He sacrificed her for his love. As much as she understood the capital role she was playing, she understood the urgency of the situation for him, and the fact she wasn't seeing James as a threat, it was the truth. She was been sacrifice. For him, for her love, she went along with it. Thinking about it now, fury rose in her heart. Angry toward Liam, toward herself . He sent her to the man he prohibited her from coming close, all for Shirley. But she understood. As always. She was growing tired of understanding.
"If they knew, do you think you would still be moving around freely? It's a grace you are still standing in front of me even though been the enemy number one of the future kings of the country."
The Black and Anderson were one of the family with the most influence. If they wanted to, they could join their force and eradicate the Frost. It won't be simple but possible.
"I'm doing nothing wrong. Just walking around. Nothing to alert them." He was well aware of the fact. That was why, he wasn't going against their agreement.
"The only reason I'm even allowed in is all thanks to you. I was grace with you liking me a little." If she didn't stand up for him in front of them, they won't have been kind to him. Himself wasn't wishing for a war between the three of them.
"Grace? Me? Aren't I the curse that brought the sword over your head?"
Everyone thoughts she had been brought on the dark side of the world by her best friends. Falsely thinking her lifestyle was a gift from them. Since their families has always been participating in such a life, never hers, it was normal to think as such since she was never meant for such a life. The reality wasn't even close.
The truth was, James Frost was the one who did it, not them. On the contrary, they were furious after knowing her involvement. That was why they forever have him as enemy. If not of Ivy standing up for him, he would have been death.
"Totally! Why am I still friends with you?" James was fast to say as if he just realized it.
Ivy may have been the source of his problems but he couldn't deny he was the one who went looking for her. No blame game needed.
"Because you love me?" Ivy joked.
He laughed, " Tell me Ivy, how can I help you? Who should I kill?" he said instead. Ignoring her comment. Him loving her, it wasn't that far from the reality.
"You sound like my hitman," she giggled.
"Have no problem being that." he shrugged.
"No need." She leaned back on her chair. "What I want is information."
"Let me guess, Shirley?"
"How do you know?"
"I'm not a fool. The question in fact needs to be, how could I not know? I have been wondering when you would come to me. You took your sweet time."
The enmity between Ivy and Shirley was well known by anyone close to them. They observant one could easily spot the issue, others get fool by her silly lie. It being , she hated Shirley because of whom she was, how much she contrasted them. If they only knew, it was what made her loved her.
Ivy just smiled.
"Want to know if the rumors about her father is true right? What do you plan to do with the information?"
"Do you still need to ask?" for anyone who claims to know her, the answer should be clear. At least, the Ivy who didn't have her feelings intertwined together. Between hate, love and fear.
"A week ago, I won't have to but after your announcement, I have to. I thought it was a sign you finally gave up on Liam but if you did, why would you need this information? It's for Liam? Is he the one sending you to me?" ok, this guy was too smart for his own good. Ivy had to deviate his thoughts.
"Are you out of your mind? Liam Black, sending me to you? The man who asked me not to get close? Do you really see him asking me that?" her act was perfect. He saw no lie in her.
"Right, he will never do that." The Liam he knew wouldn't let his precious Ivy near him.
Yeah, it was what she thought as well but it seems her importance changed its position in his heart.
"That's foolish of me to think that. Explain to me then, why the sudden change of heart?"
A mischievous smile formed on her face, she leaned in and whispered, " I want to destroy Shirley,"
"Destroy? Why? Still eyeing Liam?"
She shook her head, and leaned back in her seat.
"Has nothing to do with him, not this time. That stupid girl dare to threat me? To talk back to me. I can't let this go." For once, she was telling the truth. Went she called him, she wanted to destroy Shirley but had no thought of Liam while doing so. It had nothing to do with him.
"At the risk of making Liam your enemy? You can't. I don't believe you." There were no way Ivy could pull out such a move against her lovely Liam.
"We will see. Just give me what I want."
"And what do I get in exchange?" a deal was only fair when both party gains from it.
"Your love for me isn't sufficient for you to do me such a little favor?" he shook his head.
"If you want, we can get married. I offer myself to you," she joked.
In the past, James showed interest in her, which she of course declined. With time he didn't speak of it, she concluded he gave up. His feelings faded away.
"I would pass my turn. I don't enter your criteria remember." He answered confirm what she thought. He completely gave up on her. Though his past actions already told her that much.
"What? Age? I can drop it if you want," she insisted out of playfulness. Never intended to marry him. He was the last person she could. If asked between him and Jane, the decision would the most difficult to make.
"And children? I have a family to maintain. I can't go without leaving a heir." As the sole child of his parents. If he didn't have kids, their bloodlines ends with him.
"Forget about it then." She dropped it. Pulled out a scowl.
He laughed, "Aren't you supposed to think the same? As the only child, not having kids would spell the end of the Stone family."
"I'm not the only child, I have cousins. They would continue the bloodlines and for your information, I won't be the one to take the head of the company. I have no pressure on me. I can do what ever I like."
"Not the heir?" Now that surprised him. As him, everyone already thought she was the next one after Karl. "If not you who?"
"Michael. He is the one going to take after my father." She spoke with a monotone voice, void of emotions. Her amused face of earlier no way to be found. She already accepted the fact but it didn't render it less bitter and hard to swallow.
"Are they out of their mind or something?" his confusion growing further. He was familiar to Michael. Though talented, for him, he couldn't compete with Ivy.
She shrugged, having nothing to say. It was just another battle she lost, and has already accepted it.
"Anyway, I need to go. I will contact you went done." He said standing up.
Ivy nodded, " what about dinner together?"
"I don't have a death wish plus I already have something planned tonight."
"I knew it." she slapped the table, "You have work to do here." she never doubted it.
James laughed, "Right. See you cutie," he said before leaving.
Left in the silence of her room, with her own company, her mind wondered on the past days. A day ago, her grandmother debarked home, accompanied by Rachel, her cousin.
They brought with them a list of men for her to choose a husband from. Seeing the long list, shorter than the first one after her announcement, she wanted to laugh. She thought after that, they would give up but they were hell bent into marrying her. The list was full of divorced men, or widower. All aged, and wealthy.
If only them, she saw the hopeful look of her mother. She knew, as much as she wanted to hide it. Sofia wanted Ivy to marry, and marry well.
At the sight of them, she knew what she had to do. Since they were determined to not leave her in peace unless she settles down, and with no better option, Alexander was the best choice for her.
Unlike what her grandmother presented, him, at least was appealing to her eyes, she respected him and could see herself live with him. The only thing stopping her from calling him was why? Why did he want to marry her.
Even now, a day after, thinking about it, she wasn't thinking otherwise. Mr. Smith was the best option for her and with him, she could easily hide her secret. No one would ever know.
Her decision set, she was fast to call him before she thought again and change her mind.
"Mr. Smith? It's Ivy Stone," she said immediately he answered. She was doing it. She was getting married.