“Here have some bread. Butter and sugar, hope you like it.” Ray offered to Ivy who was sitting by the balcony with Daisy. Ivy slowly lifted her hand to take the plate of bread from him. Ray smiled as he gently patted her head. “Good girl…” He praised as Ivy nibbled on the bread.

Ray then sat next to her with Daisy on the couch. “Ivy, are you well today?” He asked but Ivy didn’t respond as she continued to nibble slowly on her bread.

“Many things happened ever since then, Ivy. Dad has since let go of everything just to focus on taking care of you even when you’re in a coma. He even let the company drowning in a dire state now Ivy…” Ray was half venting to her with frustration while trying to agitate her to speak. She stopped eating her bread instead. He knew she was paying attention with the hope of hearing her speak but after a moment, she continued to nibble the bread again. It disappointed Ray.

“Why? Just why are you not talking to anyone or even Dad? Do you know how much he had sacrificed for you Ivy? Do you know how much he cared and you simply wake up and not care about anyone, especially him? Instead, are you blaming him, isn't it? Ivy…” Ray was on the verge of losing his temper when Ivy held his hand.

The sudden gentle gesture moved Ray by surprise as she gently patted his hand as though trying to comfort him. All he could do was sighed as he blinked back his tears and wrapped her in his hug.

“Could you say something at least Ivy? I miss hearing your voice and nags and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lose my temper. I just want you to be alright Ivy.” Ray explained as Ivy continued to gently pat his back.

Hearing from his brothers previously, he knew Ivy was still slow at opening up but being able to get her to respond to anyone with her discreet gestures was already an improvement.

Meanwhile, in Manes, Ryu arrived for his weekend training with the national team as Melody saw him all dressed up in disguise in front of the school’s gate. Melody couldn’t help but giggled knowing he was once again hiding from his fans again.

“Ryu!” She called out while Ryu was shocked that someone could still recognise him as his social media had been bombarded with tonnes of likes and comments asking about Ivy by his fans after Ivy liked the ice cream picture Melody posted.

He nearly ran in the opposite direction when he noticed it was Melody who was running towards him. He quickly pulled her to a secluded corner.

“Don’t call my name so loudly! I am so worried now that fans will haunt me after my sister pulled that prank on me!” Ryu hissed at Melody who was all giggly.

“Don’t worry! Rest assured I have your fans under control! But at least explain to me how’s her condition. She must have been awake and resting a lot?” Melody asked as Ryu sighed a little in relief but Melody didn’t stop her questions like his other fans.

“Is she doing well? Is she crying a lot? Does she need anything from books, magazines, or even food from Manes? Who had been taking care of her? Is Uncle well? Are they all alright…” Melody stopped questioning when Ryu pulled her in for a hug. She could feel a loud heartbeat pounding as she rested her head on Ryu’s chest. She wondered if it was her heartbeat or his or both of them combined.

“Yes, Ivy is awake but she is still not talking to anyone. She had some improvements as she was beginning to show some reaction like smiling or holding our hand to comfort us…” He let Melody off his hug as he took a good look at her.

“It’s all thanks to your social media updates that I used them to update her on my progress and what she had missed, just like your purpose. And she was delighted when I told her that I treated you to ice cream. Guess, that’s why she liked the picture unexpectedly. But…” Ryu sighed thinking about the fans' reactions as Melody chuckled.

“Don’t worry, as I said. I will definitely update them later about Ivy’s progress and continue to add the prayer line in the post with a picture of your training!” Melody giggled as Ryu patted her head gently.

“Thank you, my number one fan… As a reward, Princess Ivy had agreed for you to pay her a visit when we are back in Landsfield.” Ryu smiled seeing Melody’s face slowly brighten up.

“Really?” She asked skeptically as Ryu nodded.

“So when are you free?” He asked nonchalantly while walking with her to the basketball court.

“Anytime… Are you really sure?” She asked again to confirm sending Ryu chuckling.

“Yes! Why don't we see her on Wednesday after our tutoring session at the park?” He asked as Melody skipped happily with him.

“Yes!” She cheered and laughed as Ryu too laughed along happily with her.

Ever since Ryu had sorted out for Melody her family business matters, there were queues daily outside the restaurant where they couldn't find any seats to have their tutor session at the restaurant anymore. Instead, they had been studying by the park below Ryu’s family house.

Stolen story; please report.

On rainy days, they would then use the gazebo at the park instead. Though it wasn’t proper, they both knew it worked as their grades for their respective subjects had been improving. Ryu also noticed he was more at ease with Melody around that he grew accustomed to her companionship. Besides, he liked that she doesn't intrude into his privacy or work matters and knew to draw the line on things she shouldn't know.

Ray who was initially wanting to stay in Landsfield for the weekend only decided to extend it a few days more as he needed to meet with Marcel to sort out urgent work matters. Knowing it was a pressing matter that couldn't wait, Ray offered to meet Marcel outside at the nearby cafe.

“Yo, bro! It’s been a while.” Ray greeted as he gave Marcel a friendly hug before sitting in front of him.

