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 wanted to say something to comfort his boss, but knowing whatever he said might only trigger another attack, he kept quiet while watching his boss through the rearview mirror with his own heart pounding.He gradually heard his boss’ breathing even out, and the trembling of his body disappeared.Gerard swiped his hands over his face and pinched and rubbed his temples. He finally opened his eyes, which had turned bloodshot, and opened a bottle of water.“North, why did you leave her that day?” Gerard asked softly after he took a sip of the water.Gerard always asked North this question whenever he thought about that dreadful day.“I’m sorry, boss. I thought Mrs. Huxley would spend the night with you, given it was your wedding anniversary,” North replied with the same answer he gave every time the question popped up.Gerard’s eyebrow furrowed, and his breathing grew shallow again. He knew it was his fault. Ivy must’ve been thrilled thinking of their anniversary, especially with the pregnancy report, but the surprise he gave her broke her heart.The medication had kicked in so Gerard wouldn't have another panic attack.“Home,” he said weakly.North started the car immediately and drove his boss home.The following day, Mia took extra care of her appearance. She made herself look even gentler and put some cosmetics in her bags for the employees.She looked at the lunchbox she had prepared for Gerard and felt bitterness in her heart. Did he really give the lunches she had prepared to William? Or was it just a coincidence?Since she started delivering lunch to Gerard, a driver always returned the lunchbox to her every night. There was never anything left in the lunchbox since she knew exactly what Gerard loved and hated to eat.She thought Gerard loved her cooking so much since he always finished the food despite him telling her not to cook for her anymore. But was it just her delusion?Today she was going to find out about it. If indeed Gerard gave her well-prepared lunchbox to William, then there was no point in cooking for him anymore. She didn't want anyone else tasting the food she had prepared meticulously for Gerard.She took another look at her reflection. She knew she wasn't as beautiful as Ivy, not was she nearly as attractive as Ivy, but she could pretend to be pure, sweet, and meek. Wasn't that what men liked from a girl? It could arouse their desire to protect her, and she was sure Gerard was no exception to the rule.Today she wore a soft-pink summer dress. She loved wearing summer dresses, they made her look gentle and feminine, and the color made her look sweet.Satisfied with her appearance, she set off to Gerard’s office.Gerard was signing some documents in his office when William spoke.“Boss, don't forget we need to go to Modestria tomorrow morning,” William reminded him.Gerard’s hand stilled for a split second before he nodded and resumed work.William sighed in his heart. Everyone knew Modestria was a special country for Gerard. William would rather not mention the country's name if he could, but the Huxley Group had business deals with some companies there.Furthermore, the meeting Gerard needed to attend was very important.A knock sounded on the door. William checked his watch and let out a sigh again. He opened the door, and as expected, Mia appeared.“Good afternoon, Gerard, William,” she greeted them in her usual gentle voice.“Miss Gant,” William nodded in greeting while Gerard just gave her a quick glance and smiled slightly before looking at the documents in his hand again.Mia was used to Gerard’s indifferent greeting. She thought he was like that to everyone, but at least he still smiled at her and even treated her gentler than he treated everyone else. That was why she had high hopes Gerard would be with her soon.As usual, she placed the lunchbox in front of Gerard, but she didn't open it this time.Instead, she asked, “Gerard, what did you think of the sweet and sour pork yesterday? It was my first time cooking it with a different recipe. I don't know whether you like it or not.”Mia waited for Gerard’s answer with bathed breath. She didn't cook sweet and sour pork yesterday, and Gerard should know if he ate her lunchbox.She wasn't the only one holding her breath. William standing by the door, thought there was no sweet and sour pork on yesterday’s menu. Did Mia find out?“It was fine,” Gerard answered nonchalantly.William thought the boss was doomed! Mia found out!Mia’s heart was broken, and she became angry. She had learned to cook for Gerard and prepare each lunchbox carefully, yet he gave her hard work to a mere assistant.She pretended to sigh in relief. “That’s good. I was scared you won't like it.” No matter how angry she was, she knew she needed to keep up the appearance of a gentle lady.“Oh, Gerard,” Mia spoke as if she suddenly remembered something. “I won't be able to bring you lunch anymore starting tomorrow.”Gerard looked up and saw her for a few seconds before he nodded. “It's best for you to do that. You need to focus on taking care of the Gant Group, don't you?”Mia had expected his words, but they still hurt her when Gerard said them straight to her face.“Yes, I’m going to focus on the Gant Group,” she agreed with Gerard. She hadn't prepared a reason for not bringing lunch anymore, but since Gerard said it, she might as well use it as an excuse.Silence ensued in the room as Gerard kept doing his work. Mia knew it was time for her to go, but she was unwilling.