Warning: This chapter contains content that may not be suitable for some readers

Ivy had not realised how much she had missed her favorite duo till she sat in front of them in the library. It reminded her of the times they were doing the same in her grandma’s place during their college days and before. Despite studying different subjects now, she was glad with her decision to head back to studies and took law instead.

“Inductive and deductive investigation are very different. In every research, they would use these two methods.” Sandra explained as Andrew pondered.

“But I felt integrating both is still the best, honey,” Andrew concluded as Ivy sat quietly and read her case study but could not concentrate.

“It depends, sweetie. There are times when petty crimes would not need to use deductive.” Sandra said as Ivy looked up with Andrew ready to protest but halted. It was her first time listening to the lovebirds calling each other nicknames and it got her a little jealous but she was more interested in their topic.

“Sorry, disturbing? Too loud?” Andrew asked Ivy as she shook her head.

“Fascinated. Speaking of which, how do you apply these two study methods to looking for missing people?” Ivy questioned trying to be general to not trigger them into suspecting her motive.

“I would say deductive outright would be an ideal approach,” Sandra said confidently.

“What is deductive and inductive to be precise?” Ivy questioned.

“Example… Deductive requires evidence from the scenes. Last seen locations and its vicinity to the last contact person... As for inductive it's a quick profiling made based on the past known similar cases to the missing person’s.” Andrew explained as it made Ivy realised she had no clue when and where was the last seen of the children. She only knew how they looked and that they were safe.

Andrew continued discussing with Sandra a bit more when they caught Ivy zoned out.

“Hello… what are you thinking about?” Andrew knocked the table in front of Ivy and was a little too loud when the librarian came to hush them.

“Are you alright? Is there something wrong?” Sandra whispered as the librarian walked off. Ivy shook her head.

“Nothing just analysing your information.” She smiled innocently.

“Looks like things are well with Jeremy. Looks serious…” Andrew asked as he leaned forward to face Ivy while teasing her.

Ivy had no choice but to nod.

“Since when?” Sandra eagerly asked as Ivy blushed.

“The proposal I guess,” Ivy whispered while Sandra and Andrew broke into another dramatic surprised laugh which the librarian came to give them another warning.

“But what happens next to the company? Are you just going to let the bad ones bring it down?” Andrew questioned after appeasing the librarian who had left.

Ivy took a deep breath and smiled.

“Not to worry. Things are under control. Got to go. Speak soon.” Ivy packed and stood as the couple nodded and waved to her.

Ivy realised she was always uncomfortable whenever being asked about her future plans after her resignation. Partly cause she could not reveal her backup plans which were progressing smoothly under Mr. Archwabal and she did not want to get people who knew into unnecessary trouble later. While hailing for a taxi home, she finds it strange that Jeremy is not reachable and neither was he waiting for her that day.

When she stepped into the house, she found Daisy busy with the dogs.

“Mum, what's wrong with Lucky and Daisy?” Ivy quickly chucked her bag and laptop on the couch before approaching them.

“Oh, this mini-me is about to give birth. Lucky is just worried and restless because of her.” Daisy explained as Ivy was amazed.

“Oh dear, I had not known they were going to be parents soon! I just thought Daisy had put on weight.” Ivy lamented as Daisy chuckled.

“Well, you could experience a dog's childbirth in a few hours,” Daisy said as Ivy was still in awe when Daisy’s grandsons crossed her mind.

“Mum, when was the last time you saw the kids?” Ivy questioned as Daisy was a little taken aback by the sudden change of topic.

“Why? Do you have news finally?” Daisy questioned excitedly as she held on to Ivy.

“I only know they are safe and alive. Jeremy confirmed. I'm looking for clues as to their whereabouts. Do you think he hides them on purpose for their safety?” Ivy asked as Daisy wondered awhile.

“If that's the case then I doubt they are in town or anywhere nearby. Perhaps you're right that he worries someone might harm them but who?” Daisy raised her doubt and Ivy clearly knew who.

It was none other than her uncle but looking at the situation at hand, it seemed unlikely Charles would do anything on the children since he was very occupied with the funeral and IPO. A sudden barge from the main door startled both ladies as Real and Chiang carried and half dragged Jeremy who was heavily injured by a slash to the couch.

“Jeremy! Oh dear, what happened?!” Daisy exclaimed as she examined his injury.

“You need to head to the hospital. The wound is really deep!” Daisy said after examining as Real instantly protested.

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“No, it's not safe! We need liquor to clean his wound and we have to sew him here.” Real insisted as Daisy flew to get the liquor.

“Who did this?” Ivy asked while gritting her teeth in anger while Jeremy was groaning in pain, trying to endure it.

“We were ambushed by Kyle's underlings while on the way to fetch you,” Chiang said while Real tried to hold Jeremy down. Daisy returned with a few bottles of antiseptic sanitizers instead.

Real hurriedly used them on the bandage. “Ivy, you need to hold him down strong while I clean his wound. He had taken painkillers earlier but it's not an immediate effect.”

Ivy was weary with the strength she had and Real could tell.

“Ivy, can you do it?” Real asked solemnly as Ivy shook his head. “I don’t think I’m that strong enough.”

“Then I will hold him down, you clean his wound and might need to sew them up. Can you do that?” Real explained as Ivy hesitated at sewing him up.

“But… but it will hurt him…” Ivy's tears sprang as Daisy squatted by her side.

Jeremy groaned in pain weakly trying to reach out to Ivy. “Honey, you need to try. Stay calm. I will assist you.” Daisy coaxed Ivy instead noticing Jeremy was struggling to reach her.

“I don’t … don’t know how to stitch human skin. I mean I did it a few times with my grandma on poultries or clothing but not like that… Mum, I can’t! It’s Jere…” Ivy nearly broke down but she withheld when she felt Jeremy’s hand reaching out to her arm.

