Chapter 4 Ivy was humming a tune as she got ready for work when a knock sounded at her door . " Yes , Aunt ? " " I need you in the living room now , " her aunt replied , her tone urgent . Ivy brushed her hair and wore her flats . She was in a very good mood after spending the night with Silas . Last night reminded her that she was still a pretty woman who a handsome man found alluring enough to spend the night with She arranged her bag , humming as she prepared for work without hurry .

When she entered the living room , her good mood vanished as she saw her father and Cole . " Dad ? " she said , startled . " I told you I don't want you around me ! Why were you asking your brother for money ! " her father yelled . Ivy's cheeks flushed as she glanced between her father and Cole . " I'm..sorry . I just needed something to start up my- " " I don't care ! " her father interrupted .

" I asked a million times if you loved that idiot , and you said you did , You gave him everything , and he ruined you ." His bitterness was palpable . That's enough , Patrick , " her aunt chided . " She's gone through enough . We're supposed to correct her with love . " " You can do that , " her father sneered . " I don't have any more love to give her ." Ivy bit her lip to hold back her tears . She had brought it upon herself ; she'd trusted Mason , and he'd let her down .

She couldn't blame her father for his anger . " Be kind with your words , " her aunt cautioned . " I didn't come here to be lectured , May , " her father said , giving Ivy a look of pure disdain . " I came here to warn you : if you ever disturb your brother for my money again , I'll have you arrested , Ivy looked away , silent . " You can keep her now , " her father said to her aunt . " She's no longer my daughter . I disown you , disgraceful child .

" " Dad … " Ivy's voice trailed as he left . " I'm so sorry . so sorry , Ivy . He found our , Cole murmured before following their father . Ivy sank into the couch , barely holding tears in place . Her aunt sat beside her and hugged her . " I'm so sorry , my dear ," she said softly . " Til talk to your father - he'll- " " No , " Ivy shook her head . " I deserve this , " " No , you don't , " May tightened her embrace . " You trusted the wrong man.

It's not your fault , my sweet girl " Images of Mason and pregnant Cheryl flashed through her mind . She didn't want to dwell on their betrayal , or her father's rejection . She just wanted to bury herself in work and hold onto the memory of her night with a beautiful stranger . " I need to go to work , Aunt May ," Ivy said , standing up . " Should I pack you some breakfast ? I made toast ," May offered . " I don't have an appetite , " Ivy replied emotionlessly .

Before her aunt had anything to say , she dashed out of the house . " See you later , Once Ivy arrived at work , she went straight to the locker room . She looked at herself in the mirror , determined . She was done feeling sorry for herself . She was going to prove them all wrong - her father , Cheryl Mason - all of them . As she walked out , one of the girls at work stopped her " Hey , Ivy . Thu called for you . She's in her office . " " Thanks " Ivy replied , plastering on a smile .

Ivy made her way to the manager's office , wondering how much Tinu was going to deduct for her absence yesterday . 10:14 AM Chapter 4 " Hey , Tina , " she greeted as she opened the door . " You called for me ! " " Yes , Tina said flatly . " You're fired . Turn in your uniform and other items . " Ivy's eyes widened . " Fired ? Just for missing a shift ? " " No. Because I can , " Tina smirked . " And because I got a good offer to kick you " Who paid you to do this ? " Ivy asked , stunned .

out Tina's gaze sharpened . " Miss Cheryl . Now , drop your things and leave the premises , " Ivy left Tina's office , too stunned to be angry at Cheryl's action . As she packed her items , her phone chimed with a message from Cheryl : Happy job hunting with a smiley face ! Ivy braced herself . The day had gone worse than she had expected , she- -a daughter of a restaurateur - was now fired from a shabby restaurant . She wasn't going to cry .

