When Old Master Huxley heard his grandson’s voice, he stopped watching a video on his phone and looked at his grandson instead.
His grandson was perfect. He had a perfect physical appearance, had always been a genius with a high IQ that he was able to skip grades and finish his Master's Degree at the age of eighteen, and had the ability to make the company soar to a new high. The Huxley Group was now the number one group in Artea and was even well-known in other countries.Old Master Huxley wanted to say something, but seeing the cold demeanor of his grandson, he could only say, “Come sit and have dinner.”Gerard nodded like a robot and sat down opposite Old Master Huxley.Once Gerard sat down, the maids started putting the dishes on the table. It was difficult for Old Master Huxley to invite Gerard to dinner. Not that Gerard wouldn't accept his invitation, but because Old Master Huxley knew his grandson hated him, and he didn't want to make him hate him more by asking him to come to the Huxley Manor all the time.“How is the company?” Old Master Huxley asked as they were eating.“Good,” Gerard answered without looking at Old Master Huxley.“Is there any new projects or partners that are difficult to deal with?” Old Master Huxley tried to keep conversing with Gerard.“No,” Gerard answered after swallowing his food.Old Master Huxley sighed helplessly. This was how Gerard was now. He used to be sunny, warm, and gentle since he knew Ivy, but since three years ago, he didn't even bother to answer Old Master Huxley’s questions with more than one word.Old Master Huxley opened his mouth to ask another question but quickly closed it, knowing it was useless no matter what he asked.Dinner used to be lively, but now... Old Master Husley sighed again.After they finished dinner, they moved to the living room to enjoy tea. No matter how uncomfortable Gerard felt around his grandfather, he still accompanied him.Gerard sat lazily yet elegantly with his back against the sofa, and one of his long slender legs crossed over the other. His long fair fingers held the saucer and cups as he drank the tea leisurely.In the eyes of outsiders, this might look like a pleasant scene between a grandfather and his grandson, but for those who knew them, this was far from harmonious.Once done drinking his tea, Gerard placed his teacup on the table and said, “Grandpa, I’ll have to get going If there is nothing else.”He stood up without waiting for Old Master Huxley’s answer and walked toward the door.Halfway through, Old Master Huxley stopped him.“Gerard!” Old Master Huxley called his name, and Gerard stopped in his track without looking back.“Ivy’s father was the mastermind behind your brother’s murder.” Old Master Huxley couldn't stand his grandson’s cold attitude toward him, and he had to remind him of the fact.Gerard clenched his jaw and fists tightly until his knuckles turned white, and the atmosphere became chilly.He wanted to turn around and shout at his grandpa that it still wasn't related to Ivy, but if he saw his grandpa’s face, he might do more than yell at him. He might want to punch him.In the end, he only said, “I know,” with his cold voice and went out hurriedly in case he did something he’d regret.Old Master Huxley watched his grandson walk away with a sense of helplessness.“Nigel, did I handle the situation poorly back then?” Old Master Huxley asked the butler.Nigel, who had been working for over thirty years in the Huxley Manor, opened his mouth but closed it again.“You can tell me the truth. I’ve long regarded you as my best friend, and we’ve always talked frankly to each other. So, why the hesitation now?” Old Master Huxley asked and sipped his tea again.Nigel chuckled. He didn't feel uncomfortable hearing Old Master Huxley’s words. Even though it sounded like he was scolding Nigel, in truth, he just wanted Nigel’s opinion.This time, Nigel didn't hesitate to speak. “Master Charles, although it was Ivy’s father who arranged for the murder of Young Master Louis, you shouldn't implicate Ivy in the matter. After all, Ivy didn't know anything.”Charles Huxley, who was bringing the teacup to his mouth to take another sip of his tea, stopped his movement. He placed the teacup back on the table and sighed again.Three years ago, after Gerard found out that Ivy had died, Gerard was enraged, and for the first time in his life, he yelled at his grandfather and blamed him for Ivy’s death.Charles did feel a little bit guilty because the divorce indirectly caused Ivy’s death. But was it wrong for him to ask Gerard to divorce Ivy at that time? Was it wrong for him not to want his grandson to be involved with a child of a murderer, especially when the said murderer killed his eldest grandson?Maybe his decision was wrong. Gerard had changed so much; he was now cold, indifferent, and alienated. He had turned into a humanoid workaholic and was even dubbed the Ice King of Artea. Ivy’s death was a massive blow for him.But Charles thought if Ivy were still here, he would hate Ivy for his father's actions. He loved Ivy; he really did. Ivy was like sunshine, warm and sunny, giving out a feeling of comfortableness to the people around her, but he simply couldn't feel the same way after knowing what her father had done.Charles’ mind and feelings had been battling for three years - battling about feeling regretful and guilty for asking Gerard to divorce Ivy, which led to her death, and about feeling that what he did was right.North, who was leaning against the car waiting