She turned around to meet with his weak but encouraging gaze. She frowned as she forced herself to stay calm before holding his hand.

“Are you sure?” She asked in a shaky voice. He nodded and lay back down on the couch, feeling less pain as he knew the painkillers were kicking in.

Ivy could tell he was less in pain too when she slowly made her way to clean his long deep wound which looked like it was from a machete. She hoped very much for his bleeding to stop quickly as Daisy assisted her by pressing on more clothes while he bravely endured his occasional muffled groans with a towel stuffed in his mouth to prevent him from injuring himself especially when she sewed his wounds shut. It was all thanks to her experience when she was living with her grandma that she could complete the task calmly.

After ensuring Jeremy was resting while Daisy and Chiang cleaned up, Ivy walked into the garden to take a breather, pushing all the adrenaline of stress away.

Ivy, it’s fine. Jeremy is fine. It’s over. He isn’t in pain anymore… Ivy tried coaxing herself.

Think Ivy. What are you going to do about Kyle and his attacks? There’s also the kids to save. Would Kyle know where these kids are since he now works closely with Charles? If I were to get myself close to him, I am sure I would get something out of it. But these people would definitely not allow me to… Ivy sighed as she felt dizzy for a moment, holding onto the garden table for support when Real approached her.

“Ms. Ophal, you’re alright?” He asked as Ivy waved her hand and nodded but Real had already helped her to sit. She realised Real addressed her formally like usual compared to earlier he called her first name amid the panic.

“You did well. He is fine now. Don’t worry about Kyle. We already have our ways…” Real tried comforting Ivy when her phone rang.

“Hello?” She picked up seeing it was Jin.

“Ivy. Uncle James is here with Cassie and me. We heard about the ambush on Jeremy…” Jin said before Uncle James interrupted.

“Ai Lee, I have my underlings guarding the Rahi’s residence but it would be difficult if the other party found out. I suggest it would be best if you could keep a low profile next few days till all of these die out…” Uncle James said as Ivy held her head and sighed.

“I know what to do. He is resting. Thank you.” Ivy said before hanging up.

Jin sighed at the chance trying to tell her about big news as James tapped his shoulder to comfort him before heading to his brother’s bedside. Peter for the first time after he was awake, smiled at James for being able to listen to Ivy’s voice even if it was briefly.

Ivy sat for a moment to ward off her dizziness and had an idea stirring up in her mind as she filled Real in with her plans.

“But Ms. Ophal, the boss will not agree to this…” Real protested just as Ivy expected.

“Ivy…” She said to Real who was momentarily confused. “Call me Ivy from now on when we are around with familiar people. Skip the formality.” Ivy explained as he nodded meekly.

“We don’t have a choice. I will contact the girls to prepare to cover the news of our short retreat to wherever Jere wants to go. I hope you can get your team to protect them while at it. Keeping us all in the face of the press is the only way I can ensure security like I always do. Kyle and his team will not be able to harm us but instead, he will find ways to harm all of you. So, I hope you will stay here to guard the fort till he heals.” Ivy pleaded with Real.

Real began to make some sense of her clarification. “Alright. I will go make preparations. Just one thing Ivy…” Real paused and looked apologetically at her.

“Take very good care of yourself too. The person the boss was very worried earlier about was you. He could not be at peace till he sees you safe and sound.” Real told her as she nodded assuringly before heading in to see her mum had gone to shower leaving Chiang waiting to leave with Real.

As she sat next to Jeremy who was asleep, she then noticed Lucky was restless as he was whining nearby Daisy. She went over to take a look only to learn that Daisy was about to give birth.

“Oh no, Daisy are you alright? Oh dear, how do you do this?” Ivy was mumbling to herself without noticing Jeremy slowly made his way to her.

“What’s wrong?” He asked softly which startled Ivy.

“Oh Jere… You shouldn’t be here. Your wound might open up….” She lamented.

“I’m fine… The painkiller had kicked in and the wrap was tight. What’s wrong? Is Daisy giving birth?” He asked as she was left speechless.

“How did you know?” She mumbled while turning her attention back to both dogs.

“How could I not? We used to have litters when she mated with our neighbor’s dogs. And it was exactly the same situation now. Bring some warm water and a towel.” Jeremy instructed while he continued to stand holding on to his injured side.

When Ivy returned, he quickly instructed her to monitor Daisy till her litter of puppies was all out.

“It will take awhile…” He said as she sighed recalling her plans earlier.

She stood and went over to hug him. He could feel how tense she was as he gently rubbed her back.

“It will be alright. It’s all good now. Sorry for the scare.” He comforted.

“Let’s head to the rainbow town you always wanted to go. We need to stay low for a while. Although so for security, I have prepared the girls to do a coverage on our mini vacation. It would camouflage on how severe your injury was…” Ivy explained and was not planning to let go till he agreed. He tried to face her but he knew her intentions.

The door upstairs opened and a man clearing his throat was heard followed by the footsteps of two people coming downstairs. That forced the couple to break away unwillingly.

“Dad…” Ivy called out as John nodded while Daisy was smiling sweetly.

“I heard your plans. Let’s all go together… as a family.” John suggested as Daisy nodded in agreement leaving the couple flabbergasted for a moment.

“Don’t need to hide. We know how real it is…” Daisy teased as Ivy blushed into Jeremy’s arms. Jeremy for the first time took a good look at his happy parents.

“You should come over more often,” Jeremy said to John as Lucky began to run towards Daisy for help.

“Oh dear, his wife’s delivery must be done by now…” Daisy said as she went over to take a look and was overjoyed by her six little puppies.

“Jere…” John called out as he signaled Jeremy to follow him into the study to talk, leaving the ladies to tend to the puppies.