Jeremy and the rest of the underworld gang attended the funeral of Xylo which ended peacefully for the day. It was everyone’s first time watching Charles shed genuine tears when they cremated Xylo’s body. It was living proof of the importance of Xylo to Charles that he even withheld all activities for the night.
Jeremy was extremely grateful for that as it gave him more time to fulfill his promise and visited Ivy who had stayed in the comfort of the glass house after a light dinner. She felt bad for suddenly breaking down in front of her siblings and Nick, breaking her promise to Jeremy as well by showing her vulnerable self. She was fortunate that Nick had known of a hidden-back way which he had noticed the construction workers were using all the while as an exit of the location. He decided to carry Ivy home on his back when it was getting late.
Jin was worried about Ivy’s frail condition. He decided to update Jeremy before he left the house, knowing the only one who could comfort her was Jeremy himself. Aside from that, he also informed Jeremy that Ivy should know as a comfort that he had shifted Peter to a safe place.
Jeremy knew Ivy had hit her limit as he rushed to their Grandma’s house to find her enjoying the sight of the pitch-dark sky while lying inside the glass house. He stepped into it at ease as Ivy sat up instantly knowing who it was.
“Hey Vivi, you’re alright?” He greeted while switching on the night lamp by the corner. She instantly checked around his body for scars or wounds with worried eyes as her alert self surfaced.
“I’m fine. It’s a peaceful day. It’s all good…” He assured her before she met with his gaze. She sighed in relief as he pulled her in for a tight hug.
“Have you eaten?” He asked as she continued to hug him and he knew she could not.
He slipped a sour candy into her hand. She lifted it up and smiled as she unwrapped it to eat it. It reminded her of the candy Ray slipped to her when they were about to enter Jeremy’s grandma’s wake. A bittersweet feeling dawned upon her as she wondered why would such thoughts surface at that moment.
“It helped when I had lost my appetite.” He said as she nodded.
“It’s been harsh on you, isn’t it? Shall we head back to Landsfield?” He suggested while leaning onto the table behind him as she searched his gaze for an explanation.
She could feel her nauseousness getting better which made her speak.
“Is there something going on?” She questioned as she leaned closer to him.
“No… not as of now. It’s just to help you rest better with Mum and not worry yourself about work here.” He was attempting to coax her back to study in Landsfield. That way it would keep her mind off from worrying about him constantly too.
She squinted her eyes suspecting something was amidst while biting the candy but she knew she should not give him away just yet. Instead the thought of not wanting to worry Daisy made her shake her head as he chuckled.
“Nothing gets past you does it?” He teased as he caressed her face.
“Actually, your brothers and I have been trying to get you back to study. I know as much as you hated it. You cannot deny the fact that you’re a pure undergraduate. Get back to law studies… I will accompany you…” He coaxed as she glared at him.
“Come on, I promise I will date you. At least let me experience college dating too?” He pleaded as she could not help but smile. “You smiled! You agree! Yes!” He cheered as she laughed.
“Having said so, it’s a tactic to keep you off the grid for a while. It helps in making the enemies let their guard down.” He explained as she reminded herself she was still on the assassin list.
“Besides, I might need some of your expertise.” He carried her to sit on his lap by the desk while she was thinking to herself.
“Charles had been listening a lot to Ray’s advice and most of it was fueled by you through me. Now that we have reached a point where the illegal activities are minimised to accommodate the IPO, could you come up with a proposal for their takeover?” Jeremy asked as Ivy smiled and stole a kiss from him.
“You don’t have to be doing it so soon or even formally. Just give me some pointers. I don’t want to tire you.” He added as she flipped open her laptop and opened a file where she kept all the notes she learned from John.
“Here…” She said weakly as he held her closer to him.
“It contains all the pointers on putting them into the trap. My ultimate plan was to buy back the company but that would depend on how dire the state is by then. There are multiple business exit plans in this case which you can keep in mind but not to be presented unless you need to.” She diligently explained to him and he knew it was the exact tactic only one person could teach her so well. It also confirmed his suspicion of the identity of her backup. John.
He knew he had all that he needed from her notes. With that, he closed the laptop which surprised her, and carried her to the temporary bed as he climbed in and snuggled with her. She gently caressed his face, grateful for another day to be able to have him by her side.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
“You can cry in front of your family from now on. I will permit it.” He said as she smiled sadly knowing one of the three persons earlier must have filled him in with details.
“I’m sorry…” She blinked away her tears which flowed as he wiped them away.
“It’s alright… It’s going to be alright…” He coaxed.
“Could you tell me one thing?” She daringly asked as he nodded.
“Are your children…” She suddenly finds herself tongue-tied while searching his gaze. She did not know to say alive or safe.
“They are safe. I have plans for them. The same I have for you too. Trust me.” He tried to convince her as she nodded skeptically at his plans. She eased into his arms wondering her backup steps in looking for them herself.
“I love you, Vivi. Jin wants me to tell you that he has moved your father to somewhere safe. He said you would know where.” He held her securely in his arms as she pretended to close her eyes while thinking and hummed in acknowledgment. In actual fact, she was at ease knowing Peter was finally closer to home but was bothered with the details she had about his children instead.