for his boss, saw the dark look on his boss’ face and quickly opened the door for him.He dared not start the car or ask where Gerard wanted to go next. He didn't even dare to breathe too loudly in case his boss got angrier.Gerard said nothing and closed his eyes the moment he entered the car. His posture was still stiff, and his aura was still suffocating.He hated going to his grandfather’s house precisely because of this. His grandpa never failed to remind him that Ivy’s dad was the man behind the murder of Louis. Every time he heard it, it reminded him of the time he divorced Ivy.He still remembered that dreadful day vividly.He woke up earlier than his wife, planning to surprise her with a bouquet of 999 of her favorite flowers - red roses specially imported from Modestria, a country specializing in growing beautiful roses.As he was waiting for the delivery at the door of his mansion, his grandfather’s butler, Nigel, suddenly came to him in a car and asked him to return to the Huxley Manor, where his grandfather resided.His grandfather never asked Nigel to pick him up except if something important or wrong was going on. Thinking there was something wrong with his grandfather’s health, Gerard went back with Nigel only to be greeted with the wrath of his grandfather.“Divorce Ivy!” Those were the harsh words of his grandfather that Gerard heard the second he stepped foot inside the mansion.“Grandpa, I don’t understand. What did Ivy do wrong?” Gerard was confused. His grandfather, Nigel, had always been pleased by Ivy. He even treated her like his own granddaughter. So what was with the change in his attitude?“Look at this!” His grandpa pointed to a stack of papers in front of him.Even though Charles Huxley was old, he was once the president of the Huxley Group, and when he was serious, his domineering attitude would resurface, and no one would dare to say no to his command.Gerard sat on the sofa and took the papers in his hand. His expression froze when he read the documents. He reread the documents over and over again, and his face became pale, and his hands trembled.He couldn't believe it. How could Ivy’s father be the person behind his brother’s murder?“Grandpa, where did you... Where do you get these?” Gerard didn't want to believe it.“My investigator sent it to me, and I’ll send it to the police after you read it.” Charles Huxley’s expression got uglier when he thought about what was contained in the documents.“Have you... Have you checked for its authenticity?” Gerard still couldn't believe it.Old Master Huxley snorted and glared at Gerard. “Do you think my investigator is an amateur? Just look at the email address! It’s that bastard’s name! And the IP address was of his study at his house!”Gerard knew his grandfather had never stopped investigating his brother’s murder, and the Huxley family investigator was top-notch. But...“But... But it’s been more than a year with no lead,” Gerard’s voice trembled because he was still in disbelief.After over a year with no lead, how did the investigator suddenly find all this evidence?More than a year of searching and investigating, even the police couldn't find anything. But why did suddenly all the evidence appear now?“You still want to believe that bastard?” Old Master Huxley was fuming, seeing how Gerard was still questioning the evidence right under his nose.“But.. What was his motive?” Gerard’s hand was clenched tightly; he crumpled the papers he was holding.Old Master Huxley quickly took the papers away from Gerard, afraid he would ruin them.“His motive? Did you not read their chats? It’s to make you the sole heir of the Huxley Group and Ivy as his daughter, and your wife will get the benefits!” Old Master Huxley answered with annoyance and especially emphasized the words ‘your wife’ to Gerard.Gerard was too shocked and in a state of disbelief that his mind was blank, and he couldn't remember much of what was written. Hearing his grandfather’s words, he became even more doubtful.Ivy’s family was a wealthy, middle-class family. If Gerard became the sole
Gerard searched around the hotel but couldn't find Ivy, which made him anxious. Did she go home?He called North and asked if he had driven Ivy back home, but North replied that he had left once he had dropped Ivy at the Starlight Hotel. Gerard became even more frantic. Where could Ivy go? Then he remembered the bridge he used to bring her to watch the sunrise and sunset. She loved it there; could she have gone to the bridge?Gerard quickly walked out of the hotel but was stopped by his bodyguard. Gerard had two trusted bodyguards other than North, and the one in front of him, Fred, was one of them.Fred was panting and sweating as if he had run quickly to find Gerard.“What happened?” Gerard asked quickly.“Boss... The Missus..” the bodyguard looked nervous, scared, and hesitant to continue.His reaction only made Gerard more anxious. “What happened? What happened to her? Tell me!”“The missus... The missus..” Fred gulped, afraid to say his following words.“TELL ME!” Gerard roared
