On returning from work that night, Ivy was disturbed by Cassie’s sharing. As she alighted and headed inside the semi-dark house, she was greeted by Daisy and Lucky who were wiggling their tails at her.

She squatted slightly to pat both of them before letting them trail her upstairs. The sight of Jeremy’s room reminded her that she should gain access to his bar premises and clubs to continue a fruitful search.

With that, a mischief cooked up in her mind as she sneakily opened his room’s door and saw he was sound asleep. She scurried back down to the kitchen to take a small fruit knife before emerging back into his room.

Jeremy stirred when he felt movements on his bed. It began to get uncomfortable when Ivy was positioning herself in front of him between his legs as both dogs were whining by his bedside. She put a finger on her lips to tell the dogs to stay quiet.

As Jeremy opened his eyes and met with Ivy’s gaze, she flashed him an evil smirk before lifting the knife as though wanting to pierce it into him. He panicked and fought to push her out of the way.

“Ivy! Stop! Ivy, no!” He yelled as the dogs began to bark but she pinned him down in bed.

“Not till you let me have access to your bars and clubs anytime…” Ivy laughed hysterically which frightened Jeremy thinking it must be due to her sleep paralysis or her unstable mental state.

“Ivy! Listen, put that down first… anything can be negotiated…” Jeremy pleaded as he fought her knife’s direction.

“Like I said not till…” Ivy repeated when Daisy appeared at his room’s door after hearing the commotion.

“No!” Jeremy wanted to make protecting her a priority but when he felt she put more pressure on the hand holding the knife, he panicked.

“Ivy! Jeremy! What’s going on?!” Daisy yelled in panic as the dogs began to climb on the bed and bark at Ivy who was laughing hysterically as Jeremy was forced to give in.

“Alright! Alright! You have access! Put that knife down now Ivy!” Jeremy yelled as he finally pushed Ivy backwards noticing she had loosened up her fight. He sat up and quickly pinned her down on the opposite side of the bed. As he watched Ivy squinting her eyes at him with hatred, Daisy pulled Ivy away.

“You better remember!” Ivy reminded before being dragged into Daisy’s room leaving Jeremy very disoriented.

“Ivy! Are you alright? What was that about?! I thought we were just to teach him a lesson?!” Daisy quickly checked on Ivy who calmed down in her room as both dogs whined beside them worriedly.

“I’m fine, mum. It was to teach him a lesson.” Ivy spoke normally which frightened Daisy.

“Are you sure?” Daisy asked skeptically on both statements as Ivy nodded and smiled.

“It was a trick to get him to let me into his premises. That way, it gets easier to find your grandsons.” Ivy said solemnly which made Daisy calm down but began to sob in Ivy’s arms reminded of her poor grandsons' unknown whereabouts.

The next morning, Jeremy woke up groggily recalling the night incident. He was concerned if Ivy needed a psychiatrist. At the dining table, Ivy acted like nothing happened as she spread her bread with a butter knife. The sight of it sends a chill down Jeremy’s spine.

“Son, had a good sleep?” Daisy asked as Jeremy nodded shakily before sitting and pouring a cup of coffee.

Ivy pointed the butter knife at him as he spilled a little of the coffee on the table.

“Ivy, put that down!” Jeremy got up while panicking as he put down the pot of coffee.

“Calm down…” Ivy giggled as she put down the knife. “Remember what you promised.” Ivy pointed her finger this time at him and said in a sudden serious manner which startled him a little. It made Daisy chuckle.

“Are… are you sure you don’t need to visit your therapist?” Jeremy stuttered as Ivy smiled.

“Let’s see… Not unless you keep up your exercise outside daily…” Ivy reminded which made Jeremy roll his eyes.

“I will… I will…” He mumbled.

“I will consider. Not till I stepped into your premises. See you tonight at Manes.” Ivy stood from the dining table which made Jeremy drop his toast on the plate watching wearily at Ivy heading to the shoe shelf before leaving for work. “Bye, Mum!”

“Bye, sweetie!” Daisy replied nonchalantly as she bit into her last bit of toast.

“Mum, are you sure she is alright to walk outside the streets in that condition?” Jeremy asked worriedly which surprised Daisy for a moment.

