In the early hours of New Year''s Day, Ivy made her way to Kyle''s vi while everyone was still fast asleep. The security guards, having recognized her from before, did not stop her but instead informed the butler.


    The butler, already in bed, was awakened by the guard''s urgent report. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes and throwing on a robe, he went to the door and was surprised to see Ivy standing there.


    "Miss Montgomery, what brings you here at this hour?" he asked courteously, though Ivy had long since been dismissed from the vi. His tone remained polite, showing no trace of displeasure.


    "I''m sorry to disturb you sote, but I must see Mr. Raymond. It''s a matter of great urgency," Ivy replied earnestly.


    "The master has already gone to bed. Perhaps you could wait until morning? There are empty guest rooms avable. Miss Montgomery, why not rest for the night and see him first thing tomorrow?" the butler offered.


    "But this is really important," Ivy insisted. "Please, I need to see him now."


    The butler hesitated. "The master has only just fallen asleep. Being awakened abruptly will surely put him in a bad mood. Whatever the matter, it might be best to wait until morning. When the master is angry, no one can calm him."


    "Then... I''ll wait here until he wakes up," Ivy said, resigned. She had no other choice. If it weren''t for the urgent danger Zachary was in, she wouldn''t have riskeding here in the middle of the night.


    The butler, observing her determination, tried again to persuade her. "The nights are cold, Miss Montgomery. The room you used to stay in is still vacant. You should rest there. Catching a cold would only make things worse."


    Over the years, the butler had seen many women who had been dismissed from the vi attempt to return. But he remembered that Ivy had left cleanly, without any drama or lingering attachments. It was New Year''s Day, and her anxious arrival at this hour was unlikely to be a plea to return but rather a request for help.


    The butler had worked with Kyle for many years and was no ordinary man. A mere nce at Ivy told him all he needed to know.


    Before meeting Mio Walsh, Ivy had little hope for life and had followed Kyle without much care. But her chance encounter with Mio in Rome had changed everything. For the first time, she felt warmth, and when Kyle ordered her to leave, she did so without hesitation. Mio''s appearance had been a turning point for her. She couldn''t bring herself to reconnect with Kyle, not even for one night.


    "No, thank you," Ivy declined the butler''s offer. "I came back only to see Mr. Raymond. There''s a heater in the living room. I''ll just sit there for the night."


    The butler, seeing her insistence, finally relented. "Very well, Miss Montgomery. Please make yourselffortable. I''ll excuse myself now."


    "Thank you for your understanding," Ivy said.


    "This is my duty," the butler replied with a yawn before retreating.


    Ivy sat on the living room sofa, clutching a pillow. She called Genevieve to check in.


    "Ivy, why aren''t you home yet? It''s sote," Genevieve asked, her voice filled with


    concern.


    "Mom, I''m out with friends listening to the New Year''s bells in the square. The streets are packed; it''s very lively. Don''t worry about me. Go to bed early," Ivy said soothingly.


    "Your brother''s phone is off too. It''s the middle of the night, and the house is empty. I can''t sleep peacefully," Genevieveined softly.


    In just a few short months, Ivy had matured rapidly. In the past, she wouldn''t have noticed Genevieve''s struggles. But after seeing her mother go to prison to save Zachary, Ivy realized how wrong she''d been. Now, she felt nothing but heartache for Genevieve and wanted her to live a peaceful life.


    Zachary, however, seemed determined to cause trouble. Despite all that Genevieve had done for him, he continued to act recklessly, creating endless worry.


    "Mom, don''t worry. Zach told me earlier that he''s spending New Year''s with friends. You know how he loves to have fun. He''ll be fine," Ivy reassured her.


    If you''re loving the book, nel5s is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience—all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Genevieve''s health was fragile, and Ivy didn''t dare reveal the truth, fearing it would upset her. Genevieve sighed in relief. "That boy is always so yful. He never grows up."


    "This time, he''ll have to grow up," Ivy said, thinking of Zachary kneeling before her.


    In the past, no matter what trouble Zachary got into, the Montgomery family was always there to back him. Even when he owed massive debts, his creditors didn''t dare touch him. But now, without the Montgomery family''s protection, Zachary had been detained. If this experience didn''t wake him up, nothing would.


    "This time?" Genevieve caught the hint in Ivy''s words.


    "Mom, it''ste. Please go to bed. I have something to take care of here. Don''t worry about us," Ivy said, quickly changing the subject.


    "Alright,e home soon," Genevieve said, her mood lightened after the call.


    But as Ivy hung up, her expression turned bleak. How had thingse to this? Would Mr. Raymond agree to lend her five million dors? She was no longer his woman. That night was one of the most agonizing of Ivy''s life. Even with the heater in the living room, she couldn''t sleep soundly. Whenever she dozed off, she woke up almost immediately, ncing outside to check if the sky had begun to lighten. But the night dragged on, as if time itself was against her.


    She couldn''t stop worrying about Zachary. Her thoughts raced until dawn approached, and she finally closed her eyes for a brief nap.


    The sharp sound of mocking voices woke her.


    "Well, well, look who''s back. It didn''t even take her long. She''s got quite the nerve," one woman sneered.


    "Exactly. Running back on New Year''s Day? Didn''t she say she wanted a fresh start? Hrious," another chimed in.


    Several women from the vi, having woken up early, noticed Ivy and began their taunts.


    Ignoring their jeers, Ivy checked the time. Morning hade, and Kyle was always an early riser. Sure enough, as she opened her eyes, she heard his voice.


    "What are you doing here?" Kyle asked coldly.


    "Master," Ivy said as she quickly stood from the sofa. "I need to speak with you. May we talk privately?"


    Kyle nced at his watch. He had fifteen minutes before breakfast. "Follow me to the study. I''ll give you fifteen minutes."


    "Thank you, Master," Ivy said, her face lighting up with relief. At least Kyle hadn''tpletely turned her away. She had fifteen minutes to convince him.


    As Ivy followed Kyle into the study, the other women watched with sour expressions.


    "Hmph, the shameless woman''s back again," one muttered.


    "Disgusting," another added.


    Their faces were filled with disdain as they continued to gossip about Ivy.