Jin was looking at the books of accounts closure for the year. With Ivy’s knowledge of accounting, she noticed the company was making a loss and majority due to a shocking merger of the construction business their dad decided on his own with their Uncle Charles.

“It would be natural for them to need lots of raw materials in the beginning,” Ray stated while looking at the accounts from his tablet.

“Yes…but…” Jin mumbled in doubt while scrolling as Ivy scrolled her tablet sitting next to Ray facing Jin. Jin has doubt about Peter’s decision as he knew Peter wouldn’t act rashly unless something was provoking him but Jin couldn’t figure out what was it.

“In fact, the merger should have been delayed to next year for a better outcome…” Ivy pointed out.

“I wonder what dad’s plans are to push forward the merger in a rush and show a loss,” Ray questioned as Jin pondered on this point for a long time and could only come out with one clear possibility.

“It might be due to the fact that the construction company was not making money or even involved in illegal acts and disguising the fact with the merger…” Ivy said again as Jin squintted his eyes at Ivy’s thoughts. “I should speak with Uncle James...” Jin thought to himself. He didn't like that though the investment was 30%, it had already made the company unstable and fall into a loss and speaking to their dad was out of the question as he had been trying to avoid all of them lately after the sudden merger with Charles’ construction company.

Ryu stepped in to Jin’s office being frustrated with his fans' matters after knocking on the door. He grunted and threw himself to the couch instead as the siblings wrapped up their conversation. “What’s the matter, yo?” Ivy coaxed Ryu to tell them his issues as she walked over to the couch and sat beside him.

“The fans just had to intrude on my privacy and even harass the guards below just to meet me… I mean, I am a nobody…” Ryu grumbled in frustration as Ivy interrupted him.

“Wait, wait… You’re not exactly a nobody. As far as I know, you’re a national basketball player on the team aside from being the youngest heir to the Ophal’s group…” Ivy pointed out as Ryu rolled his eyes in annoyance while the other two brothers chuckled.

“What’s so great about it huh? I’m only human who wants to focus on my life.” Ryu whined while rolling his eyes.

“You don’t get a choice. Fame gets you where you are and so you return the favor with more attention…” Ivy teased as Ryu raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” Ryu asked skeptically as Ivy gave him a mysterious chuckle.

Ray noticed Ivy take off her metal bracelet as the brothers listened in to their conversation. Ivy winked. “Leave it to me… I will plan a surprise for you and your fans…” Ivy said as Ryu panicked. “No, no…” Ryu held on to her arm as Ivy giggled and tried to let go. “Don’t worry…” Ivy reassured with a mysterious smile as she loosen her arm to collect her handbag. Ryu stood to stop her from going further when Ray decided to let Ivy’s plans to fall through as he changed the topic and helped out Ivy.

“Ivy, not wearing the metal bracelet anymore?” Ray asked while Jin took his blazer walking towards Ryu who was a little dumbfounded and led him out of his office.

“Oh, I took it off. It was inconvenient, especially since it wasn’t exactly easy to match with my formal wear.” Ivy made up an excuse as Ray nodded as they both joined the other two brothers heading home for dinner. In actual fact, she just didn't believe the metal bracelet was helping her to dream lesser after that miserable sleep paralysis night she had by the side with Nick. So instead, she chose to carry it around in a pouch.

Ivy has gotten busy with the preparations for Ryu’s basketball party on new year’s eve thereafter. She requested her brothers’ cooperation to participate in a friendly match with Ryu but go easy on him and let him win instead. She even helped to design an e-poster and posted it on Ryu’s social media platform for his fans to participate in a contest where they had to post the best shots of Ryu during his basketball competitions to win the limited 100 invites to watch the match and an after-party.

