It was all hell broke loose for Ivy who struggled to suppress all her emotions.

“Ivy! Ivy! Calm down! I will be fine, Ivy! I taught all of you self-defense, how could I not be fine?” Ray comforted as Ivy held on to him tightly while being overwhelmed by her anger.

She forced herself to not sob before they heard the lift’s door close. Marcel and Nick had to pull the porcelain vase of flowers from Ivy forcefully. The brothers surrounded them as Ivy finally cried in Ray’s arms with Marcel and Nick standing close by.

“But there are weapons and guns…” Ivy said through her gritted teeth as Ray tried wiping all her tears away which were falling unwillingly.

“Ivy… you have endured worse mentally. What is this physical pain compared to it? Stay here and fight defending the fort. We all have faith in you, my dear sister. From day one we knew we had a sister who was more vital than she looked. Remember if you need help reach out to any of us. Nick and Marcel are now your pillars.” Ray comforted as Ivy forced herself to calm down and face reality but the moment she thought of her disrupted plans and the danger Ray was putting himself in, she gave back into fear.

“I can’t…” Ivy whimpered as she gripped tightly to Ray’s shirt. “I can’t let you go. It’s not in the plan…” Ivy continued as Ray pulled her face up to meet his gaze.

“Ivy… You’re better than this. You can and you will. I believe in you.” Ivy sighed as she gently rested on his chest allowing the fact to kick into her.

Ray then signaled Nick to walk over and hold her. Ivy did not want to let go but Ray was stronger as he peeled her off him and handed her to Nick. She watched helplessly at Ray leaving to pack in his room while her mind once again raced frantically to amend her plans as she closed her eyes and thought hard in Nick’s arms. Each time she tried, the look of Jeremy’s concerned gaze bothered her as though there was a hidden agenda that she could not decipher.

Ray would be safe since he is Jeremy’s bargaining chip. Nick would be in danger instead if I kept him close by and could be easily targeted as someone weak whom I care for. I need to send him away. In that case, he would replace Ray’s initial position in Manes. I’m left with Marcel but I have Mum… Ivy’s thoughts trailed off when she heard the luggage’s roller.

She quickly stood and ran to hug Ray tightly as she forced herself to remember her brother’s warm embrace.

“Be careful. I will bring you back sooner than you think.” Ivy said with conviction as Ray smiled with their eyes reddening before he headed for the lift.

She wiped her tears away and forced herself to stand strong as she sent a text to Mr. Jin to come to the house to see her for a moment while Ryu and Jin both stood by her side to comfort her as the lift’s door closed. She hated that she suspected something was amidst all along but she could not get things right just yet.

She decided it was only safe to send away all her brothers too and keep this house empty. “Ryu, you would leave tonight as well for Manes and you will accept the offer from Manes High School.” She instructed sending Ryu in protest immediately.

“No, I am not! Not when everything is in this state!” Ryu denied as Ivy closed her eyes to push her sadness away but her tears were falling unwillingly while raising her hand up to him.

“That’s not up for negotiation. Jin, you’re to sign up for a dormitory in high school as well but you have the option to stay close by Uncle James’ protection. This is also not up for negotiation.” She instructed as she walked past Jin who was calculating in mind on Ivy’s plans. He wanted to stop her for an explanation but instead let her continue to roll out her plans.

“Nick, I’m sorry I know you have just recovered and all but I am left with no options. I need you to head to Rahi’s side and defend. I have Marcel here to defend on Ophal’s side. I assure you I will still see you on your weekend gigs here and keep each other updated.” She told Nick as she forcefully wiped her tears away.

Nick sighed reluctantly nodding in agreement as he pulled her in for a hug which she rejected.

“Don’t. Just don’t. Not now.” She protested as she walked back to Ryu.