“Have you been well?” Ray asked as Marcel sighed. “Same old stuff Ray… Been very tiring lately in fact.” Marcel said as Ray took a sip of the coffee ordered for him.

“Sorry man to trouble you like this. This should have been a family affair.” Ray apologised as Marcel shook his head.

“No please don’t apologise. If it wasn’t because of Ophal’s real estate, Rahi’s consulting wouldn’t have made it this far. Though if you look at the talks perspective it may have deteriorated a little but the income is surprisingly sustaining the real estate’s cashflow instead and not the other way round.” Marcel explained as Ray raised an eyebrow.

“How is that so? Last we spoke, I know the marketing activities for Ophal’s real estate have slowed down but how is it drastically affecting our cash flow? We shouldn’t be at the deficit level of equity yet given that our cost had been consistently the same every month and with cost-cutting efforts by Jeremy, we should hit a surplus. Where did all the money go to?” Ray questioned as he panic.

“This is exactly the reason why I am here to meet you urgently. Are there any significant movements that you know of from Jin’s side about what Jeremy is up to lately?” Marcel questioned as Ray squinted his eyes to remember.

“Not that I know of other than his drug activities had been rapidly growing but the man himself has been laying low. I am wondering when is he striking too. I could double confirm if there is anything we missed out with Jin.” Ray offered as Marcel quickly show him his tablet.

“Read this first.” Marcel showed the proposal to the management from Jeremy on his decision to invest in a bar and bistro business.

Ray took a closer look and saw that the bar and bistro business was located nearby to the heritage town in Manes which was where his drug dealings had been taking place. He sensed something was dubious about this proposal.

“Why are we diversifying the business into a non-related industry?” Ray questioned.

“According to his rationale, to cope with the marketing demands. He suggested for the entertainment of clients be held there and also the bar and bistro will handle the marketing for all of our services.” Marcel explained as Ray scoffed.

“That is marketing done wrong man… Wrong target audience and wrong direction. Has Ryu known about this?” Ray was frustrated as he pulled on his hair while Marcel shook his head.

“I will let Ryu and Jin know about this. On the cashflow side, is that why Rahi’s consulting income had been supporting the expenses and costs of Ophal’s real estate?” Marcel nodded.

“It seemed Jeremy is channeling the income of Ophal’s real estate out to his investments and trying to squeeze whatever he can from Rahi’s side as though forcing it to stop operating all at once,” Marcel explained as Ryu groaned.

“Why haven’t you spoken with Ryu or Jin since it’s concerning their department?” Ryu questioned.

“It’s less suspicious for us to meet since you’re unrelated to their department.” Marcel briefly explained.

s“Smart.” Ray praised as he shifted his attention back to the pressing matter.

“But that is his brother’s hard work and sweat. I’m sure Ivy wouldn’t want to see it perish that way. How long can your end sustain?” Ray questioned.

“Not long. The cash flow by right should have been used for three to four months' operating expenses but it’s covering one month of Ophal’s real estate operating expenses. We could collapse sooner than we thought if we don’t take on more talks and make the same amount we did last month. The problem is we can’t, given how we still can’t find a suitable replacement for Jason’s role yet.” Marcel explained as Ray thought for a moment.

“Now that you mentioned it, it is rather obvious he is finding all ways to push Rahi’s side to a dead end. Given their brother feuds, that would be the only way for him to take all of what was Jason’s. I’m not good with the business side of things but I am sure Jin and Ryu would be able to figure out something from this. Let me get back to you on this Marcel.” Ray assured as Marcel nodded.

“Ray, keep this away from Ivy till she recovers. From what I hear, she is still in a very fragile state. Give her some time.” Marcel advised as Ray nodded.

“How’s Nick doing after so long being in Manes? Perhaps some improvement since he is back to a familiar place in Landsfield where he used to be?” Ray asked in return.

“The same thing. I just couldn't get him out of the house for more than an hour. He gets very restless when it's crowded too. The safe haven for him is definitely still your family house in Manes. Let me know when you plan to return to Manes and I will make arrangements for Nick to join you along.” Marcel said.

“Alright. It’s the same with Ivy too. She had been refusing to speak but she had already shown signs of improvement with her discreet gestures. Speaking of which, would you like to visit Ivy?” Ray asked as Marcel shook his head.

“Not at the moment. Let’s give her some time.” Marcel explained.

“Should we send Nick to a psychiatrist too?” Ray asked as Marcel raised an eyebrow thinking about it for a moment.

“His case isn’t as serious as Ivy's though but I felt no harm provided you are able to convince him to see one,” Marcel explained.

“What if we let both Ivy and Nick meet each other and they could head to visit Phyllis? Whether on separate occasions or on the same day at least we could be at ease that they both are seeking professional help?” Ray suggested as Marcel was still skeptical.

“Tell you what, let me accompany Ivy to her next session and I will have a word with Phyllis to see her opinion,” Ray said as Marcel then felt more comfortable. He nodded in agreement as they continued to finish their coffee in silence.