Things haven’t turned out smoothly as Jeremy expected considering Ivy had been paying closer attention to the ongoing construction during day time despite his shifting of drugs done late at night. Ivy was scrutinising every inch of the site but Jeremy was lucky that Ivy was lack of experience as she has not figured to check those packages of raw materials which were not been opened yet.
“Come, come Jeremy. Stop being frustrated about my naive niece. Drink to your heart tonight! It’s all on the house!” Charles persuaded Jeremy who was puffing his cigarette. Jeremy who came to Charles' safe house with a long face had been agitated the whole day by Ivy.
“She better stopped lurking so much. Speak to your brother to shift her out or…” Jeremy glared at Charles with a warning. “I won't hesitate to make a move to ensure things goes smoothly,” Jeremy warned with so much vengeance that he downed a glass of whiskey. Charles was taken aback a little as he chuckled and nodded while continuing to pour more liquor for Jeremy.
Charles knew he had no choice but to protect Jeremy’s deal well and once he had received his portion of the money, he wouldn't have to worry about dealing with Peter and his children.
“Speaking of which, let’s attend my brother’s annual Christmas party on the eve. Good chance for you to monitor them and at the same time, good stuff can be moved on that night too.” Charles hinted to Jeremy that his illegal acts could take place while he attended the event to ensure that the shift out of drugs’ stock could be done smoothly.
That plan lightened Jeremy’s mood by a lot as they both nodded and chuckled in tacit understanding while they drank the whole night.'
Ivy who had been poking into the construction business after her exams as prompted by James had noticed nothing was wrong with the number of units of inventories as she spot-checked. She couldn’t find anything wrong at all strangely. She decided to speak with James about her frustration. At the same time, she also received a notification from Cassandra to drop by to try out the outfit she had prepared for Ivy for the family’s Christmas party.
As Ivy decided to take a little break after arriving at Landfields by visiting Cassandra, she sighed remembering the times she always promised Cassandra to drop by and let her dress Ivy up with more tailor-made attires. Cassandra spotted Ivy at the main entrance as she left James with his tea before quickly escorting Ivy into the boutique and taking her directly to a secret passage in the basement.
“Cassie…” Ivy gasped in surprise when she saw the secret passage which was blocked by the projector projecting the main door’s CCTV.
Cassandra smiled and nodded to indicate Ivy should come in quickly. “Come in… It’s a secret passage only your trusted family members know,” Cassandra said as she led Ivy to James.
“My niece! Good to see you again…” James approached Ivy and gave her a hug as though he was releasing all his worries away. “Uncle James… What are you doing here?” To Ivy’s surprise, the meeting with James was also happening concurrently. She raised an eyebrow at Cassandra while James let her off his embrace to explain the situation.
“Meet my adopted daughter, Cassandra.” James introduced as Ivy blinked in surprise.
Jin walked out from a corner where all screens of CCTV and recording devices were seen. Ivy gasped even more. “Hey, twinny! Glad to see you home safely! Welcome to the secret base.” Jin greeted her with a hug.
“And how many more surprises are there? Who else knows this? Oh, you better fill me in quick!” Ivy smacked Jin lightly as Jin and James chuckled while Ryu opened the main door of the secret base and came in with Ray.
All of the brothers were very worried about Ivy’s dangerous act in Manes that hearing she was visiting Cassandra, they all agreed it was only right to finally let her in on the family secret.
Ryu couldn’t stop himself from hastening his steps and pulled Ivy in for a tight hug. Ivy felt like she was about to be crushed but she could feel Ryu was very worried and so was the look on Ray’s face as his eyes reddened.
Ivy was a little confused by their reactions as she thought she was only away for exams and a little work. “Chill buddy… I was only away for exams. I’m back now.” Ivy comforted Ryu as Ryu let her off his embrace for Ray to hug him. Ray may seem tough on the outside but he was the most sentimental among the brothers as he couldn’t help but sob a little.
Ivy gently patted his back. “Whatever it is, it’s over. I am back and am alright now. Don’t worry.” Ivy comforted as Ray forced himself to calm down.
“Chill… sit and take a deep breath first all of you. Camomile tea. Good with a calming effect.” Cassandra persuaded as Ivy led Ray to sit in front of James. When everyone was more settled, James began to speak.
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“Ivy you need to stop lurking into the construction site daily. You’re in danger.” James warned as Ivy squinted her eyes in surprise. “But I haven't gotten a clue on what was wrong…” Ivy justified.
“Of course, you wouldn't! You’re looking at too obvious places. You need more experience!” Ryu scolded as Jin revealed recordings and CCTV footage of the conversations Jeremy and Charles had on many occasions about their dealings.
“So, you all knew all along what was going on? And why is dad not doing anything when the company is at risk?” Ivy questioned as James sighed. “Your dad must have his reasons but for now we need to keep you safe. So, stay for a while here in Landsfields. I will assure your safety.” James explained as Ivy skeptically nodded in agreement.
“Dad doesn't know about all this then?” Ivy asked as Jin shook his head. “Only us,” Ryu explained while Ray was tightening his grip on Ivy’s hand whom he was holding on to all the while. Ivy patted gently on Ray’s hand to comfort him before turning her attention back at the rest of them.
“And how did Cassie become your adopted daughter?” Ivy asked James curiously.
“That’s a long story, Ivy. In short, if it wasn’t because of dad’s minions who came to save me in the nick of time when I struggled from Jeremy’s gang, I might have been forced into marriage with him or even… dead.” Cassandra looked away remembering the gruesome moments of her past as Jin looked at Cassandra to confirm if she was alright to reveal the evidence to Ivy. Cassandra nodded affirmatively.
