If it were in the past, Kyle wouldn''t have cared about Ivy''s life or death. Any woman who walked out of the vi ceased to matter to him.


    Today was an exception. After all, it was the first day of the new year. Even if someone came to visit him, they wouldn''t show up in the early hours of the morning. Yet Ivy had waited outside all night.


    In the study, Kyle sat by the desk and spoke coldly. "Sit."


    Every move he made radiated a chilling aura. If Mio Walsh was a warm sun, then Kyle was like cold, unfeeling lightning-void of any warmth or emotion.


    But Ivy had forgotten one thing. Even the warm sun, whileforting, could not be approached recklessly. To do so was to be a moth to a me, destined to be burned to ashes.


    Ivy didn''t dare to sit. Instead, she knelt and pleaded. "Mr. Raymond, I beg you to help me."


    She had waited the entire night for him to wake. Kyle wasn''t naive enough to believe she hade to wish him a happy new year. If not that, then she must have a request.


    "Speak," Kyle said curtly. He had always been a man of few words, especially with women who shared nomon ground with him.


    Those in his line of work survived by swift, decisive action. Hesitation would have long since gotten them killed. His past had shaped the man he was now.


    "My brother gambled away all his money at your casino. He still owes five million dors. My family can''te up with that amount right now, so I was hoping..."


    "You want me to waive the five million because of the time you spent with me?" Kyle interrupted.


    Ivy couldn''t discern his emotions from his cold, impassive expression. Kyle''s features were always sharp and unyielding, even in moments of intimacy.


    There had been times when Ivy wondered if he was made of ice. Only the sweat on his body and his reactions during climax had proved he was human. Otherwise, she might have believed he felt nothing at all.


    Now, as he sat before her, his thoughts remained unreadable. Having spent time by his side, Ivy knew Kyle came from immense wealth. He had never been stingy with the women around him, which was why so many sought his attention.


    Kyle had once spent fifteen million dors at an auction to buy a ruby for Aurora. Five million was nothing to him.


    But Ivy wasn''t by his side anymore. Would he still help her?


    "I... I can borrow it from you first," Ivy ventured cautiously, testing his reaction. "I''ll pay you back when I have the money."


    Five million was no small sum for her now. If Kyle refused, she would sell her house to repay him. As long as he agreed to help, she''d find a way.


    "Pay me back when you have money? From what I know, you''re no longer connected to the Montgomery family. You can''te up with five million. It seems you have no intention of repaying me," Kyle said, ncing at his watch.


    Ivy hadn''t expected him to see through her so quickly. She had indeed hoped to avoid repayment. That n was clearly not going to work.


    "I don''t have cash on hand, but my brother and I own two luxury apartments. Selling them would be enough to cover the debt. But it''s the first day of the new year- nobody''s buying property right now. Sir, I beg you to help me. If you don''t trust me, I''ll write you an IOU.


    Once I sell the apartments, I''ll repay you in full. I just need your help to get my brother through this. If I can''t pay in three days, he''s done for."


    Ivy was desperate. She didn''t care if she lost everything, as long as her family remained intact. She couldn''t bear to lose another loved one.


    Kyle remained silent, and Ivy pressed on. "Sir, with your power, I wouldn''t dare to y any tricks. I''vee to you because I have no other choice. Five million is nothing to you, but it''s everything to me. I swear I''ll repay you. Please, save my brother."


    She even kowtowed to Kyle, finally understanding the humiliation of being powerless and at the mercy of others.


    "To me, five million is indeed a small amount," Kyle said atst. "And since the casino belongs to me, I could erase your brother''s debt with a single word."


    Ivy''s eyes lit up with hope. "So, does that mean you''ll help me, sir?"


    "I''ll ask you one question. Just answer truthfully."


    "Yes, sir. Ask me anything. I''ll tell you everything I know," Ivy replied eagerly. Kyle''s gaze swept over the woman kneeling before him. "Thest time Aurora''spany had trouble with their perfumeunch, was it your doing?"


    Ivy hadn''t expected this question. Her expression faltered. "That... wasn''t it Miss Gilpin? All the media reported it. Aurora''s still suing 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! "Liar," Kyle said sharply. "You think I don''t know you were the one who pushed Lindsay Gilpin into it? Without your maniption, she wouldn''t have acted as she did. You just imed you''d tell me everything, yet you''re trying to deceive me."


    Left with no choice, Ivy confessed. "Yes, sir, it was me. Back then, you brought her back


    to the vi. I could tell she was different to you. I was jealous of her.


    To be honest, everything I''ve lost is because of Aurora. I hate her. That''s why I convinced Lindsay to go after her. I didn''t expect Lindsay to fail so quickly.


    Sir, I know you care about her, but Aurora is nothing but a shameless woman who seduces men. From Clothville to New York, the men connected to her are countless."


    "You''re jealous," Kyle said bluntly.


    "Yes, I''m jealous of her. But I hate her more. I did it, sir. But surely you won''t punish me for something I did to a woman who has nothing to do with you?"


    Kyle let out a coldugh. "Nothing to do with me? Do you know she''s the woman I admire? Crossing her means crossing me.


    I said before that helping you would be easy for me. But I see no reason to do it. Leave."


    Ivy shook her head frantically. "Sir, I beg you. I was wrong. Aurora''s fine, isn''t she? I only have one brother. If I lose him, my mother-who''s already in poor health-will copse.


    I''ve already lost so much. I can''t lose my brother too. Please, sir. I''ll write you an IOU with interest. Just help me this once..."


    "Time''s up," Kyle said, looking away from his watch. "Ivy, you shouldn''t have touched her."


    With that, he turned and left.