As Ivy thanked the driver, she stepped into the office in her simple formal wear as a few staff greeted her. She ensured she greeted the security guard warmingly as she knew the lower-end staff were whom she would make good use of as support at all times.

“Uncle Chan, have you eaten?” She greeted looking at his nametag. “Yes, Ma’am. Thanks for asking. Have a good day.” He replied as she smiled.

“Have a good day too! Thank you for all of your hard work. Usually what time are the peak hours?” She randomly created a conversation to stall time in meeting Charles.

“Oh, now, lunch hour and also when everyone leaves.” Uncle Chan replied.

“After midnight, is there still an exit available from the entrance here or is it lock?” She asked casually.

“Oh, this building has other companies too. Usually, rarely there is anyone leaving after one or two in the morning. So, there is a side entrance by the corner there.” Uncle Chan pointed as Ivy nodded. “You must be new! Welcome! Hope you are enjoying your new company?” Uncle Chan wished.

“Thank you, Uncle Chan. There must be other guards too other than yourself? It would so tiring till late night for you to stand on duty?” Ivy prompted more.

“Oh, Miss, over time I have gotten used to it. Yes, there is another young guard, Aman. I will introduce him to you when there’s a chance. One of the companies up there rarely had anyone coming into the office but when they came they would leave very late past midnight. So Aman who is mostly on duty during that shift usually had to look out for their guests.” Uncle Chan may have randomly reported it out of gossiping but it was catching Ivy’s attention.

“How often do they come in?” Ivy questioned. “Once or twice in a few weeks.”

“Do you know which floor is it?” Ivy asked pretending to be curious.

“Hmm… not too sure. But why are you asking?” Uncle Chan began to wonder about her curiosity.

“Ah, just curious about the building safety measures and operations. Thank you, Uncle Chan! I got to go. You, have a good day alright!” Ivy quickly walked off to the lift reminding herself of this piece of news. “You too! Nice talking to you…” Uncle Chan said as he walked to the front entrance and continued on guard.

When Ivy arrived at the meeting room, everyone including Jeremy was staring at her simple formal attire as Charles laughed. She then realised it was no wonder that Uncle Chan mistaken her as a normal staff due to her attire.

“Good to see you again my niece but don’t you think your attire is being too simple for you?” Charles stood and walked towards her as Ivy raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“What brings you here my busy Uncle Charles? As far as I know, I have so many things to run on hand that I really have no time to fit you into my schedule. So you only get five minutes.” Ivy folded her arms as she waited with a smile.

“Oh, if I were you I would not want to miss this piece of news.” Charles teased as he went back and sat. Ivy met with Jeremy’s gaze who was putting his guard up. “Where are you living first thing first? I went to the house and everyone was gone. Vanished. No one was in.” Charles was trying to figure out Ivy’s plan.

“Well, I’m someone’s fiance, so I decided to just shift in and live together. You know, new modern society…” She shrugged nonchalantly as Charles chuckled.

“Where are your brothers?” He asked solemnly as Ivy leaned on the table while folding her arms.

“Hmm… Getting a better environment for sure I supposed. As for Ray, come on, don’t tell me you don’t know. You have been playing favoritism among us siblings. Very clearly he is your favorite.” She retaliated as Charles chuckled again, understanding that Ivy knew he knew about Ray.

“Young lady, he is tough. He should be trained and could go far. Don’t worry bout him. I heard you are selling the house?” Charles asked as Ivy raised an eyebrow and looked at Jeremy, suspecting he told everything but realised she did not tell him before.

“Come on, not surprising for your fiance to tell me. He is just concerned about you.” Charles coaxed which made Ivy more suspicious if Ray told them but why? She reminded herself to check with Jeremy when she had the chance.

“Sold. Don’t worry about it. Not healthy at all for you to worry so much at your tender age. Instead, is that really the reason you’re here early this morning?” Ivy intended to change the topic.

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“You suddenly announced the launch of phase one of the old town project without discussing it with me. How are you supposed to do business this way? Like you said I cannot have too many surprises at my tender age. It’s not good for my heart.” Charles complained as expected by Ivy who chuckled.

“I have been on-site in case you didn’t know. Why can’t it be done with the painting job and set up of the stalls or event halls in just a couple of weeks? Cover up those areas with soundproof clothes and continue your construction. Look, you get paid for phase one completion and Ophal-Rahi's collaboration gets paid too. It’s a win-win. Don’t worry about the preparation Uncle Charles. You’re getting old now. Just let us, young ones help out. Besides, my fiance is by my side supporting me. What are you worried about?” Ivy was walking towards Jeremy and put an arm over his shoulder, half hugging him from the side.