Ivy could not believe her eyes the moment she walked over to the technology devices section and laid her eyes at the pictures, CCTV footage, and recordings of Cassandra’s forceful kidnapped as a bride. The squeals heard from the recording where she was nearly close to being raped, forced Cassandra who was standing bravely by one corner to shut her eyes. As she did that, Jin was watching over her, worried that she will have a mental breakdown but soon she managed to get over it when the recordings ended. She eyed back at Jin and nodded at him to assure him she was alright with a smile. James watched the couple’s level of understanding and was proud that he didn’t pick the wrong person as his adopted daughter. Cassandra was after all a tough woman who had gone through too many tragedies in life that she deserved this loving family.
“Will dad be alright?” Ivy started to worry as she could sense trouble was brewing.
“Don't worry… for now we will monitor and since, on Christmas eve night, they decided to shift out their stocks, it would look bad on Peter’s project if we alert the police on this. The losses that will be suffered are not beneficial. Instead, we are slowly collecting evidence. Perhaps, you should know something about Rahi’s grandma’s death…” James revealed as he signaled Jin to play the recordings and CCTV footage.
“Just how many places did you all bugged?” Ivy questioned obliviously thinking it wouldn’t be much trouble before Jin pressed the play button.
“Uncle James’ people were working undercover to do this...” Jin explained as he was ready to press the play button of the recording where it was revealed that Jeremy plotted the accidental death of their grandma.
Ivy who was nonchalantly preparing herself to listen to the recordings as though it would be of a small matter was trying hard to control her tears while she shook her head in disbelief.
“No… No, this can’t be true… No…” Ivy said in denial as Cassandra hugged her and helped her to take a seat at the table with James while Ray and Ryu both sat by her side to comfort Ivy.
“Twinny…” Jin squatted in front of Ivy who was still shocked as he held her hand.
“You need to be very strong moving forward. Promise me you must keep all these a secret as we continue to collect evidence and when the time is right, we will reveal them to the authority…” Jin comforted as Ivy’s eyes reddened when reality finally registered in her mind.
“For now… Promise me you would stay away from the Rahi’s.” Ivy's tears kept flowing as Ray spoke while she leaned onto his chest and sobbed after nodding. Ryu watched his sister helplessly as he gently patted her head to comfort her. The sight of the brothers comforting their sister made James feel proud of his brother to have such filial children who cared for each other and were at ease that they would be able to reveal the truth when the time comes. He reminded himself to always look out for all their safety.
In her mind, Ivy had never thought of Jeremy to be this cruel, and knowing that she had dreamt of Rahi’s grandma before this, Ivy knew just how much she must have doted on her. Ivy knew how much their grandma must have wanted her to stay by Jason’s side. Ivy always knew her heart wanted her to stay with Jason but not just the circumstances were hindering her but it seemed even destiny was.
Peter received news from Mr. Jin on Ivy’s activeness in the construction during the morning and couldn’t help but kept thinking about it. It worried him as he knew Ivy would put herself in danger if she kept meddling further. Peter had already laid out his countermeasures on what was going on but never expected Ivy’s involvement to escalate the activeness of the illegal acts. He sighed as he was half grateful for her being filial but he was also worried at her inexperienced self.
As he watched her accompanying him in playing checkers during the night, he couldn’t help but question himself sometimes if his daughter was really by his side. “What are you staring at? It’s your turn, daddy. You better think properly before you make your next move.” Ivy teased as Peter chuckled looking at his daughter’s move which was close to winning.
“You have just finished your finals. Why not take a break? You have been working too hard in Manes. If you go on doing so, I will ban you from working in Manes…” Peter’s words made Ivy question if he knew what she was up to and she had to be careful to not reveal Uncle James’ and her brothers’ secrets.
She quickly recovered her composure and chuckled. “Daddy… It’s my responsibility as your daughter to help out in your business. I am just doing my job. Don’t worry…” Ivy laughed as Peter forced a smile knowing Ivy must have hidden some things but he didn’t want to pry. Instead, he wanted to ensure Ivy would stay away from the Rahi’s soonest possible. After all, the only reason he agreed to the merger was because of being able to reunite with Ivy. It was a favor he owed to the Rahi, especially Jason, and because of that, he was willing to give up his business if he had to.
“Ai Lee… I think it’s time for you to cut things clear with Mr. Rahi once and for all and only keep a professional relationship.” Ivy noticed how blunt Peter’s words were this time which was reflected in his checker’s move turning most of her black beads into white.
He had always sugar-coated his words on this matter with her but this time, he didn’t bother to hide around the bush with his intention. Ivy questioned herself just how much Peter knew as she forced herself to hide her true emotions away.
“I know what to do, daddy. Don’t worry.” Ivy forced an innocent smile to reassure her dad as she overturned her dad’s move and won.
“I won.” She tilted her head to the side a little with a sweet smile which Peter gladly accepted his defeat.
“Good girl… Let’s call it a night alright? Your dad is old and needs his rest…” Peter stood as Ivy approached him and took a tight hug.
To Ivy, having to find her father again was just merely a dream back then.
To live with such a big and warm family was never something she dared to dream about.
Now that everything was in her hands, she barely had enjoyed them yet she couldn’t bear to lose them. She vowed with what she can do, she will improve and move forward to protect all of them and her dad’s legacy even if it meant losing the one who found all this happiness for her.
Just the thought of Jason could waver Ivy so much but with the responsibility she was to carry on since she was born in the Ophal, Ivy had no choice but to accept her fate.