“Why? Are you concerned she would run amok at others? I think it’s a good idea since it’s a defense for her too. Don’t you think so? Now, eat in peace son. Don’t think too much…” Daisy shrugged the topic off as she laughed before heading to the kitchen with hers and Ivy’s empty plates.

Jeremy checked in with his minions in his office block discreetly, as they updated him on important updates.

“What’s the outcome?” Jeremy questioned Chang and Real as Real obtained a file from one of the minions and passed it to Jeremy.

“The culprit is Xylo…” Real announced as Jeremy grabbed the file and flipped through the details of both Grandma’s and Jason’s accident. His fears were growing inside of him for Ivy.

“Who is that guy that night?” Jeremy asked as Chiang showed him another file.

“Kyle. Mr. Oshia’s youngest son who has been charged before for drug allegations and also rape before this. He had a history with Jason and Ivy.” Chiang explained as Jeremy forced his anger to subside.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“How did they know each other?” Jeremy asked in between gritted teeth.

“Keith drugged Ivy and attempted rape but failed,” Chang said briefly.

“Charles is playing with fire!” Jeremy yelled as he banged the table.

“Keep the protection on Ivy tight. If she barged into the clubs or bars, look out for her even more. Let her in but keep her off all these details and our activities.” Jeremy instructed as each of his minions replied in unison “Yes, sir.”

Be careful of Xylo. He is the culprit in all the deaths. I will tighten the guards on Ivy. Jeremy texted Ray to give him an update. Ray had no choice but to trust Jeremy while continuing with his act of trying to provoke Xylo knowing Xylo could not harm him who was under Charles's protection as long as Ray did not blow his cover. His worries grow for Ivy even more but he knew Ivy could manage it.

Ivy was going through the finances in Landfield’s office and ensuring she had things in order in Manes before she received a call from Ryu.

“Yes?” She asked briefly before continue typing but it was silence on the other line.

“Ryu? You there? You’re alright?” She prompted.

“Ivvvvvvyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy…” Ryu whined over the line sending Ivy to regret her prompts as she rolled her eyes, continuing with her work as she put him on loudspeaker.

“Ivyyy, I miss Melody. She has not been replying to me other than work-related… Did she reply to you? Did you meet her? Is she coming with you tonight?” Ryu asked continuously but Ivy ignored him.

“Ivy? Hello? You there? Hey, don’t ignore me!” Ryu scolded as Ivy chuckled.

“Busy unlike you… I have stuff I need to look at before I leave in a while.” Ivy complained.

“Ivy, I don’t think I can perform the last song with you…” Ryu’s announcement made her stop her work for a moment.

“Then what? I perform solo?” Ivy asked skeptically.

“It’s not really suitable though you could… you just need to rearrange the composition I suppose…” Ryu mumbled as Ivy sighed.

“It’s just a song. Why can’t you be professional and perform it with me as arranged? One last song.” Ivy insisted but Ryu sighed heavily.

“I can’t bring out the right feeling when I practice. How am I supposed to, in this state?” Ryu whined again leaving Ivy knowing she should not pester him.

“I will think of something. Just make sure you can play well for the rest of the performances and perhaps you should just keep things professional with Melody first considering the circumstances we are in. In a way, I’m not saying you both are ending things or anything but it’s your way to secretly protect her, if that makes any sense.” Ivy said as Ryu realised she was right as he hummed in acknowledgment.

“It seems things are smoothly ironed out at the site?” Ivy checked with him.

“Performances wise not too bad other than what we discussed. The exhibition site is in the process of being set up. Vendors at the moment remain the same with no changes.” Ryu updated as Ivy smiled.

“Perfect! See you in a bit.” Ivy hung up before grabbing her belongings and stepped out of her office to find extra guards waiting for her. She blinked for a moment catching Real’s gaze.

“What’s going on?” Ivy questioned while walking with all of them to the lift.

“Just some precaution while on the way to Manes.” Real briefly updated as Ivy was still not convinced but shrugged it off thinking Jeremy overthought stuff.

Jeremy and Ivy sat quietly all the way to Manes when it suddenly dawned on Ivy to use Jeremy as Ryu’s replacement when she browsed through the agenda for the weekend event.

