Chapter 5

• IVY
• “That Eva is getting on my nerves, Ivy. Your mother-in-law is literally a wicked one,” Windy snorted when we arrived at the mansion.
• I heaved a deep sigh and let out a smile. “Don’t mind her—”
• “Huh, if you could bear that stupid treatment,” Windy shook her head, “but not me. If it weren’t for her age, I would’ve done worse than pushing her.”
• “She’s an elder, Windy. Stop with it,” I uttered and let out a soft chuckle.
• “I don’t care. I want to teach her how to behave in front of us. A lowly people,” she asserted sarcastically. “And she even criticized the brand of my get-up?” she added.
• I sighed again. “Just ignore her. She’s nothing. And I will not let myself face that witch again,” I replied.
• Our conversations continued, and we laughed while we walked our way to the living room.
• I stopped walking when I saw my brother, Cooper, who usually doesn’t come out during the daytime. The man is sitting on the couch and reading a newspaper.
• Cooper didn’t see us, but I know he could hear our laughter. He continued scanning the newspaper. I rushed towards him and hugged him at the back. He was the one who picked me up at the hospital but vanished when he sent me to the mansion, and now, he’s here again.
• And for three years since they cut ties, I miss my brother.
• “Cooper, I missed you,” I whispered at the back of his ears and loosened the hug when he put down the newspaper and stood up as he faced my direction.
• I arched my brow. “Why did you vanish the last time you returned me here?” I asked.
• Cooper smiled and approached her.
• I throw myself on him again, hugging my brother so tightly that he returns it.
• When we got out of each other’s embrace, he let out a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I attended an important meeting,” he replied. “Anyway, I brought you presents,” he added and pointed the paper bags to the floor.
• My eyes widened when I saw it. Cooper never failed to spoil me like this. And after three years, I could experience receiving luxurious gifts again from my brother.
• Windy frowned as she watched Ivy’s reaction. “If only you didn’t pretend to be a poor woman—”
• “Windy, I almost forgot; I also brought your favorite perfume,” Cooper cut off. He walked to the side, grabbed the small silver paper bag, and gave it to Windy.
• Windy reached for it. “Thank you,” she replied.
• Cooper nodded and returned his gaze to me. I started to look at what was inside those paper bags with a smile on my lips and looked at him again.
• Cooper’s forehead was slightly creased.
• “What’s wrong?” I asked.
• Cooper heaved a deep sigh. “Ivy,” he called my name. Ivy then looked at him. “Ryan participates in close scientific research projects in foreign laboratories and cannot return for the time being. Sebastian participates in international film festivals and will return in a few days, and you’re going to accompany me to the company these days,” he uttered.
• I slightly winced, but I know I couldn’t escape now. I then nodded in accord.
• MIDNIGHT, my phone rang, which roared inside my room. With tired eyes, I reached for my phone that was on the side table.
• “Hello?” I uttered and never dared to look for the caller ID.
• Windy’s angry voice roared on the other line, which awakened my sleepy cells. “What’s your problem?” I asked.
• “Look at the internet and the Reeds accusing you that you stole something from them. And if you will not return it. They will call the cops and pick you up.”
• I frowned, and I suddenly grabbed my laptop inside my drawer and went online. And the article that came out when I searched the Reeds, the piece is all about her.
• It’s an official statement from Reed’s Corporation that angered me.
• The information states that after my divorce from Wyatt Reed, I stole a piece of precious jewelry before I left. Which is a lie.
• “How dare they accuse you like that? Steal? Seriously?”
• I just realize that Windy is still on the line.
• I pressed my lips and looked into the comments, and I scoffed when I read some of the comments saying that I have an evil character. The netizens threw ne ridiculous words in the comment section.
• I scrolled back and stared at the photo of the jewelry. I had seen it, but it was impossible that I will steal it. I don’t even know the password of their safe. And the fact that I came from a wealthy family, why would I steal that piece?
• “Thanks for informing me, Windy. I’ll hang up now,” I said and ended the call. My grip on it tightened as I gritted my teeth.
• How dare Wyatt accuse me of stealing jewelry from them.
• Is this how he threw things at me just because we are already divorced?
• Does Calum think I will get back to him just because he did this?
• Frowning, I dialed Cooper’s number, and it won’t take long before he answered my call.
• “Hey, The Glamour Entertainment firm is under my name, right? Who manages it by now?” I asked immediately.
• “It’s Blaze, and I saw the news. I will let him handle matters on the inter—”
• “No, I’m going to take care of it myself,” I said coldly and dropped the call.
• Those Reed will see what they’re looking for as I will not be the same Ivy that they can mock whenever they want.
• I dialed someone else phone number to ask for help from a private investigator to look for the real culprit who stole that necklace. And the man on the other line told me that he would hand the result to me first thing tomorrow.
• Of course, as I want it urgently, the price is a little bit higher. Well, I have the money. So, it’s no big deal.