As Adrian's SUV came to a halt in front of Ivy's apartment complex, the city seemed to be cooler than normal. The tension between them lingered in the air, even though the rain had subsided to a gentle drizzle. Since their meeting with Victor, neither had spoken anything. Unanswered concerns swirled in Ivy's head, and Adrian seemed preoccupied, his face gloomy and inscrutable.
"You intend to remain here?" As Ivy grabbed for the door handle, Adrian interrupted the stillness with a question.
"Yes," she said abruptly. "I need to think, and it's late."
Adrian scowled. It's not secure. Victor is aware of your residence.
Ivy let out a sigh, and it was clear that she was tired. Adrian, I can't keep going. I need time to take it all in. to distinguish between what is and is not real.
He paused and gripped the driving wheel more tightly. "I dislike it."
Her look was determined as she turned to face him. "You're not required to. You have no obligation for me.
Although Adrian's eyes glowed with anger, he remained silent. Rather, he sat back in his chair and let out a harsh sigh. "All right. But tell me you'll give me a call if anything comes up.
She responded, "I will," but her tone was unconvinced.
Adrian's words stopped her as she got out of the vehicle. "Ivy."
She looked up into his eyes. His look had a raw quality that caused her chest to constrict. He cautioned, "Be careful," in a softer tone.
Unable to think of anything to say, she nodded and closed the door.
---
Exhaustion weighed heavily on Ivy as she entered her apartment. The familiar room had become a prison rather than a place of comfort. Before placing her luggage on the kitchen counter, she checked the door again and closed it behind her.
The gleaming screen of her laptop beckoned her as it rested on the table. She still had the paperwork Victor had given her, all of which contained incriminating information against Adrian. Her fingers hovered on the keyboard as she sat down.
Ivy was uncertain about what to do for the first time in her career.
Finding the truth, wherever it led, had always been her guiding philosophy. However, this was no longer only about facts and proof. It was about her position in the midst of a conflict between two guys that threatened to swallow everything.
Her thoughts were interrupted as her phone chimed. The name on the screen made her heart race as she scooped it up.
An unknown number.
As she responded, her tummy rumbled. "Hello?"
After a moment of silence, a well-known voice said. "Ms. Harper." I hope that I'm not bothering you.
Victor.
Ivy gripped the phone more tightly. "What are you looking for?"
Victor chuckled softly but icily. I wanted to check in. Have you not had a really exciting evening?
Her blood froze. "How are you aware of that?"
Victor answered with ease, "My dear, I know everything." Among other things, Adrian is making a concerted effort to control you. How much of his tale do you really believe, Ivy? Tell me.
Although the wobble in her voice betrayed her, she answered, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come now," Victor said in a tone that was almost patronizing. "You're more intelligent than that. Even though Adrian portrays the injured genius, I can promise you that he is just as vicious as I am. The one difference is that I don't conceal it.
"What's the reason for your call?" Ivy demanded, becoming irate.
"Because you deserve the truth," Victor bluntly said. "I will give it to you, but Adrian won't. Come see me tomorrow. Allow me to show you the whole scene.
Her instincts urged her to say no, but she hesitated. However, the persistent uncertainty in the back of her mind persisted. But what if Victor was being honest?
"Where?" she said in a quiet voice.
Victor laughed. "Ms. Harper, you're making the proper decision. I'll SMS the address to you. Rest comfortably till then.
The line died.
Ivy's pulse was racing as she gazed at her phone. She was aware of the danger of seeing Victor, but she couldn't resist the allure of the answers.
---
Ivy was standing outside a fancy café on the outskirts of the city the next morning. Far from the rough world of investigative journalism she was used to, the location Victor had supplied her was in a posh area of town.
When she got there, Victor was sitting at a corner table, waiting, an unfinished cup of coffee in front of him. He smiled and motioned for her to take a seat.
"Thank you for coming," he said.
Ivy moved onto the chair opposite from him and said, "I'm not here to play games."
"Obviously not," Victor responded with ease. "You're looking for the truth. Additionally, I plan to deliver it to you.
He retrieved another document from his briefcase and slid it over the table. "This is all the information you require regarding Adrian Cross."
Ivy opened it after hesitating. Photographs, financial documents, and emails were found inside; they provided proof of covert meetings, offshore accounts, and transactions that showed a guy who would stop at nothing to maintain his position of power.
As Victor observed her intently, he said, "Adrian loves to position himself as a self-made hero. However, the truth is far darker. He annihilated everyone who stood in his path rather than just scything his way to the top.
As Ivy turned the pages, her stomach churned. Adrian was not the guy she believed him to be, if Victor's claims were accurate.
"Why are you displaying this to me?" With a cautious tone, she inquired.
Victor said, "Because you have the ability to expose him." "To prevent him from causing further harm."
"You don't stand to gain anything from that, do you?" Ivy fired back.
Victor grinned more broadly. "I won't act altruistic, Ms. Harper. I have every reason to want Adrian to move aside because of our past interactions. However, that doesn't alter the truth.
With her thoughts racing, Ivy closed the folder. "I need time to think about this."
Victor got up from his chair and remarked, "Take as much time as you need." Don't wait too long, however. Adrian isn't as patient as I am, and time is running out.
Ivy sat silently as Victor left, the folder in her hands weighing more than she could handle.
---
Later that evening, Ivy was in her apartment going through the papers when she was startled by a loud tap. The sound came again, more insistently, and she froze, her pulse pounding.
Adrian's voice rang out from the other side of the door, "Ivy, it's me."
After a moment of hesitation, she unlocked it. Adrian entered with a somber air.
His voice was tense as he replied, "You met with Victor."
"How did you find out?" Ivy insisted.
Adrian's eyes were keen as he said, "Because he wants you to turn against me." "And it's working based on the expression on your face."
"Is it my fault?" Ivy fired back. "I learned things from him that you haven't told me."
Adrian's mouth clenched. Whatever it is that he showed you is merely half the story. Ivy, he's playing tricks on you. Keep him out.
She moved closer and added, "Then tell me the whole truth, Adrian." "No more games or falsehoods. What are you concealing?
Adrian briefly gave the impression that he may respond. However, they both froze as they heard a sharp noise outside the window.
Adrian's face became lethal as a shadow passed over the glass.
"We're not by ourselves," he muttered.
---