Jason could sing and play the piano back then which means Jeremy should be able to do the same too. She thought to herself.

“Do you play the piano?” Jeremy was startled by her sudden question as Ivy blinked awaiting his reply.

“A li… little... Gui…tar much better...” He stuttered a little before answering which made Ivy grin with a mischievous look.

“Err… I don’t like that look of yours. Please don’t do what is on your mind. No thanks.” Ivy sat closer to him as he spoke, pinning him to the corner of the back seat while wrapping his waist in her arms as he raised both arms in the air in fear.

“Oh, don’t worry. I just need you to perform the last song with me.” Ivy said which made him frown.

“Isn’t that with Ryu?” He asked. “Well, look who chicken out. So…” Ivy winked at him.

“Let’s keep the press impressed and do more coverage on us. Aren’t you always loving their attention too?” Ivy bargained which made him shake his head.

“No.” He folded his arms and looked outside of the car when he realised they were about to reach.

He quickly alighted when the car came to a stop as Ivy rushed to catch up with him.

She pushed him to a corner and pinned him to the wall. “Look, no matter what you say I won’t agree.” Jeremy insisted.

“Are you sure?” Ivy provoked him by raising an eyebrow as he rolled his eyes.

“What if I tell you, I will approve an additional 1 million on top of the 1 million I approved today?” Ivy smirked watching Jeremy contemplating and fighting with himself.

“It looks like someone can’t resist money. Come on, I will play the guitar. You just focused on singing… with me. I will rearrange the composition in a bit.” Ivy explained before she caught the sight of everyone staring curiously with giggles and whispers at them on the site.

“Your silence seals the deal of agreement. Will get back to you later sweetie.” Ivy kissed his cheek leaving him stunned as she walked off backstage to start getting updates while the crowd was left melting in their sweet act earlier.

Jeremy blushed a little before groaning in agitation for not being able to resist her offer earlier as he walked towards the backstage but passed by a very messy exhibition of the town’s history. He frowned again while walking around the maze of the exhibition as though he was a visitor and immediately felt agitated.

“Who is in charge of this maze?” Jeremy questioned the staff as they looked towards Ryu’s direction. “Me,” Ryu answered briefly.

“Instead of stacking each of them in a zig-zag formation why not lay them in a flowing dragon form? After all, it’s the town’s mascot. Plus orang asli or this Seletar origin should be first since Inklong is just part of the huge tribe.” Jeremy suggested without looking at who replied as Ivy watched them from behind with the arrangement of songs composition in hand.

Ryu shrugged and waved his hand. “Let it be. Do whatever you want.”

Ivy was a little disappointed with Ryu as Melody met her gaze from afar, worrying about Ryu. Ivy smiled briefly at her as she walked down the stairs. Each day, Jeremy’s creativity impressed Ivy more.

“Rearrange the exhibition as per Mr. Rahi’s instructions. You’re in charge of this section from now on. Ensure the history isn’t messed up.” Ivy instructed as the employees nodded and obliged, leaving Jeremy a little stunned realising it was Ryu earlier and he suddenly landed himself on an important task. The staff began to question him on how to place each piece.

Ivy chased after Ryu who was walking lifelessly passed Melody. “Is this how you’re going to be from now on? Leaving your responsibilities? Where did your professionalism go Ryu?” Ivy nagged as Ryu ignored her with an upset look.

“Hey Ophal Ai Rui! I’m talking to you!” Ivy finally vented as she was getting angry at Ryu’s childish act.

“Leave me alone! I had enough of all this crap in our lives! I don’t care what is cooped up. I don’t care what runs along! I just… don’t care anymore!” Ryu vented by the side of the road as he caught a glimpse of some guards and Real following them.

Ivy sighed and hugged Ryu who was crying. “Why… why are they following us? Can’t we have some privacy too? I miss you! I miss our family! I can’t protect you! I promise I can protect her! I promise I won’t let her go but… why… Why???” Ryu wailed in Ivy’s arms as she sympathised with his situation.

She could understand he was still a very young boy. Though Peter had brought them up tough but Ryu’s breakdown proved that they were all human beings after all, succumbing to their teenage haywire genes.