Chapter 214

"Found?" Ivy asked, her voice cracking.

"Yes, ma’am," the officer replied. "We need you at the station right away."

"I’m on my way, thanks," she said, ending the call.

It felt almost unbelievable—so quick, yet exciting. She tossed the phone on the bed and joined Silas in the bathroom. He was washing himself when she entered.

"They found Cheryl!"

"Awesome!" Silas exclaimed. "That’s fast."

"I thought the same," she replied, stepping under the water.

"And Mason?" Silas asked, rubbing soap gently over her body.

She moved closer. "No idea. I’ll find out when I get there."

"Okay," Silas said softly, his soapy hand lingering on her breasts.

Ivy relaxed under his touch, giving into the tenderness of his hands. Her eyes fell on his bare arm, and she tilted her head. "You removed the bandages."

"Yeah. It’s not that bad, actually."

They fell silent, though their hands still moved in rhythm. Ivy’s heart tugged with concern, and she rubbed Silas’s chest.

"Let me take care of you," she whispered, her hand slipping to his erection. She lathered her hands with soap and washed him gently.

He gasped, one hand holding the transparent shower door for support.

She leaned in closer. "I love you." Her words echoed under the water.

Silas closed the distance between them. "I love you too."

Their lips met, and they both chuckled when the soap dropped.

"It’s crazy how nothing else matters when I’m with you. Sorry I left," Ivy murmured, rubbing his back.

"I love how I forget everything when I’m with you, baby."

She laughed. "Like now?"

"Like now."

"Let’s finish up here."

"Yes, ma’am," Silas teased.

They washed up properly and stepped out of the bathroom. While Ivy got ready, Silas made some calls.

Soon, she was dressed and left the house with Bud and Stud this time. They reached the station quickly and located one of the officers in charge of the case.

"Ms. Stone," the officer said as he approached. "Your friend is upstairs."

"Thank you so much," Ivy said, heading upstairs.

She spotted Cheryl the moment she reached. A black blanket was draped over her shoulders, and she was sipping from a green mug. When Cheryl saw Ivy, she broke down in tears, rushing to her. "Ivy!"

Ivy’s heart shattered at the raw, heart-wrenching tone. She pulled Cheryl into a tight hug. "You’re okay now," she whispered.

Cheryl didn’t say anything; she just cried in her arms. Moments later, she finally straightened up, her eyes red and swollen.

"You’re okay," Ivy repeated, brushing Cheryl’s hair.

"Where is Cole?" Cheryl asked, close to tears again.

"He’s fine. He’s with Monica."

Ivy hadn’t seen him since returning from Thomas’s office, but she didn’t tell Cheryl.

"Oh Ivy," Cheryl’s voice broke. "Thank you."

Ivy nodded, smiling sympathetically until another officer joined them.

"The Chief wants to see you, ma’am."

Ivy turned to Cheryl. "Will you be fine?"

Cheryl nodded.

She turned to Bud. "I’ll be back."

She followed the officer down a row of offices until they stopped at a brown, opaque door.

"Here, ma’am," the officer said, opening it.

Inside, a bald older man stood from behind his table.

"Hello, Ms. Stone. I’m Chief Ian," he said, extending a hand.

Ivy shook it. "Nice to meet you, sir."

"Please, have a seat."

She sat opposite him.

"Sorry for interrupting your day, but the matter at hand is serious."

"I understand," Ivy replied.

He leaned forward. "Mason Hunter was released on bail, but with this latest offense… things are only going to get worse for him."

"I really don’t care," she said firmly. "He should be dealt with accordingly."

He nodded. "That’s all I needed to speak to you about."

"Thank you so much, Chief," she said, then added, "How was he caught?"

"We tracked his location and found him in an abandoned warehouse," the Chief explained. "I would suggest therapy for your friend. The condition she was found in was… quite disturbing."

Ivy’s heart clenched as she nodded. "Alright."

"She’s free to go. You’ll just need to sign a few documents, then you can take her home. The medics confirmed she’s physically fine."

Her jaw tightened at the 'physically' part. She didn’t want to imagine what Cheryl had endured, but she was glad Mason would finally face consequences. She stood and stretched out her hand. "Thank you again, Chief."