“Ryu, I will oversee Melody whenever I can and Jin has been doing so via Uncle James’ underlings. So, continue to keep the relationship on a low profile. You should tell her already…” Ryu cried as he hugged Ivy and she took a moment to comfort him.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” Ivy apologised as Ryu shook his head.

“It’s not your fault. How could it be when you are this strong and keeping us safe but you’re all alone fighting…” Ryu whined in tears as she wiped his tears away wondering if it was the same feeling Ray felt when he did with her.

“Silly, I’m not alone. I have Marcel. I am selling the house for our own safety. So, pack most of your stuff away to Manes, please.” She announced as Ryu pulled her off from her hug.

“Then where are you staying?!” He asked worriedly sending Ivy chucked a little.

“I have to move tomorrow don’t I? Don’t worry I have my stepmother with me. If you want, bring along Daisy.” She comforted as Ryu shook his head.

“No, Daisy stays to accompany you. Besides, with Lucky, both of them would keep you busy. But must you sell the house?” Ryu said as Ivy nodded.

“We need the money to pull through the company.” She lied as she urged the brothers to pack. She had yet to arrange a meeting with her stepfather, John whom she hoped would be addressing the financing matters.

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“You should get the car prepared. I will send them down. I’m sorry for such an urgent request.” Ivy apologise to Nick as he finally embraces her.

“Are you sure you can make it?” He whispered as Ivy questioned the same to herself in the midst of her escaped whimper but forced herself to nod.

“I have her. I have both of you too.” She assured as Nick patted her head with his eyes reddened knowing she was forcing herself to stay strong.

“Don’t forget to switch on your lamp every night. I will come to see you every weekend if I could.” She smiled and nodded before sending him off to the lift.

When he left, she wiped her tears away and turned to Marcel. “I know these arrangements must have been too sudden for you but…” Before she could continue Marcel stopped her.

“I understand your acts. Rest assured, I will always support you.” Marcel assured as Ivy smiled.

“Thank you…” She barely could make it audible as Marcel nodded while she tried to stay composed.

“Could you prepare for me the updates on the past few months' accounts and cash flow and set up a meeting with the heads of each department tomorrow excluding Jeremy and Charles' side?” She requested as Marcel nodded.

“Rest assured that would be settled. Considering your timing, I will set the meeting for the afternoon at 2 pm alright?” Marcel suggested as Ivy nodded.

“Good job, assistant.” She praised as Marcel smiled a little.

“Are you sure you don’t need help moving tomorrow?” Marcel asked while the brothers came down with their luggage as Ivy discreetly shook her head.

“Great, the boys are done packing! The rest of the items I will arrange to be sent to Manes or Uncle James’ place. Don’t worry…” She tried to sound cheery as she gave them both one last time a hug when the lift’s bell rang. Mr. Jin appeared and stood by the side watching Ivy sending off her two younger brothers and Marcel.

“Take care of yourself…” Ryu said in tears as nodded and patted his head.

“Go. Hurry, it’s late. I will look after Melody.” She urged as Marcel stepped into the lift with Ryu while Jin hugged Ivy again.

“If there’s anything wrong, use this phone to make contact… There are a few numbers only.” He slipped the phone into her pocket as she rubbed his back and nodded.

“Take care twinny. Focus on studies too…” She reminded as Jin took a look at her. She watched his eyes redden for the first time. He forced himself to nod before heading into the lift.

Ivy forced herself not to tear up when the lift’s door closed as it was not the time yet. “Young lady, why did you call for me this late?” Mr. Jin finally asked noticing the somber mood.

“Uncle Jin, before you leave could I entrust you one final thing?” Ivy requested as Mr. Jin nodded.

“Yes, please, young lady. Anything.” He offered.

“I have sent the boys away to keep them safe. Help me prepare the papers to transfer this house to yourself. Keep it discreet and quick. After that lay low and safe always.” Ivy instructed and Mr. Jin knew he was the lifeline of the family from then on. So, he obliged to her request.

“Sure young lady. Contact me whenever you need anything.” Mr. Jin offered as Ivy nodded.