She decided instead of holding it at their property, she chose the downtown hotel’s park instead. She made Cassandra pick out the winners together as Jin and Ray vouched if their choice of winners were worthy. Nick was also there on the actual day to coordinate the ushers and dispatched gifts at the end of the event. Despite the awkwardness between the siblings and their father, Peter still attended the event as he sat quietly enjoying the match and the after party. Ryu was the only one who seemed to be not interested. Ivy even prepared photo booths to let his fans have up close pictures with Ryu or any of them and baked basketball cookies so-called made with love by Ryu for his fans’ door gifts.

Ryu’s fans were easy to please as they were mostly little high school girls. During the match with his siblings going easy on Ryu, he won easily alone although it was three siblings against him alone.

Ivy, after the event made his fans promised to not harass Ryu and in return she would ensure Ryu posted updates from time to time on his social media. After the free firework show for the new year celebration by the hotel’s management, one of his fans, Lily, was the last to leave that night as she couldn’t help but snapped lots of good pictures of Ryu and the entire family. She had skills and everyone could tell she also had a huge crush on Ryu from the way she blushed every time Ryu made eye contact. Unfortunately, Ryu never bothered as he had never wanted to date anyone just yet.

Ivy didn’t let Lily’s matter slide as she spoke with Lily and supported her in her passion but told her to stay focused on her studies as Ryu was a brilliant student and to stand by his side, Lily shouldn’t compromise her future and studies. Lily was easily handled too as thereafter, Lily encouraged Jin’s fans club to focus on their own life studies or career while idolising Ryu as Ryu would want them to be successful like him. She was no doubt, made the leader of his fans club and stated that they as fans reflected what Ryu’s image was like so it’s best everyone is a smart fan instead.

The harassment instantly stopped after that night and turned out to help support Ryu by living their life better and always cheering for him. “Oh my goodness! Sis! You’re fantastically brilliant! Look everyone has stopped the harassment!” Ryu cheered with overjoy as Ivy beamed with proudness.

“So, tell me, how do you want to reward me?” Ivy asked as she raised an eyebrow. “Anything... I will do anything…” Ryu was so delighted as he continued to scroll his fans’ page.

“Fine, take over my house chores from now on…” Ivy smirked as Ryu’s mouth opened up in surprise. “No, no..just one week…” Ryu counter-offered.

“One month… Take it or leave it. Otherwise, I will spread rumors and…” Ivy threatened playfully as Ryu finally gave in. “Fine, fine! Alright! One month! No rumors please!” Ryu surrendered in defeat as Ivy laughed victoriously.

Later that week, Ivy was reminded about her birthday end of the first month of the new year. Soon, it was also going to be her grandma’s one-year death anniversary too. A sad smile formed as she gathered some courage to speak with dad who had been estranged. She went over to her dad’s room to look him but instead she found a note of her biological mother’s psychiatrist contact details and a picture of her on his study desk. Ivy was shocked to learn her looks were identical to the lady she often sees in her nightmare whom she was calling out to while falling off a tall building.

Peter walked in to find her looking at the picture with a pale face.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Ai Lee…” Peter turned her around. Ivy was speechless for being so shocked as tears fell from her eyes. “You don’t have to go if you don't want to,” Peter said as he pulled her in for a hug to comfort her.

“Is this my… biological mother?” Ivy mumbled as Peter nodded. Ivy swallowed her saliva.

“Daddy, when I was young… Was there an accident where she almost dropped me off a tall building?” Ivy asked with a shaky voice as Peter's eyes grew wider.

“You remembered?” Peter asked as Ivy cried.

“So, it’s true?” She asked while trying to deny the fact.

“It wasn’t… an accident. She lost her sanity when postpartum aggression happened and nearly killed you by hurling you off the rooftop…” Peter said solemnly as he patted gently on Ivy’s head. “But you were fortunate that grandma caught you as she was on the next floor where you were to land.” Ivy tried to force her tears from flowing after discovering the nightmare in her paracosm was all that had happened in the past.

