"Do you like me?" he paused. "Why?" Her heart raced. "Because you look handsome." Amused, he said, "You are lying!" "How can you tell?" Ivy asked. "Considering your looks, I'm sure you have a lot of pursuers, and there are bound to be guys more handsome than I among them." "Fine, but sometimes chemistry is important, too. I think there's a chemistry between us," she said. "You just won't tell me the truth, huh?" he said. "That's not the point. Are you going to take your mom to Aryadelle for treatment? If you want to—" "No," he said. "I spoke to her about it, and she does not want to go anywhere else." "Your mom doesn't want to spend your money, right? I understand that," Ivy said. Back when Ivy's grandmother was ill, she would not allow Ivy to buy even generic painkillers because she wanted Ivy to save the money instead. "You're rubbing salt on my wound with that statement," Lucas said. "I'm sorry. I just want your mother to live a little longer. I can help you
Ivy heard footsteps coming from behind her, and she turned to look around to see Lucas walking toward her. "Mr. Woods!" Ivy got up and beamed at him. He frowned. "Are you stupid?" "Huh? What makes you say that?" "Why are you sitting here? Don't you have other things to do?" he asked. She shook her head. "I don't! I don't know anyone else either." "Didn't you say that you used to live here? Why don't you know anyone here?" "I wasn't particularly close to anyone, so I might as well just sit here." "It's raining," he said. "Shouldn't you at least find shelter or something?"She stretched out her hand, catching the raindrops. "It's just a drizzle. It's cool." Lucas found her peculiar and did not know how to continue the conversation, so he turned around, intending to return to the office. "Mr. Woods, please let me stay in your company! I promise not to disturb you." Ivy caught up with Lucas. "I'll be leaving in a few days, and I won't bother you anymore." Lucas turn
Lucas looked at Ivy in astonishment, while Ivy realized she had revealed too much. "Are you really not going to explain what's going on?" Lucas asked. "I know your family's housekeeper, so I know a lot about your family," Ivy replied. "You know way too much! If I didn't know any better, I'd think you used to work at our house," Lucas remarked. "Don't worry, I know a lot, but I'm tight-lipped." Ivy reassured him. Lucas stared at her face, captivated by her words. "You should get back to work. Come home early if you finish work later!" Ivy urged before running off. Ivy first went to the supermarket, bought some groceries, and then took a taxi to Lucas' house. After putting the groceries away in the kitchen, her phone rang. She picked up the call, delighted to hear her sister's voice. "Hey, Layla!" "Ivy, when are you coming back? You've only been gone for a few days, and I miss you already!" "I miss you guys, too. I'll stay here for a few more days and then head back h
Layla chuckled. "Even I haven't had the pleasure of tasting the food you've cooked, Ivy, and here you are, cooking for someone else!" "If you want to taste my cooking, I'll make some for you when I get back!" "I can't bear to have you cook for me! Cooking is hard work!" Ivy countered, "I don't mind occasionally cooking! My cooking skills aren't great, so there wasn't a point to flaunt it in front of you guys." "If Mom and Dad find out you're cooking for Lucas over there, they'll definitely get mad," Layla warned. "Don't tell them, okay? I used to be his housekeeper when I was in Taronia. I don't find cooking and cleaning difficult," Ivy said. "Alright! Since you don't find it difficult, go ahead and do whatever you want! After all, you will be back in a few days," Layla agreed. "Got it! How are you feeling, Layla? Is the baby okay?" Ivy asked. Layla laughed. "I'm doing fine, and the baby is doing great, too! Take good care of yourself out there, and remember not to reve
Ivy knew that he did not like owing people, so she presented him with the receipt for the groceries. "Just pay me for the groceries. I'm actually not that good a cook, so don't pay me too much. I'll be eating the food, too, anyway." He accepted the receipt and glanced at the price. Noticing that it cost about forty dollars, he walked toward the dining room and studied the dishes that looked rather presentable. Wondering how they tasted, he took a bite. Ivy looked at him with anticipation. "How is it? Do you like it?" "Get me a glass of water," he said. She did as she was told. "Is it too salty? Have your tastes changed?" "No. I'm just thirsty," he said. Ivy breathed a sigh of relief. "The food tastes ordinary," he commented, then took out his phone and transferred fifty dollars to Ivy. Looking at the money, Ivy could not help but laugh. "Mr. Woods, do you think my cooking is only worth ten dollars? You might as well not pay me anything at all! It's so insulting!"
Ivy never expected Archer to say such things. "Are you trying to eavesdrop on us?" Ivy asked in a hushed voice. "What are you thinking? It's late, and you're out here alone with a guy. I must protect you!" he protested. "Don't you think Lucas can protect me? He is a man, too," Ivy retorted. "What if he does something bad to you?" Archer asked. "He's not that kind of person. Now, hurry back! I'm going out with him to buy some things and then heading back to the hotel," Ivy urged, pushing Archer aside.Seeing that they were done with their conversation, Lucas strode over. "Since your companion has some free time now, let him accompany you," he said. "My companion is busy! He came to tell me that he'll be busy for the next few days and not to disturb him!" she said. Lucas glanced at Archer. Archer looked shocked as he watched Ivy, who was usually obedient and well-behaved, effortlessly lie. If Elliot and Avery saw this side of their daughter, they would be extremely surpr
When he was told of Irene's passing, he would often dream of her nightly. However, the dreams stopped when he started his company. Each minute was filled with work. Ivy's appearance had reminded him of Irene once again. Lucas' biggest regret was leaving home to study in Edelweiss without bidding farewell to Irene; he had thought that he would eventually see her again, only to be told later that he would never be able to see her again. He had left his phone behind because he wanted a new start and did not want to contact his family. Because of his actions, he had lost touch with her. Irene did not have any other friends, so he assumed that she had no one else to talk to after he left.He did not know how Irene died, or whether she suffered before her death. Every time he thought of her, he would find himself overwhelmed by regret and sorrow. He got out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash up. After washing his face, he felt more awake. A voice inside him urged him to r
The furniture was exactly how he had left it. The only difference was that it looked like no one had lived there for a long time. Lucas' room had been meticulously cleaned. All of his belongings were gone, including his clothes. As Lucas emerged from the South Block, Mr. Woods, and Mrs. Woods approached him. "Lucas, what are you looking for? Your stepmother said that you no longer need anything in there, so she had the staff throw them away. I'll get you a replacement of whatever you want!" Mr. Woods said, feeling guilty. "I had an old phone in the cabinet. What happened to that?" Lucas asked. Mr. Woods immediately turned to his wife and asked, "Did you throw away his phone, too?" Mrs. Woods looked flustered. "There was an old phone, but it was very old, the screen was cracked, and the body was chipped. I thought you didn't want it, so…" Lucas clenched his fists and walked away. Mr. Woods caught up with him. "Lucas, I'm sorry! On behalf of your stepmother, I apologize! H