Ivy’s mind went blank the entire time as she waited with Ray outside of the operation theatre. Marcel was there too but occasionally had to answer some calls. Ivy could not wrap her mind around the situation earlier as she sat questioning herself in her mind.
What exactly was the deal? Why was Dad so worked up by Jeremy’s offer? He knew all of us would not agree then why he is so worked up? Ivy wondered as she closed her eyes, holding on to her pounding head.
Her mind recalled Uncle Charles and his sinister smile. Ivy opened her eyes in realisation that something was not right with him but seeing Ray pacing in anxiety, she knew it was best if she kept it to herself for now. Coupled with the look and action of Jeremy’s concern, it only confused her further about Jeremy’s intention.
What is wrong with Jeremy? His gaze was of a different meaning but why? I couldn’t be thinking too much or probably I misread him. Her thoughts were interrupted when Jin and Ryu ran over to them.
“What happened? Are you all alright? How’s dad?” Ryu questioned as he caught his breath while Jin waited for an answer from Ray who could only shake his head. Jin squatted in front of Ivy and held her hand as their gaze met.
“He will be alright. You have to be alright. The company needs you now. We need you too. You have us to support you.” Jin gently told Ivy as she took a deep breath and nodded.
She hugged Jin and held him for a moment. “You’re right. I’m alright. You all will be too…” The sound of the operation theatre door opening made them rush to the doctor for an update.
“There was a rupture in the aorta which we had to conduct an emergency operation earlier. Mr. Rahi’s condition requires to be monitor and he is still in a coma. It will take him some time to wake up. For now, rest assured the patient is in stable condition but requires close monitoring.” The doctor explained as the siblings were left on their own disheartened.
Dad is down. What should I do? I need to defend the fort. These boys need my support. I… Ivy’s thoughts trailed away as Ray embraced her with Ryu who was in tears. Jin stood by the side in a somber mood. Ivy could almost tell what he was thinking as she held his hand and he tightened the grip.
Their gaze met and they both knew they were the front liners to defend the company from then on. They both understood they were comforting each other and that things would be alright. Ivy bravely pushed aside Ray and Ryu as she went to do the registration with Marcel. The brothers then gathered outside of the incentive care unit when Uncle James came.
Ivy knew better than to sit around and wait as she had anticipated a storm approaching her way but her mind is in a mess. She needed somewhere and time to sort out her thoughts. She sent Marcel back to the office before calling Mr. Jin to pick her up as she updated the brothers via a text message that she would need to go on an errand and that she would see them tonight in the house. She also told Jin to get Uncle James to send some protection over their father. The message sent panic to the brothers as they left Uncle James to the arrangement while they tried to pry Ivy to know what she was up to but to no avail.
Ivy went into the car as Mr. Jin drove a small distance away before he asked Ivy where were they heading. The thought of Aunt Lenny crossed her mind.
“Uncle Jin, do you know where Auntie Lenny’s grave is?” Ivy asked as Mr. Jin was taken aback but quickly nodded. “Let’s head there. Along the way, I want to pick up a bouquet.” She instructed as Mr. Jin obliged without any questions.
Her mind ran through her plans from ensuring she still hold on to her shareholder position to a definite assurance that her brothers’ shareholding would not be diluted. She needed to gain more power in the company which meant she should gain control of the cashflow management which is a crisis at the moment. She had to read the financial statements over the months to study the pattern and come up with emergency plans to not create alerts among the employees and the public. The cultural heritage project had been delayed for way too long.
Her brothers’s studies should not be affected as she made it a priority to perhaps sending them away was the best. She had to stay low profile with the family’s fortune and perhaps disguising the family as poor would be the best and divert the attention away from the company’s cashflow crisis to tricking the public that the family had to use up a lot of savings to pay for Peter’s medical bills but she was not convinced at this idea would work out. The sight of Mr. Jin made her realise he probably was Peter’s hidden card and might be dangerous to keep him around in that case.