North was worried sick looking at his boss’ condition at present - pale face, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, fast and short breathing, and his body shaking badly.Hearing his boss’ words, North moved fast.He reached into his pocket, took off a small medicine bottle, and handed his boss two pills.Gerard popped the pills into his mouth without even needing water, nearly dropping them in the process due to his shaking hand.North was anxious, looking at his boss. He knew what his boss was thinking when he had his episode. The only thing that could set off his boss’ panic attack was the thought of Ivy’s death. No one knew of Gerard’s condition except his psychologist, North, William, and no one else - not even his trusted bodyguards or Old Master Huxley.William and North always carried a bottle of Gerard’s anti-panic medication in case he had an attack and needed it. They were always prepared to give him his medication anytime and anywhere as long as they were with him.North w
Once they landed at Modestria, a car was already waiting for them. They went straight to the Moonlight Hotel, another hotel owned by the Huxley Group.When they arrived at the hotel, Gerard and Mia waited in the lounge while William went to get their keys.While they were waiting, suddenly, a man, a butler, approached Gerard.“Mr. Huxley, I am the butler of Senator Morgan. He heard of your arrival at Modestria and would like to invite you to his birthday banquet tonight,” the butler bowed a little as he handed an invitation card to Gerard with both hands.Gerard took the invitation languidly and had a mind to refuse, but then the butler added, “It is a special banquet. Senator Morgan will introduce his wife for the first time to the invitees. He hopes Mr. Huxley could attend as the representative of the Huxley Group.”Gerard raised an eyebrow. Senator Sebastian had taken a wife? He knew then this was important, so he had no choice but to agree to attend.Once the butler heard his word
Mia didn't know why, but she felt very anxious even though she had heard the girl was called ‘Amelie’ instead of ‘Ivy’.There couldn't be people with identical voices. There just couldn't, she thought.“You... You don't have to keep going. The dress looks nice, and I believe it’d suit me perfectly. Just help me take it off and wrap it for me,” Mia told the sales assistant who was helping her.There was only one thing on her mind now: to run out of the dressing room and see this Amelie person.“Hurry up!” Mia shouted to the sales assistant, who took too long to get the dress off. Her well-behaved, gentle, and kind demeanor was no longer visible as she shouted at the sales assistant and fidgeted in her spot.The sales assistant was stunned and scared after being shouted at, and she hurriedly loosened the lace at the back of the dress, not caring if the delicate materials could be ruined. This person would buy it anyhow, she thought.Once out of the dress, Mia quickly donned her own dre
Gerard shrugged, hearing Nathan’s question. He then answered lightly, “One can never get enough money or power.” If he were more powerful back then, he would be able to save Ivy. He wouldn't need to listen to his grandfather’s requests.Still with a gentle smile, Nathan took a sip of wine before throwing another provoking sentence. “As can be expected from the Ice King of Artea.”Gerard also took another sip of his wine before answering Nathan with a lazy smile. “Surely I can't be compared to the Cunning Fox of Esmea.”They both looked at each other with a smile on their exquisitely handsome faces. It looked and sounded like they were complimenting each other, but William knew they were asserting their dominance.Suddenly William saw an image of an Ice King above Gerard’s head, looking down coldly at the image of a small orange fox above Nathan’s head. But even if the fox was way smaller, it wasn’t afraid of the Ice King; it instead smiled cunningly.William shivered as he felt their
Gerard’s body was trembling as he held Ivy from behind, feeling the familiar softness of her body. He lowered his head and buried his face at the top of her head, inhaling her scent. She still has the same faint rose smell, Gerard thought.“Ivy, I’ve missed you so much,” Gerard mumbled.Gerard was so immersed in his feelings that he didn't notice that the woman in his arms had turned pale and that extreme fear was etched on her beautiful face.“Why didn't you come back to me? Why did you pretend to die? Why did you leave?” Gerard asked her a barrage of questions softly.The moment Gerard uttered his questions, the woman in his arms began struggling.Gerard was confused, yet he tightened his hold on her. “Ivy, it’s me, Gerard, your husband.”After hearing that he was her husband, he thought the woman would settle down, but she struggled even more violently until she broke free from his hold.The woman quickly but clumsily ran away from him.“Ivy!” Gerard called her and ran after her.Un
When Amelie arrived at the private lounge, and Ellie led her to sit on the sofa, her body started trembling, and her face turned pale. She was afraid...She had been afraid ever since she was forced to be held in the arms of the man in the garden. She was scared when they were seated at the same table during dinner.It was fortunate that she was able to maintain her calm, gentle, and elegant demeanor due to her hard effort not to embarrass or make her husband angry for her not having any poised.But she was afraid... Afraid of that man.“Amelie, Amelie!” Ellie’s voice broke her out of her reverie.“Jesus, Amelie, are you alright? You are shaking and look as pale as a sheet.” Ellie was worried, looking at her friend’s condition.“I’m fine,” Amelie croaked. She cleared her throat to make her sound return to normal. “I’m fine, Ellie. Just a little bit tired. You know I don't like being in a crowd.”Ellie knew her friend hated being surrounded by so many people due to her blindness. She wo