“Take care, young lady.” Uncle Jin wished sincerely as Ivy sent him off to the lift.

“You too. Just mail the papers to me. Leave soon.” She urged as he nodded when the lift door closed.

With everyone leaving, she walked every edge of the house one last time. The sudden solitary she once felt returned to her again. The deafening silence was creeping into her as she squatted by Daisy on the balcony and began to slowly let reality sip in too.

She only allowed herself to cry for a brief moment by Daisy before slowly packing her stuff. She only packed a little as she knew though the ownership had changed, there would never be a new tenant.

She got dressed and sat by the balcony not able to sleep a wick.

I’m alone. All alone now. She closed her eyes to let the reality set.

You can do this. Ray needs you. Jin and Ryu would be all fine. So is Nick. You have Marcel and Daisy. Both Daisies. She hugged Daisy by her side as she caressed her fur.

You’ll be alright. It’s time to handle Jeremy. She convinced herself as she watched the sunrise and hoped for more strength to pull through the day.

Jeremy brought Ray directly to a bar where he usually held his meetings with his minions in an act to Charles’ guards. Ray was skeptical but he could sense Jeremy was not going to harm him.

“Sit, brother-in-law. Make yourself feel at home.” Jeremy ushered him into his private room as he signaled for the rest of the guards to leave them alone.

When Ray heard the door close behind them, he began to walk forward towards Jeremy before pushing him to the wall and putting his arm on Jeremy’s neck to reprimand him.

“Tell me what exactly are you up to before I choke you to death.” Ray hissed as Jeremy raised his hands up in the air.

“Chill… If you want to ensure your sister’s safety, I am your only card in play. If you dare do what you said, I can guarantee none of you will be safe. He will definitely not seize the opportunity to gain everything when your old man is down.” Jeremy warned in a low voice as he knew the guards would be outside eavesdropping.

“What do you mean?!” Ray pulled him up on his collar. “Who is he?” Ray pestered.

“Easy there… Easy. I am not one hundred percent sure for now but your so-called precious Uncle Charles is not as innocent as he seems and I chose you of all brothers to share this intel with a price.” Jeremy offered as Ray slowly let him go, ready to listen to his explanation.

“Good. Now that I have your attention, let’s make a deal.” Jeremy offered as Ray met his gaze doubtfully.

“I need you to discreetly investigate your uncle so that I can bargain my way around him. I know you won’t believe me. So see this agreement he forced your dad to sign yourself that day.” Jeremy handed it to him and Ray realised it was only Charles, Peter, and Ivy’s name on the agreement of transfer of shares.

Jeremy was not involved at all and he finally understood that it was the cause of Peter’s downfall.

“So, in return, I will ensure your sister’s safety. I promise. After all, I have nothing to lose cause when all this is over, I will surrender myself but not cause I killed my grandmother or Jason. I didn’t. That’s for sure and though it looks like a coincidence, in actual fact, there were other unknown plans behind the scenes which is why you are needed. Besides, you can fight.” Jeremy explained as Ray was stunned but hearing the safety of Ivy was compromised he gladly obliged as he too wanted to seek justice for Peter.

“Fine. If my sister is ever in danger, I will count this on you.” Ray hissed as Jeremy chuckled and instructed him to punch him in an act to the guards of Charles who would be eavesdropping. That way, Ray would be sent directly to Charles and he ought to gain Charles’ trust to work around the illicit business by disguising his real intentions.

Ray gladly did as asked sending Jeremy down on the ground with a bruise on his jaw before the guards barged in and grabbed Ray away to meet with Charles leaving Jeremy to fend for himself.

Jeremy smirked with their plans taking their place as he prepared himself to return to Ophal’s residence to pick up Ivy who must be very devastated. The thought sends Jeremy wincing at the pain he had put Ivy through as he quickly went to get his car to drive off and could not wait to see her again.