As Ryu returned to the dining table, Peter began to get serious as he put down his utensils. “Ray, have you ensured registration for yourself and Ai Lee is all in order?” Ray was caught off guard at Peter’s question as he tried to swallow his mouthful of porridge and nodded.

“Yes, classes are starting next week,” Ray said briefly as he wiped his mouth. Peter knew something was amidst but he did not want to pester Ray. He trusted Ray’s judgement and that he would choose what was best for Ivy.

“Good. Watch over your sister like you do over these two.” Peter said which sent the three of them into a suspicious mode.

“Don’t worry dad. Ivy will be alright. Besides, she has lived in Manes all these years.” Ryu interrupted as Peter nodded meekly. “Dad, is there something wrong?” Jin decided to ask with concern as Peter quickly shook his head to remain composed.

“No, nothing. You know how Ai Lee is. Full of mischiefs. Just ensuring she gets her life straight.” Peter said nonchalantly as the boys agreed.

“The three of you carry on with your tasks but always remember to not neglect your studies.” Peter directed his last part to Jin as Jin nodded and adjusted his glasses to get caught red-handed with his deteriorating results.

“Good. I will head off for a meeting. See you boys.” Peter said as he stood and put on his coat as Mr Jin led him to the car.

“Don’t you find dad strange?” Ryu questioned as Jin did a quick analysis in his mind while Ray looked at the main door’s direction.

Jin then gave Marcel a call. “Morning…” Marcel greeted in his serious tone over the line. “Morning, who is my dad meeting in a while?” Jin questioned as Marcel cleared his throat.

“Your youngest uncle and Jeremy,” Marcel replied as Jin immediately scoffed.

“And you didn’t update us?” Jin scolded as Ray pushed him to sit back on the chair.

“I just got the news a few minutes ago from his secretary. I’m sorry I should have...” Marcel apologised as Ray took Jin’s phone.

“Do you have any idea what are they discussing?” Ray questioned as Ryu fidgeted.

“No. It’s a classified meeting in the first place and my sources could only get to know right before the meeting proves to you it’s not a simple meeting. I will keep an eye on it. Don’t create any alarm by thinking of coming over.” Marcel said before he hung up as the boys sat in a gloomy state.

Ivy who freshened up earlier went downstairs after she got dressed in preparation to meet Jeremy in the office today and start her plans when she noticed the brothers were all acting strange.

“Morning! What’s wrong? Where’s dad?” She asked as she took her usual seat next to Ray and Jin. No one answered or knew how to answer her without triggering her to bolt to the office.

“Where are you going dressing like that?” Ryu asked as he tried to change the topic.

“Office…” She said as she scooped some porridge while the brothers gasped. “What? Why? Don’t. Dad said to head to Manes isn’t it?” Ray said as Ivy raised an eyebrow while putting down the scoop.

“Tell me. Spill it. What’s going on? It must be the office and Jeremy.” She said as she blew the first spoon of porridge and take a bite.

“Why are you going to the office?” Jin questioned as she put her thumbs up to him, praising his delicious cooking skills.

“This is awesome. Good cook twinny!” She praised avoiding his question.

“Ivy…” Jin pestered as Ivy dropped her shoulder. “To strike a deal with Jeremy.” She said as the brothers panic. “What deals? What are you talking about?” Jin questioned as Ivy explained the ideas she thought the other day at Phyllis’ office.

The brothers began to accept her ideas but was worried of Marcel’s warning.

“What’s wrong? Not a good idea? Did dad went to office?” She questioned as she finished up her breakfast.

Ray then explained to her about the meeting which true enough bolted her to rush for her keys to the car as Ray jumped in with her. On the way as she sped, she was getting worried about the purpose of the meeting and if she was really one step behind Jeremy again. She just hoped she could counter offer whatever Jeremy was planning in the meeting to Peter with her ideas as Ray held on tight to the handle at the passenger seat.

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As she got to the front of the office and threw her keys to the guard to catch it, she stormed all the way through the gantry and lift. When she reached to find a rather quiet and empty office since it was not nine yet and most employees don’t come so early, Marcel stood waiting for her to react.

She made her way to the meeting room walking past Marcel only to find the meeting had started. As she wanted to push the door to enter, their conversation stopped her while Marcel held on to her to stop her.

“Let me recap for you again. I want to marry your daughter as you have promised back then.” Jeremy stressed the word marry and promised to Peter as Charles cleared his throat.

“I don’t recall promising this,” Peter said nonchalantly. He had expected someday Jeremy would make such a request but he did not expect it so soon as Peter kept his eyes fixed on Charles, knowing a part of this was provoked by his own brother.

The secretary was about to serve them coffee and biscuits when Ivy stopped her and took the tray from her instead. She signalled the secretary to leave and that she would serve them. Instead, Ivy stood outside the room and listened in further patiently waiting for the right time to enter with the duo.

