Jeremy had a hard time having Ivy clinging to him all the way till they reached Manes at her grandma's house.

“I promise I will come by to see you…” He coaxed her in front of her grandma’s house but Ivy shook her head, not wanting to let go.

No… I know… But no… Why do I have a bad feeling about this? Don’t go… Ivy could not bring herself to say them to Jeremy as she continued to cling to him, hoping it would somehow make her feel better to let him go.

“I'm going to run late Ivy. Charles will then suspect.” He urged while noticing Ryu was being impatient in front of them. Jeremy caressed her head as she whimpered at the name of her insulter to no avail at comforting herself. Ryu having not seen her that way before, decided to help Jeremy out as he forcefully peeled Ivy away from Jeremy which annoyed Ivy very much. She began to smack Ryu repeatedly. “Let me go! Or I will make you regret this Ophal Ai Rui!”

“Go hurry!” Ryu urged while Ivy squinted her eyes at Ryu for stealing time away from her with Jeremy.

“I'm sorry! He needs to go or else you will be inviting more trouble!” Ryu surrendered as Ivy began to chase after him.

He quickly ran to Auntie Soh's house for refuge. “Arghh!! Auntie Soh help! My sister is trying to kill me! Auntie Soh! Help save my life!!!”

“I was going to let go! Why? Why must you interfere?! Have I ever interfered with yours and Melody’s?! Stop disturbing mine then!” Ivy vented as Auntie Soh chuckled when she saw Ivy caught and smacked Ryu repeatedly.

“Alright enough! Wash your hands and come have lunch. Your brother is here too.” Auntie Soh pretended to scold them after noticing Jin’s uncomfortable state. The siblings were surprised to find Jin standing at the main door.

“Jinny!” Ivy's eyes glowed as she rushed to hug him. “Thank you for helping out.” She said while feeling Jin’s arms tighten on her shoulder.

“Thank uncle. He wanted to come but he had matters to attend to other than looking after Dad.” Jin said while Ivy's reflux returned at the smell of the chicken soup Auntie Soh was serving.

She quickly ran to the washroom to throw up but she recalled she only had water in the morning. Even that was thrown out entirely.

“What’s going on? Why is she suddenly vomiting?” Auntie Soh panicked.

“Is she pregnant?” Ryu asked skeptically which surprised Auntie Soh and Jin.

“Ivy! Are you pregnant?” Ryu instantly asked while banging on the washroom. He heard her laugh before cleaning up and came out.

“Ivy! Answer me, who's the father?” Ryu asked seriously but it sounded comical to her as she laughed making her way to accept a glass of warm water from Jin.

“No… it's the after-effect of the trauma from watching Xylo being murdered.” Jin explained solemnly as he adjusted his glasses while Ivy sighed sipping the water.

“What…” Ryu stuttered as Auntie Soh knew better than to not know so much.

“Oh oh, let me cook her something light. Porridge then…” Auntie Soh quickly went back into the kitchen while Jin made Ivy sit on the couch.

“Why didn't you say anything earlier? Is that why you're so clingy…?” Ryu asked while holding Ivy in his arms as she pouted. “I'm sorry…” Ryu apologised as she smiled and messed up his hair.

“No! No! Ivy don’t spoil my image!” Ryu scolded as she chuckled. “What image do you have left little boy? You didn’t even shower!” She teased him as Ryu hated to admit it but she was right as he shyly scratched his head reminding himself to change his bad habits.

“We should go on a walk after lunch,” Jin suggested as the siblings both raised an eyebrow knowing something Jin wanted to discuss in private. They both nodded solemnly.

As much as they did not want to worry Auntie Soh, she was already closing the shop for the day to ensure she prepared nutritious meals for the siblings considering Ivy’s condition. The siblings nonchalantly went off to the old streets to stroll among the crowds while ensuring Ivy was in the middle of them late in the evening instead as it was a struggle to help Ivy keep her food down.

“What is it that needs you to speak outside?” Ivy asked weakly while Jin pulled her to the phase two hall which had been open to the public recently. Ivy noticed how empty the place was as she sighed heavily.