Kyle was told about the enemy's plan which failed. “Looks like the original villain now seems to be tamed by the charming princess…” He said while sipping his cup of whiskey in a little jealousy and anger. He was rather disappointed in himself for failing to captivate Ivy after so long.
“It’s time to retaliate and eliminate the threats.” He concluded as his minions understood their task and went to prepare. In actual fact, Kyle had misunderstood thinking Jeremy was the enemy’s ally trying to eliminate the entire team as he planned an ambush on Jeremy in return.
As Ivy headed back to Landsfield to start a new semester in law as promised to Jeremy, she received a call from Ann while strolling with Jeremy to her lecture.
“Ann! How have you been?” Ivy asked excitedly.
“Ivy, I’m good. Thank you very much for the opportunity. I heard about your resignation. I was wondering if you have time, I would like to treat you to a meal with my son.” Ann offered as Ivy smiled while leaning closer to Jeremy.
“Let’s rain-check that first. I will let you know when I’m free. I got to go now. Heading into class.” Ivy said as they walked closer to her lecture hall.
“Oh, you’re back to studies! That’s really good Ivy! Alright, I shall hear from you soon. Take care.” Ann said before Ivy told her to take care too and hung up.
She spun around to steal a kiss from Jeremy who had been accompanying her to university whenever she had classes. The reason no one recognised them was due to Cassandra’s great skills in disguising them both.
“I really don’t want to attend today’s lecture, Jere… Let me have a look at your bar’s accounts?” Ivy tried to scheme her way out of classes almost every day and Jeremy had gotten used to it after a week.
“I may be stupid Vivi but not to the extent that I couldn’t see through you… Leave work out of the question. You know very well your role now…” He rejected as Ivy pouted in annoyance.
Andrew and Sandra were walking passed her lecture hall when they both spotted the couple bickering. At first glance, they did not recognise them but Sandra then took a second glance when she heard the way the girl retaliated.
“Mark my words. I have my way…” Ivy folded her arms and rolled her eyes at Jeremy as he chuckled and pulled her in for a hug.
“Stop making so much pattern. I just don’t understand why aren’t you enjoying the burden being lifted off your shoulders. Studying is great without any responsibilities…” He coaxed as Ivy pushed him away.
“Don’t you know earning money feels the best ever? Studying makes you spend money… Even on extra food!” Ivy vented as Jeremy patted her head and noticed familiar faces walking up to them.
“Why why… If I hadn’t heard you say your famous tagline, I wouldn’t have recognised you both!” Sandra greeted as Ivy spun around and instantly lighted up her eyes as she ran to hug her.
“Arghhh! Sandra!!! Andrew!!!” She cheered with them as Jeremy laughed watching the trio reunite.
“How could you not find us or tell us that you have returned to study?” Sandra scolded.
“Yeah, we didn’t even forget you when we dated. How could you forget us?!” Andrew scolded too.
“I didn’t…” Ivy still insisted she had not returned to classes.
“She is in denial. Long story.” Jeremy added.
“Keep quiet… Studying is a waste of money! And I didn’t forget you both. I just am… busy.” Ivy insisted while folding her arms.
“Have a good day in lectures! I will pick you up later Vivi.” Jeremy said before leaving while Ivy turned around and pouted at the fact that she did not get a goodbye kiss.
“Now, why are you so upset? Didn’t get enough love?” Andrew teased noticing Jeremy was still standing not too far away watching her venting her anger. Ivy messed up Andrew’s hair.
“After so long you’re still such a teaser! Don’t you know to be nicer?” Ivy stomped her feet as she made her way to the lecture hall.
“See you at the library later?” Andrew asked as Ivy raised her hand indicating it was a good plan. Jeremy began to chase after her leaving the couple to stand by the side, ready to watch a show.
Jeremy turned Ivy around before kissing her. She pulled away and snarled at him. “Stop sulking. Don’t let me catch you online at work in classes. Else, I will teach you a lesson tonight…” He warned before leaning closer to her ear. “... in bed.”
His last whisper caught her off guard as she blushed before Jeremy pushed her forward to class.
“Have a good day!” Jeremy cheered again as she smiled all the way into the hall leaving the couple waved goodbye to him as they headed to their own classes too.
“Guess what Jeremy told her?” Andrew asked Sandra as Sandra frowned. “How would I know?” Sandra said innocently.
“Only a man like him could tame her. How else if it wasn’t…” Before Andrew could blurt out the truth, Sandra covered his mouth and threatened to poke him.
“Say some more, I will punish you too for a week without exercising… in bed.” Sandra threatened as Andrew raised his arms in surrender and squinted her eyes at him before she let go of her hand.
“How did you know what I was going to say?” Andrew asked as Sandra snarled at him.
“I was just going to say bribing her with candies or dates perhaps…” Andrew nonchalantly made excuses which Sandra could not help but find amusing as she laughed while Andrew held her hand heading to their lecture hall knowing he had successfully coaxed her.