She needed to find ways to sort all these matters out as she drowned deep in her thoughts even when Mr. Jin escorted her into the florist. She did not realise she had chosen a hyacinth bouquet, a flower showing her deep sorrow for her stepmother till they arrived at the gravesite.
It must have been fated. Mama Lenny probably knew about Daddy. She thought at the look of the bouquet. The gray tombstones just set more heaviness to her heart as she made her way up to her grave with Mr. Jin in tow. She momentarily shoved her plans in mind away as she stood in front of the tomb and bowed three times before putting down the bouquet.
“Mama Lenny, I am Ai Lee. I’m sorry for coming this late to visit you. Thank you for giving me my three wonderful brothers and making Daddy happy. Thank you for always keeping me in mind when I was too young to remember you.” She paused as she swallowed the lump in her throat.
“I will ensure I take good care of all of them. I promise I will protect all of them. I’m sorry I haven't been a good daughter to Daddy lately but from now on I promise I will defend his company and ensure he will be well.” Ivy finally felt the stinging of her sadness hitting her as she forced herself to shove them away.
“I promise you in the next life if there is any chance, I hope you can hear me call you mama.” She wiped her tears away as Mr. Jin gently patted her shoulder to comfort her.
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As Mr. Jin walked her back to the car, Ivy had made up her mind about their situation.
“Uncle Jin, Daddy had entrusted you many things I believe?” Ivy asked as Mr. Jin was hesitating to answer her question.
“You don’t have to answer me. I don’t want to know what they are now. It’s dangerous if I do but I want to entrust you one more thing. I hope you can agree to this.” She pleaded as Mr. Jin blinked in confusion for a moment.
“With Daddy down now, I could only entrust him to Uncle James. But while I defend the company I need to know my brothers are safe. I am sending Ryu to the boarding school in Manes and making him take the offer. While I send Ray there to help out with Rahi’s side business, I will also send Jin to boarding school here and make him stay close by with Uncle James. In the office, rest assured with Marcel and Nick around I will manage well. So, having said so, for the time being, I am worried sooner or later those who are plotting against us will figure out about you. I want you to lay low and stay safe. You may head back to your hometown and pretend that you were fired. Whatever daddy had entrusted you to, keep holding on to them.” Ivy instructed as Mr. Jin was surprised at the request. He did not know to follow her instructions or to obey Peter’s.
“But…” Before he could interrupt, Ivy shook her head. “I won’t take no for an answer.” She smiled before getting into the car and instructed him to drive her home. Mr. Jin knew it was for the best and a part of him was proud of Ivy for standing up to her own decisions.
Along the way she had decided to enter the office the next day and take over her official duties as the news would definitely pick up on Peter’s hospitalisation. Tonight, she had to prepare herself mentally for the press and the pressure that was coming her way.
As she stepped into the house in the early evening, the brothers all rushed to the lift entrance with Nick and Marcel standing behind them worriedly.
“Where have you been?” Ryu questioned as Ray pulled her out from the lift.
“What have you been doing? Why didn’t you pick up?” Ray complained as Ivy watched them three. Daisy came towards her and pounded on her as she patted and rubbed Daisy’s fur.
“I went to visit your mother’s grave,” Ivy said abruptly which sent them five in surprise.
“But why?” Jin questioned worriedly.
“To get a breather…To think…” She said and before anyone could say anything, the lift’s bell rang again indicating they had a visitor. When the lift door opened, there were three guards stepping out which made them think it was Uncle James but to their shock, it was Jeremy.
“What are you doing here?” The brothers immediately went into hostile mode pushing Ivy behind them as Nick and Marcel stood by her.
“Well, well. What a way to welcome me. I have made it clear earlier to your father I suppose. I’m here to claim my bride.” Jeremy chuckled as he looked around the living space and noted the family was very minimalist. Jeremy took a glance at Ivy who looked debufled before quickly looking away to hide his concern.