“Why didn’t you tell us about Jeremy being a friend all this while? Why didn’t you update us on Kyle’s situation? Do you know how much danger he had put you in?” Jin questioned in a disappointed manner noticing the crowd was minimal in the compound.

“Wait, what do mean? What happened? Why are you asking in this attitude?” Ryu questioned Jin as Ivy looked away at the middle of the compound and imagined the phoenix and dragon statue materialise.

“Ivy, answer me. What exactly are you hiding to the extent that now you are highly wanted to be assassinated? Kyle imposed a threat that my end can barely protect if you don’t give details. Charles might not even care I believe.” Jin insisted as Ivy forced herself to hold back her tears.

“I did. That’s the purpose of the press.” Ivy retaliated.

“That was great but not good enough. Ivy we don’t want to explain to Dad when he wakes on your death.” Jin emphasised on his last word.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know about it at first. Ray knew from the start and they have been working together I believe. I only came to know recently maybe somewhere around after the proposal in front there, on the stage… I too thought it was all just a play. For show but… It’s worse than what I thought. He doesn’t only protect us but I’m not sure what exactly happened to his kids after their mother was…” Ivy shuddered in her shaky breath as Jin supported her wobbly self.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“But you could at least share intel with us. With me… You knew I was keeping an eye. I understand about his ex-fiancees but that’s not an excuse to neglect yourself. Ivy, you gave all you had in fighting to defend the company. Dad wouldn’t want to watch you perish with it.” Jin nagged as Ivy smiled gently patting his shoulder to tell him she understood.

“Only then did I realised all along our target was Charles. I didn’t want to let go of Daddy’s company but I really had no choice. It was a target from the beginning.” Ivy’s voice cracked as she forced herself to stay composed. Ryu gently patted her shoulder as she shuddered in anger.

“I know about the backup plans… Go on…” Jin tried to comfort her as Ivy sighed.

“I tried my best to preserve his legacy only for it to be transferred out… I don’t have a choice. Charles was aiming at it and you’re both knowing too much for your own safety.” Ivy explained.

“It’s an empty shell now… IPO so be it. Soon people will know it’s a scam…” Jin pointed out as Ivy nodded.

“What? All this while it was all an act?! All the money issues, the collapse, the transfer… it’s all fake?” Ryu exclaimed as Ivy covered his mouth to lower his echo.

“Calm down. No one has to know. It’s real but it doesn’t have anything to do with us. We could only demand compensation in the end. In fact, I have transferred this old town project to Rahi’s consulting firm. I didn’t release my plans due to this fact and now Rahi’s consulting firm split away from Ophal’s real estate, perhaps it’s time we start filling up this empty space.” Ivy explained as her gaze fell onto a familiar figure walking up to them, Nick.

“Spill the beans, Ms. Ophal. I’m all ears. Thank you for free marketing by keeping Ophals in the news lately. We saved a lot of PR cost and indirectly boosted this little buddy’s performance.” Nick greeted while pointing at Ryu as Ivy smiled before hugging him.

“Good to hear from you, stranger. How’s stuff lately? And with…” Ivy greeted as Nick messed up her hair while she smiled. “It’s fine. We are going out for a bit…” He understood she was asking about Phyllis when she smiled listening to his good progress but he could not help but notice her weak self.

“Haven’t you taken care of yourself lately? I need to give your original fiance a good nagging. You should rest more after handing over your plans to me.” Nick said as Ivy chuckled.

“It’s only temporary. You caught me at the wrong time.” Ivy protested.

“Wait, so now what? We are all still shareholders in Ophal’s real estate… then, this project is under a different company? So being on the news constantly wasn’t only to report you were safe?” Ryu tried to comprehend as Ivy laughed at a very confused Ryu.

“Not for long… Charles is looking at ways to grab our shares from what I have investigated with Uncle James undercovers.” Jin alerted as Ivy’s face instantly turned solemn.

“So it explains the meeting that day…” Ivy finally made sense of the sudden call for dinner as she tried to squat feeling a little exhausted. Nick tried to lead her to the nearest bench when an uncle called out to Ivy.

“Ms. Ophal! Oh, so good to see you here!” The uncle walked over as Ivy walked up and shook his hand.

“Uncle nice to meet you.” She tried to stand strong and greeted him respectfully.

