Chapter 182
Chapter 182
Panic had been flooding Ivy’s heart for days now, but no matter how many times it happened, her body never got used to it.
Her heart skipped as she redialed Aria’s number, sweat lining up her forehead. She stood up from the chair and began to pace.
As the phone rang, she racked her brain.
What should she do?
When Aria didn’t answer again, she immediately
led Theresa.
“Hey Ivy. I didn’t know when you left home,” Theresa said.
Ivy was too anxious for pleasantries, so she spilled it all out. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Calm down,” Theresa said softly, and Ivy could bet it was the same tone she used with her patients. “When she gets there, call me. I’ll call Silas. Keep trying her number.”
“Alright,” Ivy said and ended the call.
She redialed Aria’s number, but it kept ringing with no response. Unable to stand the anxiety, she dashed out of her building, determined to find Aria
herself.
The new gate opened, and a white Porsche drove in. Ivy rushed forward, and was relieved to see Aria behind the wheel.
“That was crazy,” Aria chuckled as stepped out of the car. Though her eyes were glistening with tears, and her mouth quivered.
Ivy pulled her into a long hug. When she finally let go, she saw Aria wiping hen face. “Are you okay?”
Aria nodded silently.
“Were you followed?”
Aria shook her head.
“Come, let’s go inside,” Ivy said, leading her in.
When they reached the office, Ivy pulled out a chair and Aria sat down. She watched Aria’s hand tremble slightly as she set her bag on the table.
“I’m going to call Theresa. I already told her about it.”
Again, Aria nodded without a word.
Ivy took her phone and called Theresa, giving her the news.
“Oh, thank God!” Theresa exhaled. “I’m coming there fight away.”
“Alright,” Ivy said and hung up.
She turned back to Aria, who still looked unsettled. She called Jade on the intercom and asked for a bottle of water.
Shortly, Jade returned and handed the water to Aria before quietly leaving. Aria drank it quickly, like she had been thirsty for days. But when she was done, she looked visibly relaxed.
“Thank you, Ivy,” she said, leaning into the chair.
Ivy nodded and perched on the edge of her table. “You’re welcome. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
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Chapter 182
“I am,” Aria chuckled, genuinely this time. “One minute I was buying chocolate tarts… the next, I realized I was being followed
“How did you know?”
Aria leaned forward, placing the empty bottle on the table. “I went out with my boyfriend, dropped him off, stopped to get some tarts. Then I noticed someone in all black driving behind me. At first… I wasn’t certain but then… the speed…
She tapped her forehead. “I panicked. I just dialed the first number I could, and it was yours. After they realized I was heading here, they suddenly turned and drove off.”
Ivy’s gut clenched. Aria had gone out without guards, even with everything happening. It was infuriating and terrifying, but she said nothing.
And just because someone in black followed her didn’t necessarily mean it was Rosie. But still, she said nothing.
“I know you think I was careless,” Aria said, reading her silence. “And I take the blame. I didn’t want my boyfriend to know I have guards.
blame. things…
Ivy stood from the table, glad the message had landed. “You can’t be too careful, Aria. Things… are getting crazy.”
Aria brought out a box of chocolate tarts from her bag. “I know. I’m sorry,” she said, taking a bite.
Before Ivy could speak, the door opened and Theresa walked in.
“Oh, thank goodness!” Theresa exclaimed, hugging Aria. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” Aria replied and told her everything.
“That was careless of you, Aria!” Theresa said with a frown. “That could have gone sideways.”
“I know and I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Theresa sighed, pulling out the seat beside her sister. She turned to Ivy. “Thank you, babe.”
“You’re welcome,” Ivy smiled, squeezing Theresa’s hand.
Aria took another tart before murmuring, “I’m also sorry… about yesterday.”
“It’s fine,” Theresa replied. “We are all in a bad mood, and it’s understandable.”
Aria nodded and went silent.
The silence hung in the air until Theresa spoke again. “I think we should all-”
“I’m being blackmailed,” Aria blurted out.
