"What the hell?" Ivy muttered as she made her way back to her room, seriously unsettled.


    Fine, she had attacked Ss with that usation, but that didn''t give him the right to throw her out like that


    When she finally reached her room, she slumped into her bed, her emotions all over the ce


    If Thomas was truly behind her mother''s demise, why had Cole and their father waited so long to tell her? Had they taken legal action against him? Were these usations even real, or were they just trying to manipte her choices?


    She wasn''t sure anymore. Doubt poked at her curiosity, melding with her pain.


    And Ss? She didn''t even know what to think. Was he lying? Or he simply didn''t know his brother as much as he thought he did.


    Ivy sighed aloud, exhausted by her thoughts. She picked up her phone and dialed Cole''s number, hoping he had answers that could pur her at ease. But Cole didn''t pick up, and her doubt intensified.


    She needed to find out if Thomas was truly responsible for her mother''s death- with or without Ss''s approval.


    She picked up the file, went through it, saw that Ss had made the changes and signed. She stripped out of the golden gown, ready to end the exhausting day.


    After a long, warm bath, Ivy retired for the night.


    The next morning, waking up to a bouquet of flowers and a pink diamond ne that spelled her name outside her door did little to calm her nerves or improve her impression of Ss.


    She picked up the lilies and examined the attached card. It read: I''m sorry. - Ss.


    The gesture made her blush as she ced the bags on the table in her room before heading downstairs.


    "Oh, you''re all ready," Ss said as she descended the stairs. He was dressed in a navy green shirt, standing at the bottom of the stairs.


    She wore a yellow gown, her brown hair tied neatly behind her ears. "Yes, I am,"


    "she said softly.


    "How was y


    your night?" Ss asked, a glint of guilt in his


    eyes.


    She tucked invisible hair behind her ear. "Good," she murmured.


    "Breakfast? I''m sure Bethany made something delicious," Ss said, and without waiting for her response, he led the way.


    Ivy rolled her eyes but followed him, wondering why he was acting like yesterday didn''t happen.


    The dining room was grand, with a long table set with antique tes and cutlery. "Wee to the dining room," Ss smiled. “I don''t think I''ve given you a house tour yet?


    "No, not yet," Ivy shook her head as she pulled out a chair.


    Ss pulled a chair opposite her and sat. "One of these days, I will."


    His deep voice sent a shiver down her spine. His eyes lingered on her, causing her to sh uncontrobly.


    Luckily, the door opened, and an older woman entered, pushing a trolley loaded with food.


    "Good morning, Mr. Stone," the woman smiled.


    "Morning, Bethany," Ss replied warmly.


    "Good morning. Mrs. Stone," Bethany smiled at Ivy. "I''m the cook of the house." "Oli, nice


    ce to meet you, Bethany." Ivy smiled.


    Beilmy nodded and pulled the trolley closer to her. "I hope you love bacon, ma''am?" she asked, setting the food in front of them. "I''ve made some candied bacon, poached eggs, brioche toast, and a ck truffle sauce, with strawberries on the side"


    As Bethany went on. Ivy''s stomach growled loudly, making her flush


    "Excuse


    me," she said, embarrassed.


    Ss chuckled. "She didn''t have dinnerst-we didn''t eat he trailed off.


    "There''s plenty to go round," Bethany smiled. "I hope you enjoy it."


    "I''m sure I will." Ivy smiled sheepishly.


    Bethany nodded, leaving the room with the trolley


    Once they were alone, Ivy dugged into the meal as though she hadn''t eaten in days, savoring each bite.


    "Did you like the gifts?" Ss asked hesitantly.


    Ivy felt heat on her cheeks again as she nced up. "Yes, thank you," she said softly, continuing to chew.


    He returned to his food without a


    word. Momentster, he spoke again. apologize for yesterday. It


    was w


    wrong of me to assume you were talking to Mason without hearing your side of the story."


    ivy stayed silent, reaching for her ss of water.


    "I may have struck a nerve, and I''m sorry for that," he continued. "But my rules still remain. You''ll not see him without my permission. I don''t want him filling your head with terrible things about Thomas"


    Ivy wanted tough at his ignorance. Ss thought Mason had something to do with her questionsst night. She wanted to say something, but instead she smiled, with a forkful of candied bacon in her mouth. "It''s okay. I understand."


    She was going to be more cautious around Ss until she was certain he didn''t know about Thomas''s involvement. She was going to find


    out more on her own.


    Ss seemed surprised by her response. "You...you''re okay with that."


    "I apologize foring at you like that," Ivy gave a disarming smile. "I''m sorry."


    Ss scoffed with relief. "Apology epted," he said, raising his ss of water. "To us-no more fighting."


    "No more fighting." Ivyughed, clinking her ss with his.


    "So after the photoshoot, we''ll grab lunch. Is this okay? I''m sorry I didn''t ask how you feel about getting thrown into the public''s eye."


    "It''s okay. I''ve been there before"


    "Alright then," Ss smiled and returned to his food, "We''ll leave after breakfast"


    "Sure," Ivy replied, forcing a smile as she ate.


    Her ns were set in her mind. She would distance herself from all of them- Cole, her father, and Ss-until she found out the truth about her mother''s death,


    When they finished breakfast, Bethany entered and began clearing the table.


    "Thank you for the meal, Bethany. It was lovely," Ivy said, standing.


    "So d you enjoyed it," Bethany smiled.


    Ss stood as well. "Ready?"


    Ivy nodded, and together they left the dinning room to the garage. Bud and another bodyguard were waiting and they followed them to the car.


    In the car, Ivy kept her distance, maintaining a friendly conversation with Ss as


    the journey began. Soon, they arrived at their destimation, and Ss helped her


    out.


    Ivy''s eyes widened as she took in the immacte building Stepping inside, her surprise only increased at the beauty.


    Wee sir, the receptionist smiled, raising from behind her desk. "The team is ready for you


    "You ready?" Ss asked, taking Ivy''s hand as they followed the receptionist.


    Ivy nodded just as they entered a pristine white room


    "I''ll let everyone know you''re here," the receptionist said and left.


    The instant they were alone, Ss pulled Ivy into his arms. "I''ve missed you.


    Ivy didn''t expect his tone-or his touch-to stir something in her. "I didn''t go anywhere."


    He chuckled, and she felt his arousal against her stomach as his hand went


    lower.


    Don''t react! she chided herself. Yet, she was melting.


    "No.. intimacy.." she stuttered, her voice shaky..


    Ss chuckled again and leaned closer, but before his lips could meet hers, the


    door fled open


    Ah, Ss."


    Ivy tried to remove herself from Ss''s embrace, her eyes narrowing. "What is


    she doing here?”


    Ss tightened his grip on her waist. "She''s in charge of your outfits for the


    shoot."


    田