Whatever situation she finds herself in , she would embrace it and move forward . Ivy handed in her things , walking out with no single plan in mind . She e was down the road , lost in thoughts , when a car pulled up beside her and a hefty man stepped out . " Mrs Hunter - Miss Scott . You have to come with me , he said Ivy gave the man a cautious look . " It's just Ivy, " she said bitterly . She was not a Hunter - and probably not a Scott anymore .

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" You'll have to try harder than that ," she said , already walking away . -Mr . Silas wants to see you . " Ivy froze mid - step and turned . " Silas ? " " Yes , ma'am , " the man nodded , pointing to the car . There was nothing left for her - she could either go home and cry herself to sleep or follow this stranger to meet another stranger - she chose the latter .

The man drove through town , and shortly after , they arrived at a towering building , Ivy bit her lip as she stepped out , feeling underdressed for this meeting . The man led her to an elevator . She stepped inside , and soon they reached a spacious office area . " He's in there , " the man gestured to a gold door with a plaque that read Silas Stone . Ivy swallowed as she pushed the door opened . It was him - the hazel - eyed stranger , though his eyes now looked furious .

" Hello , " Ivy smiled sheepishly at him as he stood up and approached her . " What did Mason ask you to get from me ? " He grabbed her hand , pulling her to him . Ivy saw the fury in his eyes . " What ? " He tightened his grip . " You think you can charm me and fool me ? " " You're hurting me ," she cried . He released his grip but didn't let her go . " Answer mel " Ivy flinched . " I don't know what you're talking about . " " Thi talking about Mason , your husband . What did he send you for ?

" " He didn't send me anything , and he's my ex - husband now ," she explained , trying to pull away . " Liar ! " he yelled , his voice echoing in the room . " He sent you to get i information from me , right ? " Ivy felt a surge of hurt and disgust . He thought she had slept with hims to get something ? " You're despicable ! " she yelled , angry enough 10:14 AM Chapter 4 to free herself . " Why would I need anything from you ? Who even are you ?

" " I'm Silas Stone ," he announced and then his name clicked . He was billionaire Silas , the other half of the Stone brothers . She knew who his brother was because Mason wouldn't shut up about how he wanted to surpass Thomas . It was partly why she invested in Mason- so he could stop yapping about how Thomas was buying all the places and making more money . " It makes sense now , " she muttered , stepping back . " You think I slept with you for information ?

" " I wouldn't know , " Silas said , his tone harsh but his eyes softening . " Your husband got got information n to frame my brother for fraud . " " Ex - husband ," she corrected . " And he's with my best friend now ." She was annoyed that there was still conversation surrounding Mason " And I didn't know that . I don't work for Mason . If you thought I did , well sorry to disappoint you ," she said , turning to leave . " Prove it . " he challenged . She halted , looking back at him .

" Prove what ? " He moved closer , his hazel eyes now holding the expression she saw last night . " Prove to me that you don't work for Mason . " She folded her hands . " How exactly would I do that ? " " Marry - me . " Ivy threw her head in laughter . "I can't marry you . That's absurd ." Silas marched to his table and took out a file . " If it's true that Mason is now with your best friend , then do it . A contract marriage for six months . " He handed her the file . " He framed my brother .

He cheated on you . Let's take our revenge on him . " Ivy took the file , her heart pounding with excitement . He was compelling again , and she found herself liking the idea . But then she hesitated . " No , no . 1 can't . She handed him the file back . He moved closer to her , his voice resonating . " What do you want ? Money ? Power ? I'll make you the most powerful woman in California Ivy considered his offer , then she remembered her struggles - her pain . " What's in it for you ?

" Silas chuckled . " Publicity I need to create a distraction for my brother , Think about your photography business - I'll make it the biggest in the country , " he said calmly . And that did it - that won Ivy over . " Give me the pen . " Silas smiled , pleased . He handed her a pen . Ivy walked to the table , opened the file , glanced through and signed . She handed him the file back : " Congratulations , Mrs.

Stone ," Silas whispered , his fingers brushing hers as he took the signed document . " The world awaits you . " G