Ivy was humming a tune as she got ready for work when a knock sounded at her door. "Yes, Aunt?"


    "I need you in the living room now," her aunt replied, her tone urgent.


    Ivy brushed her hair and wore her ts. She was in a very good mood after spending the night with Ss.


    Last night reminded her that she was still a pretty woman who a handsome man found alluring enough to spend the night with


    She arranged her bag, humming as she prepared for work without hurry. When she entered the living room, her good mood vanished as she saw her father and Cole. "Dad?" she said, startled.


    "I told you I don''t want you around me! Why were you asking your brother for money!" her father yelled.


    Ivy''s cheeks flushed as she nced between her father and Cole. "I''m..sorry. I just needed something to start up my-"


    "I don''t care!" her father interrupted. “I asked a million times if you loved that idiot, and you said you did, You gave him everything, and he ruined you." His bitterness was palpable.


    That''s enough, Patrick," her aunt chided. "She''s gone through enough. We''re supposed to correct her with love."


    "You can do that," her father sneered. "I don''t have any more love to give her."


    Ivy bit her lip to hold back her tears. She had brought it upon herself; she''d trusted Mason, and he''d let her down. She couldn''t me her father for his anger. "Be kind with your words," her aunt cautioned.


    "I didn''te here to be lectured, May," her father said, giving Ivy a look of pure disdain. "I came here to warn you: if you ever disturb your brother for my money again, I''ll have you arrested,


    Ivy looked away, silent.


    "You can keep her now," her father said to her aunt. "She''s no longer my daughter. I disown you, disgraceful child."


    "Dad..." Ivy''s voice trailed as he left.


    "I''m so sorry.


    so sorry, Ivy. He found our, Cole murmured before following their father.


    Ivy sank into the couch, barely holding tears in ce.


    Her aunt sat beside her and hugged her. "I''m so sorry, my dear," she said softly. "Til talk to your father-he''ll-"


    "No," Ivy shook her head. "I deserve this,"


    "No, you don''t," May tightened her embrace. "You trusted the wrong man. It''s not your fault, my sweet girl"


    Images of Mason and pregnant Cheryl shed through her mind. She didn''t want to dwell on their betrayal, or her father''s rejection.


    She just wanted to bury herself in work and hold onto the memory of her night with a beautiful stranger.


    "I need to go to work, Aunt May," Ivy said, standing up.


    "Should I pack you some breakfast? I made toast," May offered.


    "I don''t have an appetite," Ivy replied emotionlessly. Before her aunt had


    anything to say, she dashed out of the house. "See youter,


    Once Ivy arrived at work, she went straight to the locker room. She looked at herself in the mirror, determined. She was done feeling sorry for herself. She was going to prove them all wrong-her father, Cheryl Mason-all of them.


    As she walked out, one of the girls at work stopped her "Hey, Ivy. Thu called for you. She''s in her office."


    "Thanks" Ivy replied, stering on a smile.


    Ivy made her way to the manager''s office, wondering how much Tinu was going


    to deduct for her absence yesterday.


    10:14 AM


    "Hey, Tina," she greeted as she opened the door. "You called for me!"


    "Yes, Tina said tly. "You''re fired. Turn in your uniform and other items."


    Ivy''s eyes widened. "Fired? Just for missing a shift?"


    "No. Because I can," Tina smirked. "And because I got a good offer to kick you "Who paid you to do this?" Ivy asked, stunned.


    out


    Tina''s gaze sharpened. "Miss Cheryl. Now, drop your things and leave the premises,"


    Ivy left Tina''s office, too stunned to be angry at Cheryl''s action.


    As she packed her items, her phone chimed with a message from Cheryl: Happy job hunting with a smiley face!


    Ivy braced herself. The day had gone worse than she had expected, she-—a daughter of a restaurateur-was now fired from a shabby


    restaurant.


    She wasn''t going to cry. Whatever situation she finds herself in, she would embrace it and move forward. Ivy handed in her things, walking out with no single n in mind.


    She


    e was down the road, lost in thoughts, when a car pulled up beside her and a hefty man stepped out.


