Chapter 29

Katrina leaned in, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “So, have you come up with a plan?”

Ivy replied in her usual unhurried tone, “I’m taking it step by step. Once we push her into a corner, things will get a lot easier.”

She didn’t feel the slightest bit anxious—in fact, Ivy found herself enjoying the game. Watching Emma flail, panic, and put on her pitiful act each day was entertaining enough. Sometimes, Emma even looked over her shoulder, as if expecting disaster at any moment. It was almost fun.

“It’s like a cat playing with a mouse,” Ivy mused with a sly smile. “A cat doesn’t just pounce and eat the mouse right away. No, it toys with it, lets it panic and run in circles, and only after it’s bored does it finally finish things.”

Katrina grinned, nodding in approval. “Exactly! That’s what she deserves—let her squirm. When we’re done, we’ll hand her over to the cops!”

After wandering around the showroom for ages, Ivy finally settled on a set of furniture she liked. She gave the staff her address and phone number and arranged for delivery.

They grabbed lunch together, and then Ivy dragged her best friend along to a real estate agency. She was looking for a spacious, fully furnished apartment—one that had never actually been lived in, even though it was technically a resale.

Katrina leaned over and whispered discreetly, “Hey Ivy, a place this size is going to set you back at least four million. Are you sure…?”

“Relax, I’ve got it covered,” Ivy winked, reassuring her.

She had ten million sitting in her investment account. Dropping four million on a new place was hardly an issue.

Besides, in the past few days, several firms had messaged her through the investing forums, offering her jobs as a professional trader.

She hadn’t accepted any offers yet—her body still wasn’t fully recovered, and she wasn’t ready for the long hours and intense pressure. Maybe after a bit more rest, she’d sort through the options and pick the right fit.

She also planned to finish her undergraduate degree, then go for a master’s in finance. There was so much she wanted to do, but she’d take it one step at a time.

After hearing her requirements, the agent immediately responded, “Miss Windsor, I actually have a property that fits your needs perfectly. It’s a duplex—would you like to take a look?”

Ivy glanced at Katrina. “You need to get back to campus soon?”

“As long as I’m back before four, I’m fine,” Katrina was crisp and decisive. “Let’s go. I’ll come with you.”

The duplex was everything Ivy wanted: stylishly furnished, all the major appliances already installed, and every brand top-tier.

“The renovations and furnishings cost over a hundred thousand,” the agent informed them as they toured the place. “The owner never spent a night here—not even once. The price is fair, and if you’re interested, there’s always room to negotiate.”

Ivy took one look and felt a surge of certainty. She turned to Katrina, “What do you think?”

Katrina nodded. “It’s great. Move-in ready, tasteful decor—nothing outdated. You could settle in tomorrow.”

Ivy methodically inspected every corner, even double-checking that the top-floor insulation was done properly. The more she saw, the more convinced she became.

“Why’s the owner selling?” she asked, genuinely curious.

The agent shrugged. “Commute was too long, apparently. Just inconvenient.”

Katrina gaped. “That’s it? Just because of the drive?”

The agent spread his hands, chuckling wryly. “The world of the wealthy, right? Who can figure them out?”

Ivy took one last look around, then made up her mind. “All right. I’ll take it.”

Katrina tugged her aside, whispering urgently, “Babe, we’re talking four and a half million! Maybe think it over? This is a house, not a carton of eggs!”

“No need. I feel like this place was meant for me,” Ivy was decisive to the core.

She put down the deposit right then and asked the agent to set up a meeting with the seller.

She could pay the rest in full on the spot—maybe she’d even shave another fifty grand off the price. Even with money, she wasn’t about to throw it away.

With the new place sorted, Ivy picked out a laptop and headed home in high spirits.

That afternoon, the delivery guys from IKEA arrived with her new wardrobe and desk.

Rosetta caught sight of the mountain of boxes and gawked. “You bought all this?”