LOGINIvy froze, her heart skipping a beat as she looked up at the tall man standing in front of her.Nathan wore a tailored black suit, the chill from outside still clinging to his coat. He had clearly come straight from the airport after flying halfway around the world, yet even the exhaustion of a long trip on a private jet did nothing to dull his commanding presence.The moment he entered the ballroom, the noisy birthday party fell silent.The guests who had been whispering and waiting for a scene now stared openly at the two of them.Ivy and Nathan's eyes met. She looked into his steady gaze and saw her own reflection.At that moment, she was the only person in the room he seemed to notice. Her mind went blank, and for a second, she forgot how to respond.Tabitha gave her a gentle push from the side. "Go on. Go to him."Ivy slowly stepped forward. "What are you doing here?"Nathan slipped an arm around her waist.Ivy tensed at the unexpected contact. Then he leaned closer and s
Edric stiffened.Ivy turned to Roger. "Grandpa, I want to know where Dad got that photo. Who gave it to him, and who convinced him to show it at your birthday party? Half the city's elite are here tonight. Whoever planned this knew exactly what would happen. Were they trying to humiliate the Quinn family and tear down everything you've built?"The color drained from Edric's face.Roger's expression turned cold. He walked toward Edric, his eyes suddenly sharp despite his age. "Who gave you the photo?""Dad, I…""Ivy and Nathan aren't the ones who need to explain themselves," Roger cut in. "We need to find out where that photo came from. Edric, did you think at all before putting it up on that screen?""Do we really need to ask who was behind it?" Tabitha said. "That photo was meant to ruin Ivy and Mr. Lowe's reputations, embarrass you, and drag the entire Quinn family through the mud. Only two people benefit from that. Edric, it was them, wasn't it?"Edric would never betray No
Every eye in the room was on Ivy. Of course, she was nervous. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out how to guide Nathan into saying something that would help her.Then Nathan let out a quiet laugh, his deep voice unexpectedly warm. "I know."He knew it was her without having to ask.Ivy's lashes fluttered, and a faint blush crept into her cheeks.No one in the room missed the intimacy in his tone, least of all Roger. He immediately smiled. "See? They are clearly doing just fine."The guests nodded in agreement."Don't get ahead of yourself, Dad," Edric said. "Keep listening.""What made you call me today?" Nathan asked.Ivy tightened her grip on the phone. "What, I'm not allowed to call you?"The smile in Nathan's voice grew. "Of course you are. You're my wife, after all."Smiles spread through the room.Anyone could hear the affection in his voice. They sounded like newlyweds still firmly in the honeymoon phase, so sweet it was almost embarrassing to listen to.Realizi
Roger turned to Ivy. "What is this?"Ivy was still reeling. She couldn't explain because she knew nothing about the woman in the photo.Edric stepped forward. "Dad, isn't it obvious? That woman is Mr. Lowe's mistress! Ivy's been fooling all of you. Mr. Lowe doesn't love her, and their marriage has been over for a long time. He couldn't even be bothered to come to your birthday party because he was too busy meeting another woman overseas!"Roger struck his cane against the floor. "Edric, that's enough!""Dad, you can shut me up, but you can't stop everyone here from seeing the truth!""Enough, Edric!" Tabitha snapped. "One photo doesn't prove a thing.""Stop making excuses for her. Mr. Lowe doesn't love Ivy."Edric turned to Ivy. "Go ahead, Ivy. Tell us I'm wrong. Your grandpa is here, and so is everyone else. Look them in the eye and tell them you and Mr. Lowe are happily married. Tell them he really loves you."Ivy's fingers curled into her palm as she frowned.Tabitha grippe
The moment Tabitha saw Edric coming over, her face hardened. "You're just in time. Dad's decided to put Ivy in charge of the Quinn family."Edric turned to Roger. "Dad, are you serious? You're really handing the family over to Ivy?"Roger nodded. "Ivy has always been capable. We've all seen what she can do. Now that she's married to Nathan and expecting his child, her position is stronger than ever. With Ivy leading us, I'm confident the Quinn family will only become more successful."Roger had absolute faith in her."I won't support this," Edric said. "I don't think Ivy should be the one to take over."If Ivy inherited everything, Noelle and Kate would always be treated like outsiders. They would never have a real place in the family.Ivy fixed Edric with a cool stare. "Grandpa is the one putting me in charge. What makes you think you get a say?"Edric looked back at her. "Ivy, how are things between you and Mr. Lowe?"Ivy hesitated. She had no idea why he was suddenly asking
Noelle took the phone from Kate. "Edric, don't listen to her. I know you want to protect Ivy, so we'll go along with whatever you decide. Kate and I will be fine."Edric's resolve immediately wavered. He had never been able to resist Noelle when she spoke to him like this. "Noelle...""Edric, all Kate and I need is to be with you. I don't care if I spend the rest of my life by your side without ever becoming your wife, or if Kate has to live her whole life being treated like an illegitimate daughter."Edric made up his mind then and there. "No. You and Kate have suffered enough because of me. I won't let either of you be pushed aside anymore. I'll put the picture up for everyone to see. Kate will finally be recognized as part of the Quinn family.""Edric, you've already done so much for us. But please, don't hurt Ivy. None of this is her fault."Once again, Noelle played the selfless saint to perfection."You're too kind for your own good," Edric said. "I swear, from now on, no o
Wendy froze at the doorway, completely unprepared for the sight before her.Jessica was sitting on the edge of the hospital bed. Stanley, dressed in his patient gown, lay there still unconscious. Jessica reached out, gently caressing Stanley's handsome face, her gaze lingering with a strange, intim
Stanley's voice was urgent. "You've already closed for the day? I had an appointment with my fiancée to get our marriage license today!"The clerk nodded. "We closed a while ago. Is your fiancée a fair-skinned, pretty young lady?"The staff remembered Wendy well.Stanley nodded. "That's her! She'
Stanley swallowed hard as he realized his little enchantress was back.He gripped Wendy's soft waist firmly. "Such a big appetite, huh? Are you sure you can handle it all?"Wendy looked at Stanley, the most handsome and powerful man in the entire Capital, so commanding and utterly confident. She
Horace knocked on the door. "Brittany, it's me. Open up, please. I need to talk to you."Brittany sat on the bed, pretending not to hear him."I know you're in there. Open the door now! I'm counting to three; if you don't open it, I'm kicking it down!"The maid outside hurriedly said, "You can't