Jeremy looked in Charles’ direction as deep down Jeremy wished Peter would have agreed with his first option so that he would not have to go to the next extent to keep Charles convinced that he was all out for all of Jason’s possessions which to Charles meant his niece was to be sacrificed along the way. Charles signalled him to make the next move as Jeremy let out a sigh.

“Alright, in that case, we have no choice but to own an additional 30% of shares on top of what you had agreed to give up to us from all of your own shares and also 10% of the three brothers’ shares each.” Jeremy pestered as he took out a contract and placed it in front of Peter as Peter sat trying to suppress his anger.

They both were all in to own Ivy’s shares as she owned the majority. With her 30% given away, it dilutes too much of the whole Ophal’s family power as a shareholder. “Try. Ai Lee would never agree to this.” Peter dared them to get Ivy’s signature as he pushed the contract away after he signed it.

“Brother, let’s not go too far.” Charles gave a first warning as Ivy took a shaky deep breath. Ray wanted to barge in but Ivy stopped him and shook her head for them to wait longer. At this point, Ivy wanted to know what all the cards were in their hand before she laid out hers.

Jeremy was left with no choice but was forced to use their last card which he hesitated for a moment but he knew he could not lose Charles’ trust at that moment. Not when he has not had enough evidence of Charles’ motives to go after innocent lives.

“Sign or I will ensure the company collapses instantly. I will transfer more cash flow out or if everyone obliged and sign, I could ensure more cash flow in to support the company instead.” Jeremy threatened which made Charles chuckle at his boldness and hunger for Jason’s possessions.

Peter felt his anger flaring and he did not notice it was a heart attack symptom till he felt a suffocating feeling and it was getting harder to breathe. He knew the duo could push their limits but he had underestimated them. He counted his blessings for the preparations he had always made for the children and hoped to rely on Mr. Jin as he went blank and collapsed to the ground when he stood.

Ivy and Ray were furious standing outside with Marcel who was frustrated as well. She finally decided it was time to enter when they both heard alarming voices from Jeremy and Charles calling out to Peter.

Ray opened the door to find Peter lying on the ground as Jeremy attended to him. Ivy who was looking at Charles’ gaze at his brother with a sinister smile took Ivy off guard and dropped the tray of coffees and biscuits. Upon understanding the entire situation was a trap, she began to suspect something was amidst Uncle Charles and he was not that simple.

As Marcel hurried with his phone calls for emergency and Peter’s secretary rushed in to help Ray, it was Jeremy who dragged Ivy away from the bits and pieces of broken glasses as Ivy snapped and pulled away her arm from Jeremy harshly. It took Ivy a moment to recover and keep her composure. With her shaky breathes as the paramedics rushed in to aid Peter, Ivy’s eyes were full of hatred as she stared at Jeremy’s gaze.

How could these eyes which look so much like Jason give out a different feeling of security? Shouldn’t he be wanting to own me just for the sake of it but why do I sense that he genuinely cares? Ivy questioned herself as her gaze turned icy.

No, that can’t be true. He took Jason’s and Grandma’s lives away. Now, he had caused Dad’s collapse. He is the reason for all my hatred. She convinced herself as she followed the paramedics to the ambulance with Ray.

Her gaze pierced through Jeremy’s memory as he trailed behind Charles when they entered the lift. “Don’t you feel worried? After all, it’s your blood brother.” Jeremy questioned Charles as he tried to recover from the trauma earlier.

“Worry? Our job is easier if he doesn’t make it.” Charles chuckled as they stepped out of the lift. Jeremy made a fake chuckle but deep down it proved to him that Charles was that cold-blooded when it comes to money.

In his mind, he wondered what else could he do now for Ivy. It was too arduous to get the siblings to sign the agreement which Peter had signed given the circumstances now as he recalled the piercing look of Ivy again. He felt bad for her as he stood by the car while waiting for Charles’ driver to drive off.

“It’s time to tackle the kids. They are much easier.” Charles urged. “But with the circumstances, they wouldn’t sign easily,” Jeremy said sceptically.

“Who said to sign is the only way? Just marry her. You have my blessings!” Charles chuckled happily as he signalled the driver to drive off.

Jeremy pondered on the suggestion. It was not entirely wrong. Though it may be meant to keep his enemies close to Charles, to Jeremy, protecting the siblings from their cold-blooded Uncle’s harm would do Peter a favour in repentance for what he did today to him.

Besides, it would buy him more time to collect evidence and investigate thoroughly of the two incidents. While at it, it would not hurt to have more illegal trades since at the end game, he was either dead or ending in prison.

Why bother the consequences of the end game when on hand, it’s up to me to direct. I will do this for you, Ivy. Bear with me. Jeremy thought.

Author’s note: Hey, this marks the end of part 2. Anyway, I hope Part 3 won’t disappoint. Thank you for following this far. I truly appreciate your loyalty.