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From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 112. The Plan
"Have you told mom yet?""No.""Andrew?""No.""So, something like this happened, and rather than actually talking to your mother about it, you grabbed your boyfriend and hopped on a plane here.""Yes.""Are you serious right now?""Hey, don't forget that I'm your older sister.""Oh wow, why don't we just leave you to take care of yourself then. My older sister is so smart and she definitely doesn't need her younger brother or his wife looking out for her.""No! That's not what I meant. Sorry."He sighed as he sat next to her. "I'm sorry things didn't work out the way you wanted it to. I know how terrible it must be for you to be betrayed like that." His experience with Bianca was something that would have scarred him for life, if it wasn't for the fact that he had Ivy and their kids around him, so he could understand his sister's feelings. "So? What do you want to do?""I want to punish him. I know that if I get the police involved, it won't solve anything because you can't arrest yo
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 113. Background Check
"What did you say?" "Yes. It was very surprising to me at first. I think it was about two weeks ago, I received a call from a really nice sounding man– and young too!-- and he said he was interested in buying my hotel.""Just one guy? That's impossible!""Exactly! Or at least that was what I thought at first too. But then I told him the price I had in mind and the next thing I knew, he had made the payment.""Who is this person?""He said his name was Dev or so. Yes it was. He made the payment at once. I didn't even think there was someone wealthy enough to make a transfer of such a huge amount of money at once. Very impressive, I would like to do business with him again very soon."Moses could hardly believe what he was hearing. The Zion hotel had been in existence for almost ten years, and the owner had always been Ellis Graham. Before he became the owner, the Zion hotel was known as Heaven On Earth hotel and suites, and it was jointly owned by three brothers. The stories goes th
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 114. The Punishment
According to Van's plan, Macy was to invite Jasper out with Ivy to celebrate their engagement, and the trio would go to a near by bar. The plan was to get him drunk, then Macy would steal his other girlfriend's phone number and send all the pictures to her with the hope that it'll be enough to save her from falling a victim to Jasper's wicked schemes. "Baby, this was supposed to be a secret but, I have decided to get you that sports car you've always wanted, as an engagement gift."When Macy said that, Jasper's eyes widened in surprise, then for some reason he glanced at Ivy, as if to check if she was okay with it. Ivy, who knew Macy was only lying to make Jasper more excited, pretended like she was surprised, but she didn't object to it. "I think you're going to have to give her something as well Jasper, or are you going to let a woman defeat you?" She said in a cheerful tone. Feeling relieved that she didn't say anything about it, Jasper laughed heartily. Finally, things were go
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 115. The Visit
Everyone froze when he said that. Immediately, Van turned to Ivy, he had no idea she had been looking for her parents. It made him feel like an incompetent husband for not knowing something so crucial about the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Chris had a smile on his face. Ivy was hooked, he could see that and he was enjoying it. He mentally gave himself a pat on the shoulder for opting for the background check. "What is he talking about?" Macy was the first to speak. "Mom knows your parents, so why are you looking for them?""No-no. It's not that. See, after my mother passed away, I spent a few years with a nice couple before my grandparents took me in. I haven't seen them since and I was hoping I could find them." She explained. "Well my dear, your search has officially come to an end.""How did you know she was looking for her parents?" Van asked. He knew there was no way Ivy would say something so important about her to Chris, especially since she didn't eve
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 116. Dinner Date
"Hi.""Hi, do I know you? You look kinda familiar.""Me? Oh I don't think so. I've lived here all my life.""Oh… then you're not the one. My bad.""Not at all. You're the wife of the man who lives down at the beach house, right?"Ivy was surprised because she didn't know who the other lady was, or how she knew who she was. "Um … yeah?""There's no need to look so concerned. I live around and I love going to the beach a lot. I've seen you and your… husband?..." Ivy nodded and she smiled. "Okay. I've seen you two around a couple of times.""Oh okay. Nice to meet you.""Same here. The reason I approached you today was because I wanted to be friends. I've been thinking about the right way to go about it but nothing seemed right so…""It's totally fine. We can be friends. It would be nice to have at least one friend before I leave.""Leave?""Yeah. My husband and I are just here for our honeymoon.""Ah, then I guess I should have approached you much more earlier.""Hehe. It's fine. We can
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 117. The Break Up
"Ivy, please just hear me out. I understand how you feel-well no one can truly understand what you're feeling at the moment - but I want to be here for you. Look, I know finding these people is very important to you–""--so why are you trying to get in my way?!""I'm not, I swear! It's just that I don't support this method you're trying to use.""Is this still about Chris? Oh my goodness Van, I already told you not to worry about it. It's not like I'm getting married to him or anything like that!""Okay so why do you keep pushing me away?! I was worried sick about you all day. It's been two whole days and you won't return any of my calls, and all my texts are left unreplied. Ivy, it's not fair." When Ivy told him she intended to pay a visit to her foster parents that Chris had found for her, Van cound hardly believe it. Until she got dressed and left the next morning. "It's not fair? Why won't you at least try to understand what I'm going through. I know it might be hard for you but
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 118. Ivy Wilson Or Bianca Miller?
