Chapter 35 " What ? " Ivy's voice broke . " Don't pretend you're enjoying this marriage , " Silas said , settling into the couch . " You've been sabotaging it from the start . " His voice softened - more than he intended . " I get that it's not what you wanted , but please … my brother's reputation is on the line . " Ivy sighed loudly . From the corner of his eye , he saw her lips pursed in frustration . He didn't mean to blurt out that the deal was off .

Hell , he didn't even want the marriage to be over . He was just angry . Her behavior was driving him nuts , and he didn't know how to react . He used to be so in control of his emotions , so composed . But those green eyes always made him lose control . " Well , if that's what you want , " she finally said . " You'll owe me ten million dollars . " 0 He wanted to chuckle at her absurd statement - until he realized she wasn't joking .

The fact that she wanted the marriage off instantly got him furious . " Is that what you really want ? You want it over ? " " I didn't say that . You did , " she shot back , pointing a finger at him . " I'm just honoring your decision . " Play stupid games , win stupid prizes . As much as he hated to admit , this wasn't what he wanted . " Well , I'm … I was just angry , " he said . She said nothing , but she didn't leave . He faced her , taking in her disheveled appearance .

Her hair was a mess , the frills on her gown were torn , and the " I " in her name on the customized necklace he'd given her was missing . " What happened to your necklace ? " he asked . She blinked , her defensive demeanor faded slightly . " What ? Nothing . " His gaze dropped to her neck and she instinctively ran her hand over it - searching . When she realized he was right , a faint blush coloured her cheeks . " I didn't know , " she murmured softly .

" You didn't know because you were busy fighting , " he said , his anger returning slightly in his chest . He had thought their marriage would be the perfect distraction . He thought the media wouldn't shut up about it . Well , they weren't shutting up about it - but in the worst way imaginable . Wade had always said , no publicity was bad publicity - well , Wade was wrong . Their marriage announcement was a disaster , and it was driving him insane .

" I don't appreciate your conclusions , " she said , marching toward him . " You never give me a chance to explain . " " A chance for what explanation ? " he snapped . " It's all over the news . Everyone knew you hit your ex - mother - in - law . " Her green eyes widened with shock . " What ? The news ? But … how ? It just happened ! " " Welcome to the other side of fame , " he said bitterly . " This is what you signed up for .

" He watched her shoulders slump as the impact of his words hit her . " What else are they saying ? " " I don't know , " he muttered , rubbing the bridge of his nose . " A bunch of garbage . I don't know . " " Well , I'm sorry , " she said firmly . " I'm sorry it's come to this , but I couldn't just stand by and do nothing . " She was trying to justify herself - he could see the stubborness in her eyes . " So your solution was to send her to the hospital ? " he challenged .

" A woman you know you have history with ? We haven't even finished dealing with your ex - husband's mess , now we have to deal with this , " 1/3 11:53 AM Chapter 35 " I didn't send her to the hospital ! " she shot back . " And if you'd just let me explain , you'd- " " I don't need your explanation ," he interrupted , waving her off . " I already know everything I need to . " Silas watched as Ivy's lips pressed into a frown .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

There was a dangerous glint in her eyes , and for a fleeting moment , it terrified him . " Alright then ," she said instead , heading toward the stairs . " I don't want this ridiculous marriage either , especially if it keeps painting me terribly to the public . When do I get my money ? " Her words , her tone , her defiance - all sent his heart racing . He sprang to his feet . " What money ? " he asked , his heart pounding unexpectedly . She stopped mid - step , confusion etched on her face .

" For breaching the terms of the contract , Remember ? " His chest tightened . " I didn't say I wanted to end the marriage ." Her eyes gleamed with challenge . " Oh , but you did ." He clenched his jaw . She wasn't going to let this go , and he knew it . " Fine . I wasn't supposed to say that . " Damn woman ! Pamu She smirked . " Alright then . The marriage continues . " She turned and resumed climbing the stairs . " Are we not going to talk about it ? " he called after her .

" About how to fix this mess ? " She paused , glancing back at him . " Now ? " " Yes ." He nodded . " Please , " he added . She sighed , descending the stairs . She slumped onto the couch . " I'm listening , " she said . He chuckled , aware of the games she was playing . He defended her - when Wade had called him telling himself about the news , his first instinct was to defend her . He didn't even know if she was right or wrong . She had a hold on him and she didn't even know that . " Well ?

" she prompted , raising her eyebrows . " Do you want to talk about why you hit your ex - mother - in - law ? " He asked . He knew she wasn't a violent person , he knew she had her reason . He had only been frustrated that his family - the whole world - viewed her so differently . " First off , I didn't hit Martha ," she replied , crossing her arms . " And secondly , even if I did , she deserved it . But I didn't ." Confusion coursed through him . " Then who did ?

" She ignored his question , her gaze drifting away . " Who did ? " he repeated . When she still didn't answer , he racked his brain . Then it hit him - Monica . " Was it Monica ? " Ivy glanced at him , her face betraying her guilt before she quickly looked away . " What ? " He let out a disbelieving laugh . " Monica hit your ex - mother - in - law ? " The absurdity of it made him laugh . He'd known Monica his entire life and never had she been violent .

" I don't want you scolding her or anything , " Ivy said firmly . Her defending Monica was oddly endearing . " She was only looking out for me . " He chuckled , nodding slowly . " Alright , ma'am . " Ivy chuckled too . " So , how do we solve this problem ? " 2/3 Chapter 35 Her question brought him back to reality . The media was mauling her , though it was a distraction - but not the kind of distraction he had anticipated . " I really don't know yet ," he admitted .

" But I'll work with my team and get back to you . " " Alright then , " she said , standing. " When you schedule a meeting with them , let me know . Anytime you need me , just call . " The way she said that made his heart twitch . She must have noticed the change in his expression because a faint blush spread across her cheeks . She tucked some hair behind her hair , awkwardly cleared her throat and walked to the stairs .

He wanted to stop her , to say something , but his phone rang , and he let her go . Glancing at the screen , he saw it was Thomas . " Hello , bro , " Silas answered . " I can explain the whole Ivy situation , " he said hastily before Thomas could talk . " It was a- " " I'm not calling about that , " Thomas interrupted , his voice strained with pain . Silas's stomach dropped . " What's wrong ? " " Sonia Raj is suing me , " Thomas said . Silas froze . Sonia was one of Thomas's top clients .

" What ? Why? " " Somebody - Mason Hunter , of course - leaked her financial records ! " Silas stiffened . 3/3