He shook it. "You’re welcome, ma’am."

Ivy exited the office, anger simmering in her chest. As she made her way back to Cheryl, she saw Mason in a room, surrounded by officers. Their eyes met.

And for the first time ever, she saw remorse gleam in Mason’s eyes.

"You’re done," she mouthed.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping. For a brief second, pity stirred in her, but she pushed it away. He finally got what he deserved. She walked away, relief washing over her. Mason’s torture was over, and it felt great.

At reception, she filled out the necessary forms and took Cheryl home. When they arrived, Cheryl broke down again as she held her baby.

"Thank you, Ivy. I can never repay you."

Ivy fought back the tears that threatened to fall. "You’re welcome."

Theresa and Aria weren’t home, so Ivy retreated to her room and stayed there until Silas arrived.

"How is he?" she asked as he settled into bed.

"He’s good. Better, actually," Silas said, his tone tinged with sadness.

She wrapped her arms around him, understanding that other part of his feelings. "You guys will settle."

"I don’t think so," Silas replied quietly. "I’m done with Thomas."

She didn’t respond; she just tightened her grip. Her phone chimed with a message from Cole. She read it and found out he was ready for the photoshoot too. She texted Jade to update her.

She then told Silas everything, from Theresa’s plan to finding Cheryl. When she finished, she nestled against his chest, her heart aching at Cheryl’s pain.

"Did you talk to her about it?" he asked softly, drumming his fingers on her arm.

"Not yet."

"Sorry, babe." He kissed her.

"Yeah."

Ivy listened to his steady heartbeat until she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, she found a fresh bouquet of roses by her bedside and a card from Silas wishing her a great day and saying he had gone to see Uncle Mike. With mixed feelings, she got ready. She wore a black Gucci jumpsuit and paired it with flats.

She skipped breakfast and headed to the restaurant with her guards. As soon as she arrived, the lurking reporters made her instantly uncomfortable. She had wanted to savor her mother’s restaurant, to reminisce on the good moments, but their presence ruined it.

"There’s nowhere to park, ma’am," Bud said, pulling her from her thoughts.

She glanced around. "Just leave it here."

Inside, she saw Theresa moving around, talking to a few people. Ivy didn’t want to disturb her, so she pulled out her phone to call Jade. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Aunt May and her heart sank. She quickly looked away, moving toward the entrance.

Jade didn’t answer, so she decided to text. As she did, she bumped into someone.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t—Elaine Chase?" she frowned.

"Oh, Ivy Stone," Elaine smiled, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I didn’t know you’d be here."

Ivy’s eyes drifted to the large billboard that announced the event, and Elaine chuckled sheepishly.

Ivy’s frown deepened. "Whatever you’re here for, I’m not interested."

"Come on," Elaine rolled her eyes. "Just think about it."

Ivy ignored her, heading for the exit, but Elaine followed. She focused on her phone, composing the text. When she finished, she tucked it into her pocket, tuning out Elaine’s rant.

Thankfully, Theresa found her. "Hey, Ivy," she greeted, ignoring Elaine. "You’re here already."

"Yep," Ivy replied.

"Sorry I didn’t wait for you this morning. I was just too eager."

"It’s okay," Ivy smiled. "It already looks amazing."

"Hello, Theresa Stone," Elaine greeted.

Theresa ignored her again. "I heard about Cole’s injured guards. Now I feel bad for organizing—" She paused, looking past Ivy. Her eyes narrowed. "What’s that?"

Ivy turned, alarmed. "What?"

"I saw someone near your car," Theresa said, already rushing to it. She moved to the other side of the car. "Hey! Stop!"

Ivy followed, her heart pounding, but before she could catch up, she saw Theresa shoved to the ground by someone she didn’t see. And then the car exploded.

The sound was deafening, smoke engulfed the air.

Through the smoke, she saw Theresa lying unmoved on the pavement, and her stomach sank.

"Theresa!" she coughed. "Help!"

Behind her, she heard Elaine shriek, "I caught her!"

Ivy turned. In the distance, she saw Elaine struggling with someone. She couldn’t make out the figure, but she saw the blonde hair.

It was Rosie.