Two days later and Ivy was already living with them. Sarah and Marcus Miller had two other daughters. One was eighteen years, while the other was fifteen. Somehow it all still felt like a dream to Ivy, not only had she found the people who took care of her, she had also gained two baby sisters, and they seemed to like her. The eighteen year old, Rosie, was calm and quiet. She hardly talked and she loved to be by herself. While the fifteen year old, Laura had a more outgoing and sassy personality, like Macy. Thinking about Macy always took Ivy's mind back to Van, and it made her feel sad. She remembered the last time she saw him, he had looked so hurt. Were they really over just like that?Ever since their fight, he hadn't called or texted. Ivy suspected that he might have even gone back to Brimseville. She knew she was the one who asked him to go, but she wished he didn't. Before, her mind was set on finding her foster parents because she thought it was the key to ultimate happi
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 119. The Decision
"There is absolutely no way that I am getting married to Chris." Ivy refused vehemently. "What? Why not? Aren't you two friends?""Maybe, we might be. But marriage is not in our journey.""How would you know? I say we give him a trial.""We? You're not the one who's going to live with him. Look, I appreciate what you're trying to do but I don't need help in choosing a new husband. I'm vey much satisfied with the one I have at the moment.""Bianca, don't be like this. You should know I would never suggest him if he was a bad person.""No actually, I don't know!" Ivy yelled out in frustration. "Listen, I get that you're tying to act all motherly and stuff, but not in this aspect. Please." Thinking she might have been too harsh, Ivy lowered her voice and added. "I really appreciate you looking out for me, really I do. It's just that Chris and I can't be together. It can't be possible in a million years.""And where is this husband you claim to have?" Sarah had a slight frown on her face
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186. The Fire
When Ivy heard the first round of gunshots, she felt like her heart had stopped. A cold, paralyzing dread wrapped itself around her chest, making it hard to breathe. She knew she was supposed to run or at least try to hide, but her fear kept her rooted in place, her legs frozen, her mind screaming but her body refusing to respond.She saw Anae fall—her body jerking back with the impact, then crumpling lifelessly to the ground. Blood spread out beneath her like ink on paper. Ivy wanted to scream, to run to her, to do something—anything—but her limbs betrayed her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, silent and hot, blurring her vision. Her entire body trembled as the horror unfolded before her.She was afraid—more afraid than she had ever been. She had always known the risks, knew that pushing for the truth, for answers, would make her enemies among the higher-ups. But she had never truly considered what the consequences might look like. Not like this. Not in gunfire and bloodshed. Not in A
185. Set Up
It was obvious Anae was skeptical about helping them—Van could see it in her eyes, in the stiffness in her shoulders, in the way her fingers hovered near the concealed blade on her hip. Maybe she thought they’d been sent by the company to find out what she knew—and eliminate her, once and for all.But something about Van made her hesitate. Something about the way he stood, not too close, not too far. The way he spoke—not pushing, not demanding. And his eyes… they didn’t carry the coldness of a corporate enforcer. They held a kind of warmth Anae hadn’t seen in a long time. It made her want to trust him, even if her instincts screamed otherwise.Not only was he attractive—his perfectly lined jaw, the softness of his expression, the kind of eyes that looked like they'd seen too much—but he also had a way with words. He didn’t speak like someone trying to convince her. He spoke like someone who understood. After being isolated from people for so long, Anae found herself aching to feel hum
184. Anae II
The road to Albany was long and uneventful, and the silence in the car grew heavier with every mile they drove. Ivy couldn’t stop thinking about the name Anae Voss. There was something haunting about it—sharp and distant, like a forgotten memory trying to claw its way back.They arrived on the edge of the city just after ten AM, when the streets had started coming alive slowly. Van had a location: a converted warehouse on the outskirts, near the old rail yards. The neighborhood looked half-forgotten—graffiti-covered brick walls, boarded-up storefronts, old industrial fences rusting under the weight of years.“She's in there?” Ivy asked, eyeing the building.“She was, forty-eight hours ago,” Van said. “No guarantees. But according to the result of the extensive research we did, someone’s living off-grid inside.”Elias shifted uncomfortably. “She won’t like being found.”“Then let’s not give her a reason to shoot first,” Ivy muttered.They approached cautiously, parking a block away and
183. Anae