“I thought you were too young to even remember this since you were still an infant…” Peter comforted her as he gently tapped her shoulders while Ivy wept in his hug.

“It had been my constant nightmares on certain nights… I don't know why I do remember it. Is she doing fine these days?” Ivy mumbled as Peter sighed and shook his head.

“She has gone mad and can be dangerous. That’s why she is in the psychiatric hospital.” He explained. Ivy was half scared but she knew she needed to meet her someday. Peter watched her fighting with herself.

“Take your time… Think over it… When you’re ready, we will visit her alright?” Peter comforted her as he hugged her while she nodded in his arms.

“By the way, please don’t throw any birthday party for me… I don't usually celebrate them and besides, it’s close to grandma’s first anniversary.” Ivy explained as she looked up at Peter with a sad expression.

Peter nodded in agreement. “Alright, sweetheart… We will visit grandma during her anniversary…” Ivy wrapped her arms around her dad’s waist for comfort as she counted her blessings.

Meanwhile, Jeremy, ever since the Christmas party was trying to confirm his suspicions about Jason’s and Ivy’s relationship. He had noticed Jason was easily restless and often daydreaming during family dinners or when spotted at work or even while his spies spied on Jason. One thing for sure was, Jason had been visiting Nancy in the hospital lesser than before. Jeremy wondered if Nancy had noticed these apparent signs.

Nancy was no doubt not at ease at all after Ivy fulfilled her promise to her on Christmas eve. She grew even more obsessed and sceptical at Jason’s excuses for not visiting her any more. To satisfy her curiosity and obsession, she decided to hire an investigator and always got news of Jason being in Landsfield.

Jason although he was caught up with his thoughts of trying to win Ivy back, he was also catching up on work. He had noticed the abnormality of activity from the construction company abruptly merging into Ophal’s organisation. As a shareholder, he had spoken with Peter but Peter being a director of the group did have the mandate to be the sole decision maker and he was good at concealing the real reason that he made an excuse saying it was a strategic move for the group and shareholders.

Jason wasn’t convinced but he had no choice but to stop prying further before he triggered to offend Peter. Instead, Jason who has disliked his family dinners had no choice but to attend in order to keep a close eye on Jeremy. Besides, it was a good excuse to keep his lonely mother accompanied since his father had always been a busy businessman.

As for Jeremy, he was always a nuisance to all of them with his so call fiance whom he was on the verge of breaking the engagement off again. During one of the family dinners, Jason decided to throw his stern warnings at Jeremy after Jeremy poked his nose into Ivy’s matters and kept questioning him about her details.

With that, Jeremy successfully confirmed his brother's heart was focused on Ivy. Jeremy was in luck when his spies accidentally bumped into Nancy’s investigator. With that, Jeremy decided to meet up with Nancy to make a pact instead. His ultimate motive was not only just to own Ophal’s group as it was his brother’s business but also to capture the love of Jason’s life, Ivy. He would never settle for second best as he will always hunt for whatever belonged to Jason as he thought only then he could win his father’s recognition.

“Yo, ex-sister-in-law… How’s it going with my brother lately?” Jeremy teased at first as Nancy squinted her eyes in annoyance.

“Don't get agitated just so fast yet…” Jeremy said as his minion revealed the investigator Nancy had hired her eyes widened in terror.

“What do you want?” She asked in a shaking voice.

“Nothing much… Just a simple collaboration…” Jeremy inched closer to face her and whispered those words to her.

“You only wanted my brother. I only wanted his girl. So, it’s a win-win situation you see…” Jeremy explained. Jeremy knew it was enough to provoke Nancy to do berserk stuff as they came to an agreement that he will ensure Ivy is in safe hands and stay far away from Jason by all means while Nancy had to keep Jason by her side far away from Ivy. With that, they both came to a consensus that neither could resist.