Ivy knew Jeremy’s aim was her all along and with Peter being in a coma, she had no choice but to go all out into the act as she took a glance at Jin who had the same idea in mind but was worried about her. She gave him an assuring look.
“No one ever agreed. My father did not!” Ray bellowed as Ivy stepped up and held on to Ray before he was able to vent more on Jeremy.
“Calm down, Ray.” She gently patted his hand to comfort him.
“I agree to the marriage but I have my conditions,” Ivy announced as she stood in front of Jeremy and noticed his gaze this time was different than expected again. It was full of unfocused feelings from lust, discomfort, anger, relaxation, and even concern. Jeremy's eyes suddenly lit up for a moment to disguise his real feelings. In an act, he threw himself on the couch behind him and listened to Ivy’s condition.
“Right, this is not the right time for marriage and I would only do so upon my father’s blessings. I’m sure you would be able to understand this term.” She counteroffered tactfully trying to sound nonchalant.
Of course I do but that’s not the concern now Ivy. I’m sorry. Jeremy thought to himself.
Jeremy eyed the bodyguards who were ready to lift any of the siblings and forcefully make them agree when he signaled them to keep their composure. He stood to take a step closer to Ivy and was close to her face but she did not flinched an inch.
“I agree but…” Jeremy raised his hand and pointed at Ray. “Your brother will join my bodyguard’s team.” The word bodyguard was emphasised with double meaning as Ivy began to panic and tightened her grip on her palm. Her gaze betrayed her in front of Jeremy who knew she was struggling to stay composed.
Come on you can pull this one through Ivy. He secretly cheered.
It was not part of her plans. It meant Ray would be involved with Jeremy’s illicit activities. She tried to weigh the pros and cons as she knew it was a good chance to have a spy there but she could not bear the thought of Ray being injured.
She nearly lost her control as she eyed Jeremy with hatred but Ray stepped up to agree before Ivy could retaliate. Ray forced open her palms before she could injure herself.
“No! I…” She retaliated with Ray holding tight on her hand and kept her assured with eye contact. Ivy hated herself for failing to protect him and she knew she should throw her next card out else she would be losing out to Jeremy.
“Fine, you take my brother, I control the company’s management ultimately.” She angrily set her next condition at Jeremy with her piercing look.
“You will approve my funds' requests without any questions.” He responded as she scoffed which made Jin furious. Ivy managed to hold Jin back as she forced herself to agree.
“Fine. Whatever you do outside, ensure it does not impact the reputation of the company and keep it discreet.” She bargained as she crossed her arms this time.
“Good. You would join me on formal occasions and for a start, the announcement of our engagement will take place tomorrow.” Ivy chuckled and rolled her eyes at his expected request.
“If you dare to break any of the rules, I will take away one by one of the privileges I set.” He laughed at her warning. He could sense her anger in her shaky voice as he admired her patience.
“The same with you. And with this, you are to move into the family’s house tomorrow.” He was done bargaining as he threw his last card to ensure Ivy’s safety knowing she would reach her limit soon. He walked off with the guards leaving Ivy reaching the peak of her anger.
She half expected this and thanked her smart mind for planning to send her brothers all to boarding school except there would be minor changes on Ray’s part as she tried to calm down and think rationally.
However, while waiting for the lift, Jeremy thought for a moment at Ivy’s fuming sight that he had to ensure Charles’ matter got sorted out sooner. With that, he needed to speak with Ray about the situation quickly.
“Ray, get packing. We are leaving tonight. The car will wait for you downstairs.” Ivy nearly threw the vase at Jeremy for that instruction as he walked into the lift when all her brothers held her back as she was holding in her temper and tears.
I’m sorry Ivy. I will explain all these to you one day. Only if you give me a chance to. Jeremy closed his eyes trying to hide all his emotions away from Charles’ guards. He was trying not to be bothered by the fading commotion as wished for the lift door to close faster.