"Wow, look at these pictures. You two look amazing," Lola said as she flipped through the magazine featuring Fin’s photographs.
Sal glanced over and nodded in agreent.
"They really do," he said. "And what’s even more satisfying is that nobody is attacking Ivy anymore."
He turned his phone toward Lola, showing her the comnts section. Most of the responses were overwhelmingly positive.
Lola let out a relieved sigh.
"I honestly didn’t expect Kevin to make such a big public statent," she admitted. "But I guess Jas can finally breathe a sigh of relief. So can everyone who plans to collaborate with Kevin in the future."
She genuinely appreciated the step Kevin had taken.
"By the way," Lola added, turning toward Ivy, "we already have several photoshoots lined up."
The photos from Ivy’s campaign had only been released a few hours ago, yet brands were already reaching out with collaboration offers.
What surprised everyone most was that a newcor like Ivy had managed to secure a music video opportunity almost imdiately after her launch.
"People are finally noticing you," Sal said.
His words drew Ivy’s attention.
Only Sal and Lola knew the real reason she had chosen modeling as her career.
And judging by the opportunities pouring in, her plan seed to be working.
***
anwhile, elsewhere in the city, Logan was enjoying a quiet afternoon tea with his wife when his phone rang.
The caller ID displayed a familiar na.
Karl.
"Honey, excuse for a minute," Logan said apologetically before stepping away to answer.
"Yes, Karl. Any updates on the girl?" he asked.
"Yes, Boss," Karl replied. "I’ve sent all the details to your email, along with her recent photographs."
A relieved smile crossed Logan’s face.
"Good."
After ending the call, he imdiately opened his email.
The file contained detailed information about the girl, along with several photographs.
The mont he opened the images, his expression changed.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"So this is Ivy Ford."
His gaze lingered on the screen.
"So he kept his word after all."
He carefully read through the report Karl had compiled.
The more he learned, the more interested he beca.
"Now that you’re finally in the public eye," he murmured to himself, "keeping track of you won’t be difficult anymore."
After closing the file, he returned to the garden where his wife, Halley, was waiting.
The mont he sat down, Halley frowned.
"I thought you promised not to work today."
Logan chuckled and picked up his teacup.
"I know. But it was an important call."
The apologetic tone in his voice softened her expression imdiately.
Halley had undergone two surgeries to remove tumors, but her condition continued to worsen.
The most recent operation had failed to produce the results the doctors had hoped for.
Since then, Logan had gradually stepped away from work, dedicating most of his ti to caring for her.
The couple had never been blessed with children.
For decades, they had been each other’s entire world.
Now, watching the woman he loved grow weaker with each passing day, Logan felt helpless.
No amount of money, influence, or power could guarantee a miracle.
And yet, every day, he found himself praying for one.
Halley suddenly fell silent, and Logan couldn’t help but notice the change in her expression.
"What happened?" he asked softly.
Halley looked up at him, her eyes filled with remorse.
"I’m causing you trouble, aren’t I?"
Her words caught Logan off guard, but it didn’t take long for him to understand where they were coming from.
"No, you’re not," he said firmly. "And even if you were, who else would I rather be troubled by?"
A sharp ache stung his chest at the thought of her believing she was a burden.
No matter what happened, he would never stop trying to save her. As long as he was alive, he would do everything in his power to keep her alive too.
"I’m not letting anything happen to you, Halley."
His grip on her hand tightened slightly.
Halley couldn’t help but smile weakly.
"I’m not going anywhere, Logan. I haven’t troubled you that much yet."
The attempt at teasing earned a small chuckle from him.
"But that doesn’t an you should ignore the work you originally ca here for."
Logan frowned.
"Karl told you skipped the eting with Xander Erson."
The mont she ntioned it, he gave her a knowing look.
"Karl handled everything," Logan replied, trying to dismiss the subject.
But Halley gently squeezed his hand.
"Why are you avoiding this, Logan?" she asked quietly. "That boy sees you as his only hope."
Logan shook his head.
"It’s better if he stays away from the people his father got involved with."
His voice turned grim.
Just thinking about it sent a chill down his spine.
After what had happened to Frederick and Liliana, he never wanted anyone else to suffer the sa fate simply because they had gone looking for answers they were never ant to find.