Charles laughed out loud at her action. It took Jeremy by surprise at first but he managed to remain composed and fall into action with her. He held onto her hand as though giving her support. Ivy did not hesitate to kiss his cheek leaving him a little flattered. After all, it was meant to be in Ivy’s plan to keep him off guard, and reacted naturally.

“So, with that five minutes is up. I have another meeting to head to. See you, Uncle Charles.” Ivy said wanting to leave the meeting room.

“Ai Lee, there’s a charity event tonight where I cooperate with the management to build the charity homes. I would like to have you and Jeremy to come. It would be good marketing. Besides, you’ve both officially announced the engagement. Good to show up in public more often.” Charles tested the water on whether they were acting or were they getting real cause as far as he knew, Ivy would not be agreeing to the marriage so easily.

It slipped Ivy’s mind to check the news in the morning on what was written by the press. However, listening to Charles and his urgent visit to the office so early in the morning had probably sent panic to him. He was right about the marketing she thought to herself as she spun around.

“Sure, tell my fiance the details and we will turn up tonight together.” Ivy accepted daringly as Jeremy feared for what was to come after Ivy. Ivy knew the charity event must have some illicit business going on too which gave her more reasons to attend and try digging out some information.

“Make sure you dress up more!” Charles chuckled but got serious when the door closed.

“How exactly did you get my niece to fall for you so quickly?” Charles asked solemnly as Jeremy chuckled.

“Have a little faith in me,” Jeremy said as he led Charles who seemed pleased to leave the meeting room with his minions.

“Don’t forget to ask for the funds.” Charles reminded before entering the lift leaving Jeremy half hesitating but nodded when the lift door closed.

Ivy walked ahead into her office browsing through the news from the press. She was impressed with the power of the press in simultaneously emphasising her engagement and the launch of phase one of the historical town in Manes.

Marcel followed her into her office for her daily morning brief. “The main agenda for the week would be on the launching of phase one historical town…”

“What is the side agenda?” Ivy asked as she spaced out on her seat.

“A few sales launches for the balance of condo units not sold and two collaborations with Rahi consulting for the month on work-life balance talk,” Marcel announced as Ivy sighed at the restricted alternative income.

“Are there… Are we able to come up with something to have a more diversified revenue stream?” She spoke her mind while Marcel raised an eyebrow. “For example?” He asked.

“For example, security guards services?” She was deep in her thought with both hands holding on to her head.

“Where do we find so much manpower?” Marcel asked as Ivy chuckled.

“My uncle Charles and Jeremy’s side would definitely be able to help with that…” She said leaving Marcel a little skeptical.

“But how sure are you they would provide you the manpower?” He questioned. “They will demand for money soon for sure and will continue to keep taking money from us. So in return, they should send me the manpower. That way they generate their own money for themselves.” Ivy told Marcel as he finally understood Ivy’s plan.

“That’s brilliant!” He exclaimed as Ivy smiled. She recalled the documents for the sale of the family home and wondered how it was doing.

Right when she wanted to dive into the next agenda, Marcel gave her a document couriered.

“Speaking of which…” He said while Ivy looked at him. He urged her to open it. “Got it this morning.”

Ivy looked at the address to find it was from Mr. Jin’s hometown. “Speak of the devil…” She mumbled and smiled while opening the envelope. She quickly read through the details and was satisfied with how quick the process was. As she signed the documents, Marcel stepped forward toward her table and saw it was a transfer of the name to a foreign name, Alasus Yin Tam Mai. The more he read the more he realised it was not a sales and purchase agreement.

She looked up at him and winked as she smiled. “Keep this a secret between us, please. Help me courier it back to him.”

Marcel smiled knowing Ivy had her plans. “So, it’s…”

She nodded and put a finger over her lips. “That’s his formal name I supposed. It’s just transferring over temporarily. Get on. So, on phase one of the launch, let’s have a meeting with the team and get an update. Leave the brothers out of this. Do this every morning if required. If I need the boys in then we will get down to it in the afternoon.” Marcel nodded as he took down notes.

“Speaking of which…” Ivy mumbled while standing with her cup of tea and headed out to the meeting room reminding herself to catch up with Cassandra and Melody.

On the way, she sipped her tea before instructing Marcel while sitting in the meeting room. “Go ahead and gather them in first. I will wait...”

Marcel excused himself hurriedly to gather the team leaders and was impressed with Ivy’s first day’s efforts.