I don't ask for anything more than to fill the emptiness in your heart. I know you've suffered too much, endured too many losses that have made you unwilling to love or trust anyone agai
As announced, the wedding between Luke and Ivy took place the following morning. Ryan had initially refused to attend, unable to accept the reality, but in the end, he relented under Mason’s reasoning and forced himself to be there.The wedding reception was held at one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city. The venue was dazzling, adorned with fresh flowers and bathed in the warm glow of crystal chandeliers. Everything had been arranged overnight, a testament to the immense power of Luke’s family.Guests dressed in extravagant attire raised their glasses in celebration, but behind their polite smiles, whispers spread like wildfire, igniting a wave of speculation.On the large screen in the center of the hall, a series of images appeared—photos of Ivy intimately interacting with various men. One showed her holding hands with a man at a café, another captured her linking arms with someone as they left a hotel, and one even depicted her embracing a stranger in the dark.The enti
Before leaving, she suddenly paused and turned back to glance at the table beside her—where Ryan still sat, the wine glass in his hand trembling slightly under the warm glow of the lights.She tilted her head slightly, a gentle smile gracing her lips, yet it carried an unmistakable hint of provocation."Oh, right, Ryan," she spoke slowly, her voice soft but laced with sharpness. "I’d like to invite you to my wedding tomorrow. After all, we used to know each other. It would feel incomplete without you there."Ryan tightened his grip on the glass, his knuckles turning white. His eyes darkened, as deep as an abyss, yet his face remained composed, forcing an air of indifference.Luke said nothing, merely pulling Ivy away with effortless ease.Zoe, sitting beside Ryan, sneered as she noticed his tense expression."What’s wrong? Didn’t you always claim you didn’t care about her anymore? Then why are you so mad? I’d bet Ivy did that just to get back at you.""Shut up."Ryan’s sudden outburst