"Vivienne? What a tacky name," someone sneered.


    "Exactly. Let me tell you, men love exotic names."


    Ivy suppressed the irritation bubbling inside her. Normally, she despised escorts like these women, but today, she had no choice. To get onboard the ship, she had to y along.


    For the past half month, she had been painstakingly waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.


    She knew Aurora all too well. After facing her numerous times, Ivy was acutely aware of Aurora''s uncanny luck. Years ago, even after Genevieve hired assassins to kill her multiple times, Aurora had managed to escape unscathed.


    If her n failed, Aurora would be like weeds in the field-burned by wildfire yet regrowing with the spring breeze. Ivy only had one chance, and she had to make it count.


    She''d hired a private investigator to track Aurora, hoping to find a weakness, but Aurora''s personal life was drearily monotonous.


    Every day, Aurora followed the same routine: leaving home early in the morning, heading to the office, workingte into the night, then going straight back home. asionally, she met with clients, but other than that, Aurora''s life revolved entirely around work.


    For half a month, Ivy hadn''t even seen her go shopping once. This woman seemed married to her job. How Julian could be attracted to a workaholic like her was beyond Ivy''sprehension.


    Finally, today brought a breakthrough. The private investigator called with news.


    "Tonight, Aurora will attend a banquet."


    "What kind of banquet?" Ivy''s ears perked up. Crowded events meant chatter and distractions-ideal conditions to act.


    "A luxury cruise g. Word is, it''s hosted by a big name in the beauty industry, inviting top professionals. Aurora has already confirmed her attendance."


    "Send me the location."


    "Sure, I''ll text it to your pher. But this banquet is strict-you need an invitation to get in," the detective added.


    "You can get me one, can''t you?" Ivy pressed. If he mentioned the requirement, it meant he had a way around it.


    "I can, but you know how this line of work is. Connections cost money. That invitation..."


    "An extra ten thousand," Ivy offered without hesitation.


    "Deal. I''ll drop the invitation off for youter."


    "No need. Leave it at a convenience store instead," Ivy replied. She had no intention of revealing her identity.


    "Got it. By the way, how much longer do you need me to tail her? Shouldn''t we settle the previous bill first?"


    Ivy''s eyes shed cold. Tonight would be the end of Aurora.


    "Fine. For the past half month and the invitation, I''ll wire you fifty thousand. Send me your ount details."


    "Now that''s what I like-straightforward clients."


    "Keep my surveince on Aurora confidential."


    "Don''t worry, boss. In this business, client privacy is our priority." The detective rambled on a bit more before hanging up.


    Soon after, he sent Ivy all the necessary details. Her cover for boarding the ship? An escort. Ivy didn''t care about appearances anymore.


    "Mom, I won''t be home tonight. Rest well and don''t wait up for me," Ivy said. She didn''t know how things would turn out-if she could kill Aurora, it would be perfect. But


    if she failed, who knew what consequences awaited her.


    "Where are you going? Mio''s already back in New York."


    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! "An old friend invited me to hang out. We''re going on a cruise and won''t return until tomorrow morning," Ivy replied, mixing truth with lies.


    "Alright, take care of yourself. Oh, by the way, your visa has arrived."


    "Got it. Mom, Zach lost all his money gambling again. You don''t have anything left, do you? Here, take this. I have a few thousand for you."


    Mio Walsh had given her one hundred thousand, calling it pocket money. In reality, it was funding for her mission to take down Aurora.


    In this world, how could you aplish anything without money? Mio had nned every step meticulously, while Ivy had unknowingly walked into his trap like prey ensnared in a hunter''s.


    "Where did you get so much money?"


    "Mio gave it to me. Just take it. If I ever leave, make sure Zachary finds a job. You''ve worked hard your whole life-you deserve to rest. Let Zachary support you now."


    "Listen to you! Talking like an adult already. Your visa''s only for travel, so you won''t be staying in New York long. Why are you acting like you''re nevering back? Besides, you''re not leaving today."


    "Yeah, I''m just saying. Mom, take care of yourself. I''m heading out."


    Ivy turned back to hug Genevieve briefly. "Thank you."


    "You silly child. You''ll be back tomorrow morning-why all this drama?"


    "Yes, tomorrow morning," Ivy said softly before leaving.


    Disguised as an escort, she boarded the cruise ship. Around her were women clearly there to seduce men, each one mocking her.


    "Look at you, all covered up. Who''s going to notice you? Men here like big chests and long legs. If you''ve got a big chest, wear a low-cut dress. If you''ve got long legs, wear a short skirt. Show off your assets!"


    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! "And your name-ugh, so in. Change it to something French. Tell them you studied art in France. Men eat that up."


    "If you weren''t ''one of us,'' we wouldn''t even bother giving you these tips."


    The women chattered away, offering unsolicited advice. Ivy never imagined she''d one day find herself discussing things like this with escorts.


    "Thanks," she murmured absentmindedly. Her focus was entirely on Aurora.


    "Hey! What''s with you? We''re helping you, and you''re just zoning out?"


    "I''m just thinking about something. Don''t mind me. Go on-I''m still getting used to all this," Ivy replied.


    "Getting used to it? Oh, you will. When I first started, I felt awkward too. But eventually, you adapt."


    "Adapt?" Ivy sneered. "I''ll never adapt to this."


    She nced toward Aurora, who was surrounded by elites. Everyone greeted Aurora


    with cautious respect, their gazes full of admiration.


    The disparity was something Ivy would never ept. Once Aurora was dead, everything would be hers. She would marry Mio Walsh, who would be the head


    of the R family, and she would be his wife.


    From then on, she''d live a life of luxury, ensuring Genevieve and Zachary had everything they needed. It was what Aurora owed her.


    Aurora nced briefly in Ivy''s direction, but a group of women blocked her view.


    "Miss Montgomery, what are you looking at?" Heather asked, noticing Aurora''s lingering gaze.


    "Nothing," Aurora replied. From the moment she arrived, she had felt someone''s eyes on her. Her intuition was never wrong.


    Perhaps it was just her imagination. With so many peopleing and going, it wasn''t unusual for someone to be curious about her.


    "The wind is strong out here. Let''s head inside. I''ve already got the room keys-let''s drop off our things first," Heather suggested.