The hours crawled by.The city outside Van’s office never really slept, but up here on the twelfth floor, it felt like time was holding its breath. The room had settled into a heavy, anxious quiet. Van worked at one of his monitors, his face lit in ghostly blue. Ivy sat near Elias, trying to keep her mind from spiraling.She kept thinking about that moment in the car, the way the SUV had clung to their tail like a shadow. She thought about her aunt, about what might have happened if they hadn’t realized they were being followed. And she kept hearing Van’s words in her head:You have to assume they might have weapons.She hadn’t told her aunt anything. And now she couldn’t. Not until she knew it was safe. If it would ever be safe again.Elias had dozed off briefly, but his sleep was shallow and restless. He stirred often, his lips moving with unheard words. Ivy watched him, her heart aching. He looked younger like this. Softer. The fear and guilt stripped away for just a moment.Van br
182. More Secrets
“What?” Ivy thought she didn't hear him correctly. “It's okay. It's safe.” That was the only explanation he gave as he grabbed his jacket and headed out. They drove down the highway for a while before he swirled off to a street that Ivy had never been to. She thought about about saying something to lighten up the mood but eventually decided against it. They drove through the unfamiliar neighborhood for about thirty minutes before he parked in front of a simple looking building. On the door of the building, a ‘keep away’ sign was hanged, but of course it didn't keep Van from pushing the foor open. It was stark, utilitarian, but something about it felt like a bunker. A safe haven in a war zone.The three of them walked in, with Van leading. Seated on the couch was a dark skinned man with a cigarette in his mouth. “You weren’t followed?” he asked immediately.“I don’t think so,” Van said. “I was very careful on the way.”The man nodded, ushering them inside. “Lock the door behind
181. A Mafia Lord?
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing a dimly lit corridor lined with glass-walled offices. Van’s was at the end, a deep black door keeping the contents behind it a mystery. Elias was the one who knocked on the door and when Ivy saw the person who opened it, her face contorted into a frown. The lady standing before her was dressed in a black fitted mini dress that outlined the curves and edges of her body well. In Ivy's opinion, the dress was much too short and too revealing to wear to work, so she concluded that she wasn't a staff. “Are you coming in?” She asked and Ivy realized she had been staring. Smiling politely, she walked into the large office with Elias following right behind her. It didn't take long before she spotted Van, he stood by window with his back turned to them. Even without seeing his face, it wasn't hard to tell that Van was a very attractive man. He was on the phone, and judging by the way he was waving his arm around, Ivy suspected that h
180. The Chase
The headlights behind them hadn’t wavered for miles. Ivy tightened her grip on the steering wheel, trying to keep her breathing steady as she turned onto a quieter side street. The car behind them turned too. Her heart skipped. Once could be coincidence. Twice… She stole a glance at the rearview mirror. The vehicle maintained a steady distance, close enough to keep them in sight, far enough not to alarm casual onlookers.“Elias, I think we’re being followed,” she said quietly. Elias immediately snapped his head toward her. “What?”“I think they’ve been on us since the main highway. I tried to shake them a few turns back, but they’re still there.” she explained. His face drained of color. He ran a hand through his hair, fingers trembling. “It’s them. It has to be. Ivy, if they catch us—”“They won’t,” she said firmly, although her voice cracked on the last word. She pulled the car over and let a black SUV speed past—only to have it slow down a block ahead and pull over too. Confirmed
179. Missing
Moses sat in his office, the steady ticking of the antique clock on the wall matching the rhythm of his thoughts. He stared at the documents sprawled across his desk, none of which made any sense anymore. The Hartley meeting had been a disaster—he didn't expect things to escalate that much. But he wasn't even botherd that much by it, what he was more concerned about was the fact that since that day, Bianca had disappeared from his life like a ghost retreating into the shadows.He hadn’t seen her. He hadn’t heard from her. Not a call. Not a text. Not even one of those curt voice notes she used to send when she was annoyed with him but still too fond to stay silent. The silence was deafening, and more than anything, it was suspicious.Bianca’s parents, especially her mother, were not ones to sit back and allow things to fall apart without putting up a fight. If her mother hadn't already tried to "talk sense into her,"as she would put it,then the world had surely turned upside down."Wha
178. Elias
Flashback Two years earlier.The rain had been relentless that night—cold, insistent, and loud enough to mask the sound of approaching footsteps.Elias Grant stood alone in his office at JK Enterprises, the screen of his laptop casting a soft glow across his face. Financial reports, transaction logs, security footage timestamps—all of it laid bare in front of him. He had finally seen enough.He had been CFO for six years. Long enough to earn the family's trust, long enough to know which stones not to turn. But curiosity was a dangerous thing.Especially in a family like the Wilsons.The numbers hadn’t added up for months. Offshore payments disguised as consulting fees. A Cayman shell company with a fake board. Richard Wilson’s name never appeared directly—but his fingerprints were all over the transactions.Elias had started to put together a private dossier. He never told Ivy. Not yet. She was too close, too vulnerable. And he didn’t trust the board—or anyone else.That night, he co