“Umm, Gerard. Can we have lunch together tomorrow? It has been a while since we go out together.” Mia said. She wanted everyone to see her together with Gerard.“I can't tomorrow. I need to go to Modestria,” Gerard replied without even looking at her.Modestria? Mia’s eyes lit up. She has always wanted to go there. She was jealous every time Gerard gave Ivy roses from Modestria. They were simply beautiful. Maybe this time, she could get some from Gerard?“Can I go with you? I’ve always wanted to go there but have not had the time yet,” Mia asked with an innocent, hopeful expression.This time, Gerard stopped his work and looked deeply at her, which made Mia’s heart pound like crazy. Gerard was just too handsome, and when he looked at her deeply with those dark eyes, she couldn't help but want to throw herself into his arms.“Mia, I’m going there for work, not for fun. I won't be able to accompany you if you go with me,” he said in his deep husky voice.“It’s fine,” Mia waved her hand as though she didn't care if Gerard accompanied her or not. “I’m a big girl. I can sightsee alone.”Gerard didn't answer her for some time, making her nervous. She couldn't stand the silence and was about to say something to ensure Gerard brought her to Modestria, but Gerard spoke up first.“It’s fine if you want to do it then. William will pick you up tomorrow morning,” Gerard said and went back to his work again.Mia nearly jumped from happiness, but she needed to maintain her gentle image, so she just smiled and thanked Gerard softly.“See you tomorrow, Gerard,” she bid her goodbye.Gerard gave her a curt nod, and Mia left Gerard’s office. Once outside, Mia couldn't help the huge smile she had been repressing from appearing on her face. She went to the elevator and couldn't wait to let slip that she was going to Modestria with Gerard to the employees.William, who received Gerard’s lunch and placed it on his desk, suddenly remembered what Mia had asked Gerard.“Boss, I think Miss Gant knows that you never ate her lunchboxes,” William said carefully.Gerard paused in the middle of eating his lunch. “How?”“There was no sweet and sour pork yesterday,” William pointed out. “And I think that’s the real reason she’s not going to cook for you anymore.”Gerard resumed eating his lunch as if the matter was nothing to him. But it really was nothing. He didn't want Mia to keep cooking for him; it’d be a waste of her time and effort. If finding out stopped her from bringing him lunch, then so be it. He didn't think too much of it.The next morning, they boarded Gerard's private plane and flew to Modestria...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
Ivy naturally knew why Mia came to her. Firstly, it was because she looked like Ivy, and Mia might want to ensure her identity. Secondly, she wanted to let everyone know that she was Gerard’s fiance. It would be beneficial for her if she were really Ivy in Mia’s mind - to stop Ivy from pestering Gerard or thinking of getting back together with Gerard.Unfortunately, Ivy would never return to the man who tried to murder her. Even being in the near vicinity of him made her so afraid. She was scared he would try to kill her again, especially if he knew Amelie was actually Ivy.“Oh, I’m sorry for being so brazen, Mrs. Morgan. I didn't mean anything by this, but you look too much like my best friend,” Mia answered Ivy’s previous question.Ivy was surprised when she heard the word ‘best friend’ from Mia’s mouth. Would your best friend sleep with your husband and have an affair with him while he was married to you? She felt Mia was insulting the word ‘best friend’.“Your best friend?” Ivy pre
Not many people knew that North and William were powerful Hacker-duo. North knew how and where to search for information, while William was great at everything firewall - creating it, bypassing it, you name it. He had many tricks up his sleeves to ensure North could search for the information required without any problems.They first decided to find the basic information on Amelie. William typed in all sorts of words relating to Senator Morgan’s wife to see what she looked like since there would be some people who had the same name.It only took them a few seconds to find Amelie Morgan’s pictures, and they could believe their eyes.North stared unblinkingly at the pictures while William rubbed his eyes to ensure he wasn’t seeing things.“This… She… Amelie Morgan…” North’s shock made him incoherent, disabling him from even letting out one complete session.“How could Amelie Morgan be Ivy?!” William shrieked and stood up so fast, knocking his chair backward after his initial reaction.“
William, who was used to his boss’ commands and tones, naturally knew this was an important task.He moved to the side and quickly scheduled an appointment with the Senator.Making sure he had gotten an appointment for his boss, he went back to his boss’s side and reported what the other party had said.“Boss, the Senator had already had an appointment for lunch, but he can see you during dinnertime.”Gerard was silent as he heard William’s report, but William felt a chill down his spine.Knowing how much the Boss wanted to meet the Senator to talk about Mrs. Morgan, the delay of meeting until dinnertime didn't bode well for Gerard, and William was ready to be lashed out.Gerard’s hand moved to pick up a cup, and William was ready to be hit, only to let out a sigh of relief when his boss brought it to his lips and took a sip instead.“As long as I can meet him…” Gerard muttered under his breath, but both William and North could still hear it due to their excellent hearings.“Today is