"But what if they’re already after him?"
Halley’s question imdiately caught his attention.
Seeing the concern in her eyes, Logan quickly shook his head.
"As long as he doesn’t go looking for them, they won’t bother him," he assured her.
But deep down, there was soone else occupying his thoughts.
And I hope she stops too.
His eyes turned cold as the thought crossed his mind, but deep down she knew that wasn’t the case.
***
[Kevin’s Apartnt]
After leaving the café, Kevin returned to his apartnt and shut himself inside.
A few hours later, Jas arrived, only to find him sitting on the couch with a bottle of whiskey in his hand.
"Good grief, Kevin," Jas said as he stepped inside. "What are you doing drinking this early in the day?"
Ever since the magazine had been released and public opinion had finally started shifting in Kevin’s favor, Jas had thought the worst was behind them. For the first ti in months, people were talking positively about Kevin and Ivy.
He had hoped they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Instead, he found Kevin drinking alone like a man who had lost everything.
"Jas..." Kevin suddenly spoke, staring blankly at the glass in his hand. "She rejected before I even got the chance to confess."
Jas froze.
"You’re talking about Miss Ivy?" he asked cautiously.
Kevin remained silent.
That silence was answer enough.
Jas let out a slow breath.
Part of him felt exasperated, but looking at Kevin’s defeated expression, he couldn’t bring himself to make fun of him.
This was the first ti Kevin had ever truly fallen for soone. Looking back, Jas realized the feelings had probably been there for much longer than either of them had noticed.
Still, he had never expected Ivy to shut the door before Kevin could even take a step through it.
Miss Ivy really is impossible to read, Jas thought.
The mory of what he had witnessed in the parking lot earlier still sent a shiver down his spine.
"Look, it’s not like the world’s ended," Jas said, taking a seat across from him. "You’re Kevin Hartwart. You’re handso, successful, and half the won in the country would jump at the chance to date you."
Kevin gave a bitter laugh.
"But they’re not Ivy."
His grip tightened around the glass.
"They’ll never be Ivy."
Jas fell silent.
Kevin lowered his gaze.
He had thought he understood what Ivy wanted.
She had told him plainly that she had long since moved on from the feelings she once had for him. To her, he was nothing more than a colleague now.
Nothing more.
And she had made it clear that he shouldn’t pursue sothing that no longer existed.
She had been honest.
Kind, even.
Yet despite acting composed in front of her, all Kevin had felt was his heart breaking piece by piece.
Was I too late?
The question echoed relentlessly in his mind.
If he had realized his feelings sooner...
If he had paid more attention...
If he had been brave enough to act before she moved on...
Would things have been different?
The silence that settled over the room only made the regret feel heavier.
For the first ti in a very long while, Kevin wished he could turn back ti.
"Alright, enough of this," Jas said, snatching the bottle from Kevin’s hand. "Stop acting like a heartbroken lover and take a look at this."
Kevin frowned but glanced at the phone Jas shoved in front of him.
The screen was filled with comnts from fans. Most of them were positive, with people praising the magazine photoshoot and hoping to see him and Ivy work together again.
"You see?" Jas said. "The public loves the two of you."
Kevin rolled his eyes but continued reading.
"And that’s not all," Jas grinned. "I heard Ivy landed a music video project. They’re still looking for a male lead to star alongside her."
That finally caught Kevin’s attention.
"Really?"
Jas nodded.
"Really. So how about we get that role for you?"
For the first ti since Jas had arrived, Kevin looked genuinely interested.
He knew Jas was trying to cheer him up.
At the sa ti, Ivy’s words replayed in his mind.
She had made her position perfectly clear. She didn’t want him harboring any hopes about a romantic relationship between them.
But she had never said he couldn’t stay by her side.
If she wanted things to remain professional, then he could respect that.
For now.
After all, being close to Ivy had beco sothing he couldn’t give up so easily.
Even if she only saw him as a friend or colleague, he still wanted to be part of her life.
A faint smile finally appeared on his face.
"You really do know how to improve my mood, don’t you, Jas?"
Jas returned the smile.
"Of course I do."
Only because cleaning up your sses has practically beco my full-ti job, he thought to himself.
Naturally, he was smart enough not to say that out loud.
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