    "Mrs Hunter-Miss Scott. You have toe with me, he said


    Ivy gave the man a cautious look. "It''s just Ivy," she said bitterly. She was not a Hunter-and probably not a Scott anymore. "You''ll have to try harder than that," she said, already walking away.


    -Mr. Ss wants to see you."


    Ivy froze mid-step and turned. "Ss?"


    "Yes, ma''am," the man nodded, pointing to the car.


    There was nothing left for her-she could either go home and cry herself to sleep


    or follow this stranger to meet another stranger-she


    chose thetter.


    The man drove through town, and shortly after, they arrived at a towering building, Ivy bit her lip as she stepped out, feeling underdressed for this meeting.


    The man led her to an elevator. She stepped inside, and soon they reached a spacious office area.


    "He''s in there," the man gestured to a gold door with a que that read Ss Stone.


    Ivy swallowed as she pushed the door opened. It was him-the hazel-eyed stranger, though his eyes now looked furious.


    "Hello," Ivy smiled sheepishly at him as he stood up and approached her.


    "What did Mason ask you to get from me?" He grabbed her hand, pulling her to


    him.


    Ivy saw the fury in his eyes. "What?"


    He tightened his grip. "You think you can charm me and fool me?"


    "You''re hurting me," she cried.


    He released his grip but didn''t let her go. "Answer mel?


    Ivy flinched. "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    "Thi talking about Mason, your husband. What did he send you for?"


    "He didn''t send me anything, and he''s my ex-husband now," she exined, trying to pull away.


    "Liar!" he yelled, his voice echoing in the room. "He sent you to get i


    information from me, right?"


    Ivy felt a surge of hurt and disgust. He thought she had slept with hims to get something? "You''re despicable!" she yelled, angry enough


    10:14 AM


    to free herself. "Why would I need anything from you? Who even are you?"


    "I''m Ss Stone," he announced and then his name clicked.


    He was billionaire Ss, the other half of the Stone brothers. She knew who his brother was because Mason wouldn''t shut up about how he wanted to surpass Thomas.


    It was partly why she invested in Mason- so he could stop yapping about how Thomas was buying all the ces and making more


    money.


    "It makes sense now," she muttered, stepping back. "You think I slept with you for information?"


    "I wouldn''t know," Ss said, his tone harsh but his eyes softening. "Your husband


    got


    got information n to frame my brother for fraud."


    "Ex-husband," she corrected. "And he''s with my best friend now." She was annoyed that there was still conversation surrounding Mason "And I didn''t know that. I don''t work for Mason. If you thought I did, well sorry to disappoint you," she said, turning to leave.


    "Prove it." he challenged.


    She halted, looking back at him. "Prove what?"


    He moved closer, his hazel eyes now holding the expression she sawst night.


    "Prove to me that you don''t work for Mason."


    She folded her hands. "How exactly would I do that?"


    "Marry-me."


    Ivy threw her head inughter. "I can''t marry you. That''s absurd."


    Ss marched to his table and took out a file. "If it''s true that Mason is now with your best friend, then do it. A contract marriage for six months." He handed her the file. "He framed my brother. He cheated on you. Let''s take our revenge on him."


    Ivy took the file, her heart pounding with excitement. He waspelling again, and she found herself liking the idea. But then she hesitated. "No, no. 1 can''t. She handed him the file back.


    He moved closer to her, his voice resonating. "What do you want? Money? Power? I''ll make you the most powerful woman in California


    Ivy considered his offer, then she remembered her struggles-her pain. "What''s in


    it for you?"


    Ss chuckled. "Publicity I need to create a distraction for my brother, Think about your photography business—I''ll make it the biggest in the country," he said calmly.


    And that did it-that won Ivy over. "Give me the pen."


    Ss smiled, pleased. He handed her a pen.


    Ivy walked to the table, opened the file, nced through and signed. She handed


    him the file back:


    "Congrattions, Mrs. Stone," Ss whispered, his fingers brushing hers as he took the signed document. "The world awaits you."