As Ivy’s birthday was closer, Jason couldn’t help but have a tight uncomfortable feeling tugging in his guts while repeatedly playing the scenes of his confession on her birthday in his mind. He decided to look deeper into the construction company with Marcel and noticed Jeremy was also a shareholder in the construction company. However, it didn't matter to his company since the investment was done by Ophal side but the bad feeling just won’t go away.

“Bro… You need a break... You might be thinking too much too.” Marcel suggested as he watched Jason holding onto his head at his office table.

“Marcel… I need your help…” Jason decided he should come up with a backup plan just to be prudent. It would also be just to repay her kindness for when she offered to help out his failing business before this. Marcel looked into Jason’s eyes and knew he was serious as Marcel nodded with assurance.

“In any emergency or when I get into any trouble, you have the mandate to execute all of my assets to be transferred to Ivy including my shares. At all costs, ensure Ivy’s safety is always monitored.” Jason said calmly as Marcel widened his eyes.

In his mind, he knew Jason must have suspected things might get dangerous soon as he nodded to his request. “I will head to the lawyers to prepare the papers tomorrow,” Marcel said nonchalantly as he patted Jason’s shoulder.

“You have seen through her sacrifices finally.” Marcel praised as Jason smiled. “How could I be so blind lately? Did you know about any of her arrangements? Especially the one with Nancy?” Jason questioned as Marcel scoffed.

“Are you going to finally make a move?” Marcel asked as he remembered it was Ivy’s birthday in the next few days. Jason nodded as Marcel smiled satisfactorily.

While driving home, Jason glanced over Nick’s house and saw the lights were on. He had noticed Nick had been staying close by Ivy’s side ever since the Christmas party. As he got back to his empty quiet house as Daisy was now accompanying his mother in his old house, he had the urge to call Nick out for a drink at his house, by the big sliding door facing his tiny garden where Nancy used to sit and waited for him.

Thousands of memories he had with Nancy and Ivy in the house crossed his mind while he waited for Nick to walk over briefly after he texted him. Jason was firm with his decision this time as though he had cleared all the cloudiness in his mind and finally could see his future with clarity.

“Hey…” Nick greeted as he walked into Jason’s opened door.

“Sit…” Jason smiled as he poured Nick a glass of whiskey

“Been a while since we sat like this…” Jason said as Nick smiled and took a sip of the whiskey.

“You know it’s funny how it felt like only yesterday that we were trying to keep Nancy sane from her stalkerish behavior to now, protecting Ivy from all the dangerous wonders heading her way,” Jason said nonchalantly as Nick burrowed his eyebrows.

“Is there something wrong with Ivy that you know of?” Nick couldn’t help but ask worriedly. Seeing his friend’s reaction, Jason knew Nick must have cared a lot for Ivy.

“Bro, I don’t want to sound like a jerk who keeps snatching the girl you like. But this time, with Ivy, I must. With the instability in her father’s business, it’s only safe for her to stay by my side. That way, even if Jeremy wants to reach her, he will have great difficulty.” Jason explained as Nick finally understood that there was indeed something bad going on behind the background.

“Bro, I have always trusted you, and this time I do. Just, Nancy might be the issue again.” Nick couldn’t help but ponder on the days he had to drag Nancy away from Jason’s garden.

“You know, she has been recovering a lot lately with her therapy. I am sure with time, soon, she would be understanding…” Jason said wearily but he hoped it would be true.

Nick raised his glass of whiskey to cheer Jason. “I will try my best to keep an eye on Nancy even if she hates it 'cause I know how much you cherish Ivy and want to protect her. She is just too young to handle the company’s crisis that is heading their way. I am sure Peter has his plans but I have a bad feeling about his plans.” Nick explained as Jason nodded with assurance.

“Thank you, bro…” Jason said as Nick poured him some more whiskey as Jason drank with him.

“I hope we get to drink together again more often in the future,” Nick said as Jason chuckled and clank his glass to Nick’s as they both spoke about their good old days in the band the entire night.