“What?” Ivy and Theresa gasped.
Aria sighed, standing up. “I got a message, about… something private. That was why I snapped yesterday.”
Ivy stood up too, her heart thudding again. “How? What’s she blackmailing you for?”
“She?” Aria raised an eyebrow. “It’s not Rosie. It’s another stupid girl.”
Relief flooded Ivy’s chest briefly, before the panic returned. “Why would anyone do this? With everything we’re dealing with?”
It was a rhetorical question and nobody answered.
Theresa rose slowly, her eyes narrowed at Aria. “What did you do?”
Aria’s cheeks flushed as she took a step back. “It’s… complicated.”
Chapter 182
Theresa’s voice sharpened, “Complicated? Don’t give me that bullshit!”
Ivy blinked, unsettled by the tension. Was there something she didn’t know?
“What was it?” Theresa demanded.
Aria flinched. “It was a sex tape. Okay? There.”
“Again?” Theresa exploded.
“Again?” Ivy echoed, confused.
Theresa shook her head in disappointment. “I can’t believe you,” she said, sitting back down. Then she faced Ivy. “Two years ago, she made a sex tape. It almost ruined our reputation, but Dad handled it.”
“Handled it?” Ivy asked.
“He paid a shit lot of money to have it taken down before it went viral,” Theresa said bitterly, then turned to Aria. “I can’t believe you’d make the same mistake again.”
“It wasn’t supposed to leak!” Aria said, clearly distressed. “It was very very private. I’m shocked it could get out. I can’t lose my boyfriend, he’s the one person I really like.”
“The fuck!” Theresa roared. “We’re talking about our reputation! We’ve so much to lose right now and you’re talking about a boyfriend? The one you’ll most likely dump tomorrow like always?”
Ivy watched, shock running through her. This was news–an unpleasant one at that.
It wasn’t just Aria’s sex tape that made her uncomfortable, it was also the length Uncle Mike had gone to keep it from the public.
What else didn’t she know about this family?
The question sent a chill down her back, but before her thoughts could spiral further, a knock came at the door.
“Come in,” Ivy said.
Jade entered. “Ms Stone, that influencer is here again, and she-”
The door opened fully.
Beatrice Ave strode in, her hands raised. “Before you flare up again, Ms. Stone. I’m here as a blogger, not a client.”
Ivy narrowed her eyes. “I already told you-”
“You bitch!” Aria screamed, lunging at Beatrice.
Jade and Theresa grabbed her before Ivy could join them.
“What’s going on?” Ivy demanded.
“That’s the bitch blackmailing me!” Aria shouted, pointing furiously.
Beatrice smirked. “Oh, come on, Aria. It’s just business.”
“Business?” Aria raged. “That is my life and my reputation!”
Beatrice cocked her head. “Then you should do the needful to protect it. Five million dollars is nothing for your name.”
“Fuck you!” Aria yelled, grabbing a handful of tarts and hurling them at her.
Chapter 182
Beatrice caught some and threw them in her mouth. “So yummy,” she said with a mocking grin.
“Calm down,” Theresa urged Aria, who finally stepped away and walked to the window. She then turned to Beatrice. “Why are you doing this?
“Like I said it’s business,” Beatrice said cockily. “And now that you’re involved, I think I want ten million. Rosie is offering to pay twenty for it.
Everyone gasped.
“Think of what will happen when people find out she slept with three men this time,” Beatrice added. “Oh, the shame, the humil-”
Suddenly, Beatrice stopped talking. Her eyes went wide as she clutched her throat.
Panic shot inside Ivy. “What’s happening?”
A guttural sound left Beatrice’s mouth as she fell on the floor, gasping for air.
“Allergy! Check her bag for an EpiPen!” Theresa shouted, kneeling beside her.
The next moment was chaotic. Ivy rushed to Beatrice’s bag, dumping the contents on the floor until she found the pen.
“I’ve killed her,” Aria whimpered from the corner.
Theresa grabbed the EpiPen and yelled, “Call 911. Now!”
B
