Chapter 6

Wilson didn't say anything, but his silence was answer enough.

Suddenly, Ivory found the whole thing ridiculous. In this moment, everything seemed so mocking—her love that had once burned like fire, and the heartbreak and despair she'd tried so hard to keep hidden.

"Get lost!" She shoved Wilson aside and grabbed a pair of pliers. Then, she headed toward the lion. She couldn't let it die, huh?

She tranquilized it, then removed its sharp fangs and snipped its claws. From this day onward, she wouldn't need anyone to protect her. She could do a better job herself!

…

That night, Ivory unwrapped the bandages around her shoulders, wanting to treat her wounds, when Belinda appeared out of nowhere.

"Why are you doing this yourself, Ivy? Let me help you," she said. Then, she scattered chili powder onto the wounds.

The searing spice hit the raw wound, and intense pain coursed through Ivory. Beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead from the sensation.

She kicked the table before her, overturning it. Then, she slapped Belinda hard across the face. "You're asking for it, Belinda!"

She grabbed a whip to give Belinda the lashing of a lifetime. However, she'd just swung the whip when Wilson entered the room.

He instantly yanked Belinda into his arms, taking the lash for her on his arm. The whip was barbed, so his flesh split open the moment it came into contact with his arm.

"What did Ms. Belinda do to deserve such treatment, Ms. Ivory?" He looked at Ivory coldly, his gaze filled with hatred.

Belinda wept in his arms. "I just wanted to help Ivy treat her wound, Will."

"You're too kind, Ms. Belinda," Wilson said. "Some people don't deserve such kindness."

With that, he turned and left with Belinda, keeping his arm wrapped around her shoulders protectively. He didn't even spare Ivory a glance, so he didn't notice the chili powder on her bloody shoulder. The wounds were even starting to fester under the spice's aggravation.

…

The following day, Ivory was invited to attend a jewelry exhibition. She only realized Belinda was also there when she arrived.

"What are you doing here, Ivy? Do you have any money to buy the jewelry here?" Belinda covered her mouth and laughed daintily. "Maybe I should lend you some. Everyone knows you don't have much allowance."

Ivory sneered. "I should be the one saying that to you. Get on your knees and beg me for mercy when you can't foot the bill later. I'll pay it for you."

She turned and walked away without another word.

Belinda found that odd. She picked a few pieces and tried to pay for them, but she discovered that her cards had been frozen.

"Sorry, Linda." Ivory approached her gracefully. "Our darling father has transferred all of the Stone family's assets into my name. Every cent that you spend from now on has to go through me."

She held out her own card and smiled. "I'll take all the pieces from the Starlight series, including the ones she wants. Wrap them up and send them to my home. As for the ones that she liked… throw them down the toilet and flush them away!"

Belinda stomped angrily, but there was nothing she could do.

At that moment, Thomas Fray, the person in charge of the exhibition, appeared. He held a microphone and announced, "Excuse me, everyone. I have an announcement to make! Mr. Quill has purchased all the jewelry on display in this exhibition, no matter the cost!"

The crowd gasped, and the socialites squealed.

"I thought Mr. Quill was single! Why has he bought all this jewelry?"

"Who knows? Maybe he's giving it to the woman who's caught his eye!"

"Who could that be? I'm so jealous of her!"

Amid the discussion, Thomas stopped before Belinda with an entourage. They held trays of exquisite jewelry, including the Starlight series that Ivory had just been about to purchase.

"Ms. Stone, Mr. Quill has gifted all of this to you. Please take a look at them."