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From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 86. The Beach
Ivy frowned but she didn't say anything else because the bus had arrived, and it would only be pointless and embarrassing to fight on the bus. The ride home was quiet and it felt longer than it should be. Ivy knew something was up, Van would never get so worked up over nothing. She wasn't trying to insinuate that he was cheating on her or anything like that, she just wanted to know what happened between he and that lady. The rest of the day was ruined for Ivy and she couldn't even eat. Van didn't say a word to her, and she didn't bother to ask him anymore. The silence in the house was killing her, and she desperately needed to clear her head. "Where are you going?" Van demanded as she walked towards the entrance. "Nowhere." She replied without looking at him. "Ivy, about what happened this morning –""It's nothing right? That's what you said, isn't it? Yeah, I've heard." She slammed the door as she walked out. The night was fast approaching so Ivy didn't want to venture too far
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 87. Doubt
Ivy had been gone for more than an hour, and Van was starting to get worried. He didn't like the fact that she was alone outside when that pervert was probably still looking for her. The fact that they fought also didn't help in putting his mind at rest. He decided that he was going to go and look for her. He should have just told her the truth when she asked about Cynthia earlier. Van wasn't cheating on Ivy, and he didn't have the intention of ever doing so, he just didn't know why he was so hesitant to tell her about it. He grabbed his coat and went outside but he was shocked to find Cynthia seated on the porch. "You, again? What the hell do you want from me?" He questioned angrily. "I thought I already made myself clear when I said I wanted nothing to do with you.""Relax tough guy, I'm not here to seduce you or anything. Just think of me as a friend for now." She smiled, rising to her feet. "What do you want?""Here." She handed him her phone. Van was reluctant to take it at
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 88. Helpless Romantic
Van had to take a moment to understand what Ivy meant by her statement. "No." He said firmly. "Ivy, I made a mistake, I know I did. But you can't break up with me, not because of this. I am sorry, I was an asshole, I should have talked to you, I should have told you the truth, I don't know why I didn't. But I swear to you, there is absolutely nothing between us.""Van, that still isn't a clear answer.""Okay, you're right. Look, I met her at the grocery store and she helped me pick the milk when I told you I'd go shopping that day, and when she tried to ask for my number, I clearly told her that I was married and didn't want anything to do with her. But I don't know if she's trailing me but I've been running into her almost everywhere. Honestly, it's tiring. I am so sorry I didn't say anything when you asked. I should have told you about her right from the first day, I just never thought she would be a persistent problem.""So she's just another Chris?""Yeah, I guess.""Van, I'm sor
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 89. Girl's Secret
"What?!""I know, it's a big deal. Jasper said he doesn't like the fact that he has to ask me for money whenever he needs it, so I thought, 'why not operate on a joint account?' that way, he wouldn't have to ask me when he needs money.""Wait, I don't understand. Why does he ask you for money?""I already told you, his parents are trying to teach him a lesson on discipline, they're not giving him enough money. I really think that's stupid by the way. Why restrict your son's account just because you want to teach him something?"Ivy had to act fast, if they opened a joint account, there would be no stopping him from taking all her money, and he'd just disappear. But she couldn't come out and say something like that without proof. "Macy, let's tell Van." If Van was aware, she would be able to tell him her worries about Jasper, and he might be able to help. "What? No. Ivy, you promised.""No Macy, hear me out. If I tell Van, I know how I'm going to convince him so he'll be on your side
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 90. Unwanted Guest
"Ugh, why am I so bored without Ivy?" Van laid on the couch, staring at the ceiling in utter boredom. Ivy had been gone for barely an hour, and yet he felt like he had been alone for the whole day. He wanted to text her or maybe give her a call to know when she would be back, but he eventually decided not to. Maybe he wouldn't think about her so much if he took a nap. He closed his eyes but he knew he couldn't fall asleep that easily. He heard someone at the door and immediately shot up. "Ivy?" He practically ran to the door, expecting to see her smiling face but he was disappointed when he saw the smirking face of someone else. "What are you doing here?"The only reply he got was a slight giggle. "I thought I already made myself clear that I don't want you around me. You really are pushing it, Cynthia.""Relax big guy, I only came here to tell you something."When she spoke, the first thing that hit Van was the strong stench of alcohol. She was drunk, and that could be troubles
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 91. Scheming
When he heard Ivy's voice, he immediately pushed Cynthia off, and shot to his feet. Finally he understood her plan, she must have spotted Ivy approaching the house, so she decided to pull that devious stunt. "Oh wow, I don't think I've had this much fun with a guy in a while. Van, you sure are something." Cynthia smiled, licking her lips, then she shifted her gaze to Ivy. "Oh, you're here. Sorry you had to find out like this but, Van and I are having sex. And it's more than that, he loves me." She giggled at Ivy's frowning face. "Van, why the hell is there a naked girl in our house?" There was no hint of anger in Ivy's voice, but Van could see it in her eyes that she was pissed. He turned to look at Lia and that was when he noticed what she was wearing, nothing. She wore a flared mini skirt with nothing underneath, and a bikini top. "Ivy, it's not what you think." He didn't know if she would believe him, heck if he was the one who saw her with a half naked man, he would have his
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 92. Not Good Enough
"I thought long and hard about what you said," Macy said, staring out the window. "Jasper is not going to like it when he finds out but, I guess it's worth a try since you said you'll talk to Van." She turned her attention to Ivy when she didn't get a reply. "Hey, did you hear me? I said I'm willing to do things your way now. We can tell Van." "Oh that's awesome. Did you tell Jasper?" "Oh my God, Ivy, did you even hear a word I said?" Ivy only stared blankly at her face so she continued. "I said I know Jasper's not going to like it when he finds out… so that means I didn't tell him." "Oh okay, that's good." Ivy hadn't been able to get the drama with Cynthia out of her mind. She still found it annoying and somewhat absurd that a stranger was completely swooned by a man to the extent that she would go to such lengths. Her words seemed to ring in Ivy's head. 'He doesn't love you.' She had never been doubtful of Van's affection towards her. More recently, he almost felt like an
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 93. The Replacement
"Cynthia, it seems you might not be good enough for this job." "What?""So I have made the decision to replace you.""What?!"Cynthia had never failed in seducing a man or separating a couple before, it was what she knew how to do best. Now Chris was trying to replace her. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, you're probably just losing your touch, that's all." Chris said nonchalantly. "Oh and not to worry, I have no intention of collecting the payment I made to you. Consider that as a… bonus for the time you spent.""I can break him, I just know I can!""There is no shame in losing Cynthia , give this one up.""No! I'm good at what I do, I'm the best. Who could possibly replace me?""Funny you should ask," he took out his phone and made a call. "Let her in."Almost immediately, the door pushed open and a slender, curvy woman walked in. "Cynthia , I'm sure you're familiar with Sandra."Cynthia's eyes widened as she saw her. She was immediately filled with nostalgic memories and feeling
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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