“We are all forever grateful to you for making this town now so lively. Our town people have been worried about the recent news. Have you been well? We heard you resigned as director. Oh, how could you? You have been doing so well for the town.” The uncle complimented as Ivy gently patted his arm to comfort him.

“Don’t worry uncle. It’s only temporary. This project will still go on. I will ensure the town stays this way.” Ivy comforted as the uncle nodded in relief.

“Good to hear. We really do not like the new management. That Oshia is very ruthless.” The uncle said in distress as everyone could understand him.

“By the way, how’s old Mr. Ophal doing?” The uncle asked as Ivy smiled sadly. “He will make it through. Don’t worry uncle. Take care of yourself too. Thank you for contributing to the town’s growth.” Ivy said noticing he was a farmer on a break.

“Thank you, Ms. Ophal. Keep up the good work. We are looking forward to more development.” The uncle complimented as Ivy nodded before sending him off.

Ivy took the chance to sit with the three of them and explained her plans for the area while filling them in with the designs from Jeremy. However, they were interrupted not long after by the town council while making a tour of the phase two newly open space.

“Oh, the Ophals are in town! Ms. Ophal, how are you doing?” Mr. Chang, the head of the town council greeted as Ivy shook his hand.

“I’m well. Thank you for your concern.” Ivy said professionally trying to hide her exhaustion.

“We heard about the news recently… We are very glad that this project has been transferred to Rahi’s consulting firm.” Mr. Chang directed at Nick.

“Yes, we are in the midst of discussing the progress, Mr. Chang. Rest assured, we will come and find you with a solid proposal for this space.” Nick said as Mr. Chang laughed heartily.

“I’m very honored to work with the Ophals and Rahis. Although so, I hope you can hurry up to keep the town people at rest. Everyone is worried about the news… And we are especially concerned with the new management. The Oshia’s youngest son who took your place, isn’t very easy to work with.” Mr. Chang explained as Ivy cleared her throat.

“Don’t worry. Sorry for worrying the public too but give us some time. I promise I will develop here the same quality we did with phase one.” Ivy tried to convince them.

“About the opposite shop house…” Mr. Chang pointed skeptically at the direction and Ivy knew it was the root cause of the problem.

“I understand. That part is unfortunately not transferred to Rahi’s consulting. However, I will do my best to work with them. After all, we were once business partners before.” Ivy explained as Mr. Chang nodded knowingly.

“The town and we, are counting on you Ms. Ophal. Looking forward to hearing from your end, Mr. Lahau.” Mr. Chang said before he left with his team.

The moment Mr. Chang and his team stepped out of the compound, Ivy found herself being overwhelmed by the mess and succumbed to her exhaustion. Jin caught her in his arms before she could collapse to the ground.

“What’s wrong? Why is she so weak?” Nick questioned while Jin rushed to put her on the bench nearby.

“We can’t go out like this. It will trigger news.” Ryu assessed as Ivy waved her hand while holding her heavy head.

Jin was busy making her drink more water. “It’s an aftershock trauma from watching an assassinator’s death. She couldn’t eat anything without throwing up. Let her rest for a moment here. We will leave when she feels better.” Jin suggested as Nick squatted to gently pat her head.

“It’s been harsh on you, isn’t it? Things are getting better. It will end well.” Nick tried comforting her but at that moment, Ivy felt the waves of emotions hitting her.

It meant to her that her time with Jeremy was coming to an end soon.

She held dearly the hope of not having him die like Jason did and even if he had to be jailed she would still have ways to save him.

It also meant when Peter wakes in the future, he might be upset with the choices and decisions she had made so far. All that everyone had comforted her with, would defeat the purpose as only Peter’s opinion alone would matter to her by then. Her greatest fear was to be a disappointment to him.

It also meant she had to hasten her efforts in searching for Daisy’s grandsons' exact location or at the very least know if they were alive.

With that, she could not help but break down in front of all of them, breaking each of their heart.

No one of your age should go through this, Ivy. You have done well. I’m sure you will have a very bright future. Jason would definitely ensure that. I’m sure Jeremy and your brothers are doing so. So do I. I will always root for you. Nick cheered in mind as he gently patted her arm to comfort her.