Realizing that everyone was looking at him with a puzzled expression, Grant Evans stopped laughing and spoke up. “To be honest, your father and I were once close friends.” Ivy wasn’t surprised by this revelation. It wasn’t a big deal, nor did it hold any real significance for her. Whether it was true or just a made-up story, it wouldn’t affect her in the slightest. “Are you sure about this, Father? She could be lying about her identity. We shouldn’t be so quick to believe her and let ourselves be deceived,” Ether spoke up doubtfully. “The truth can always be verified,” Grant Evans replied calmly. “When it comes to family matters, only those within the family would know the details. It’s not something just anyone can make up. Besides, what would be the point of deception? Didn’t you notice that she initially tried to hide her identity? It was only when she was forced to defend her family’s honor that she reluctantly revealed the truth. If she were truly scheming, would she have han
“You must be joking, right?” Luke’s mother voiced her outrage at the absurdity of her husband’s decision. “There’s no way Luke can just walk his own path. I won’t accept this decision.” She declared loudly before turning away, making her anger clear. “That’s right, Father, please reconsider,” Tegan added fuel to the fire, further pressuring their father’s resolve. She seriously expressed her concerns, “We can’t make such a reckless decision and face severe consequences. We’ll become a laughingstock.” “I also oppose this decision.” Ether thought of how Masaki would feel upon hearing the news and immediately voiced his disapproval. Despite the growing opposition, Luke’s father remained unwavering, standing firm on his declaration. Under Grant Evans’ expectant gaze, Ivy tried to maintain her composure, gathering enough courage to ask, “Is this a condition in exchange for Luke’s freedom?” “That’s correct.” Grant Evans affirmed without hesitation, emphasizing the weight of the matter.
As always, Grant Evans paid no heed to the listeners' emotional reactions. He remained as composed as ever, his face like a mask concealing any trace of sentiment. No matter the circumstances, he faced everything with unshakable calm, never revealing the slightest hesitation. "From the very beginning, you were the one chosen to marry the Yagami family's daughter," Grant Evans suddenly revealed another secret. "But because I wanted to honor your mother’s wishes, I showed favoritism and let Luke take your place. I’m sorry, Ether." "Why did you do that?" Ether was stunned by the confession. He glared at his father, his voice demanding answers. "Why deceive everyone? If you were going to keep it a secret, why reveal it now? Is it because of Luke?" The resentment in his voice grew increasingly evident. Disappointment and anger burned in Ether’s gaze for all to see. Ivy, who had been nothing more than an outsider, suddenly felt out of place, like she had wandered into a situation wher
What exactly had just happened? Ivy couldn't help but feel curious. Ah, it turned out that Grant Evans had masterfully steered the family's mindset. He had carefully and thoroughly analyzed the situation, making it clear that, as a father, his greatest wish was to find a good wife for his son. And in his view, Ivy was the perfect candidate. Even Tegan had to reluctantly acknowledge this. The girl clearly cared deeply for Luke, and Ivy’s presence undeniably lifted his spirits. Though Tegan wasn’t particularly fond of Ivy, she set aside her personal biases and accepted her as her future sister-in-law."Don't let our goodwill go to waste," Tegan said in an attempt to persuade Ivy. "Personally, I’m not entirely on board with this decision. But for Luke’s sake, I can accept you as my brother’s wife."Oh, for heaven’s sake! Was this family putting on a comedy act? Each one playing their part, taking turns to convince her—it was like a well-rehearsed performance, all aimed at trapping Ivy in
"Enough." Grant Evans decided it was time to intervene and raised his voice sternly. "Both of you, stop this at once. We have guests here—don’t embarrass yourselves any further."Tegan turned away, her breathing heavy, her anger reaching its peak. Luke, too, slowly regained his composure. It dawned on him that, without realizing it, he had just revealed too much of his past self in front of Ivy. It was unsettling to think that she might grow to despise him because of it.As for Ivy, watching this dramatic argument between the two siblings was rather entertaining. Tegan’s reaction was hardly surprising—any woman in her position would likely react the same way. What truly caught Ivy off guard was Luke taking her side, even if it meant standing against his own family.Her heart trembled slightly, a small warmth settling in.Once the tension subsided, Grant Evans turned to Ivy and said, "I hope you can overlook my daughter's thoughtless words.""It’s quite alright," Ivy replied gently. "A
What an exhausting evening.At last, Ivy had completed her task. Though the results weren’t exactly what she had hoped for, she had unknowingly landed herself in yet another predicament—a complicated mess that couldn’t be resolved overnight.Grant Evans' words still echoed in her ears, leaving her overwhelmed even now. For the first time in her life, she found herself in a situation so absurd it was almost unbelievable. Honestly, what kind of parent calls someone—not to threaten them to stay away from their son, nor to bribe them with money like in those old cliché movies? If Grant Evans had simply named a price—one billion, ten billion, even twenty billion if he was feeling generous—Ivy would have taken the money without hesitation and disappeared without a word. But no, instead of spending a single cent, he was more than willing to "give away" his son for free.Three months. Not too long, yet not short either. Could Ivy endure this challenge, or would something unexpected happen alo
While she was still reeling from his confession, he continued to unsettle her even more."I know you remember me, teacher." His voice suddenly softened, carrying a strange gentleness. Luke spoke with a hint of nostalgia, "You remember that rebellious student from back then—the one who locked his teacher in the storage room."Ivy didn’t need to ask to know that Luke was reminiscing about the past—those reckless, impulsive, and defiant days of his youth.In that moment, memories surged back into her mind. Seven years had passed—not too short, yet not too long. Indeed, those were unforgettable times for both of them. As he had said, Luke saw it as an obsession. And an obsession was not something easily forgotten or abandoned.For her, Luke had left an indelible mark—he was that troublesome student who had done everything to drive her away, tormenting her in every possible way. That incident of locking her in the storage room had been a major turning point, a significant moment neither of
“What are you doing here at this hour?” she asked bluntly, her sharp tongue as relentless as ever. “Are you planning to join a ghostly procession, wandering the streets this late? Or are you sleepwalking?”Honestly, wouldn’t it have been better if he just got straight to the point from the start? All that thinking and overanalyzing led nowhere. What a waste of time and effort. Ryan was ridiculous—if he had something to say, why wait until someone asked? Didn’t he realize how much time he was wasting? Then again, maybe this was intentional, a way to gauge her reaction.Strangely enough, he didn’t seem the least bit annoyed by her sarcasm. Perhaps he had grown too accustomed to Ivy’s “charming” way of speaking.“Where were you?” he asked casually, changing the subject with an air of curiosity.“Where I go is none of your business. Why do you care? Do I need to report my whereabouts to you? Who do you think you are?” she shot back indifferently, deliberately doubling down in hopes of end
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