One issue after another, Ivy sat by the small office she had in the orphanage home drafting her press release for Melody. She was fumed with anger typing on the keyboard, forcing herself to retaliate against the fake news that the orphanage and welfare home was involved in gangsterism activities once again rationally. Ever since she started her efforts, she had been flooded with negative news but she pushed and endured for the sake of those she was trying to reach out to. However, at times, she had no choice but to use the media to keep the fake news under control.

  Melody wanted to go into her room after gently knocking but was hesitating, while Ryu, who had been annoyed with his inconsiderate sister for the past hour, helped his girlfriend out instead and pushed open the door nonchalantly.

  “Yo sis, are you almost done?! The press is pressing on the matter!” Ryu led Melody into the room as she shyly waited for Ivy, who tried her best not to be mad at her for chasing her while she typed the last paragraph and sent it to Melody.

  “Done! Stop chasing me!” Ivy snapped as Ryu chuckled at his successful plan. He nodded at Melody who quickly sprung into action to check before releasing on the couch.

  “Sis… I think you should head home tonight… As in Landsfield… It’s been a little too long and Hazel, she…” Ryu was trying to distract Ivy but ended up hesitating with many details that Ivy knew did not look good for Jonathan.

  “Alright. But I will need to bring Jonathan to Manes with me tonight. Help me out with the house arrest and…” Ivy was stopped by Ryu.

  “No can’t do… You know his rules are final…” Ryu reminded her that Peter had the final say as Ivy packed her stuff.

  “Then, sorry no. Can’t do it. He doesn’t compromise despite knowing it’s for his stepgrandson’s own good, neither can I? Do you have any idea what this reporter had caused? He is on the verge of being torched alive by me soon…” Ivy said before heading for the door.

  “Sis… Is there no way for you to…” Ivy raised her hand to his question.

  “Unless you help me sort out these occasional fake news tarnishing the reputation of all my efforts and I am sure Melody will get busier when the reporters begin to interview one by one all those who had already gotten help, don’t think I can sit still at home even on house arrest. I have exams coming up…” She concluded with Ryu to close the topic.

  “Bye, Melody. Let me know if you have issues! Be careful!” Ivy said before stepping out of her office while Melody was engrossed in proofreading leaving Ryu sighing in defeat before texting Ray to update him.

  When Melody finally posted the news, she went to coax Ryu. “Ivy knows what she is doing. She really had no choice this time. This reporter doesn’t seem to be working for commercialise interest.” She pointed out as Ryu raised an eyebrow.

  “You mean… There’s someone behind paying him?” Ryu concluded as Melody nodded. Ryu instantly put Jin and Ray on the loudspeaker and briefed them on the matter as the trio concluded that it was best to meet up with this reporter separately without Ivy knowing to sort out the matter.

  Ivy then found herself returning to the house Jason had left her since he left and enjoyed the solitary to study with the pretty sight of the sunset cliff on the projector. That night she found herself writing another letter to Jeremy.

  17 weeks later

  I had no idea how long it was you were taken away from me now but I know it was quite a while since the last letter I wrote to you. There are days I wake up looking for you cause I thought I smelled you only to find myself in your room.

  There are days when I live in Manes at Jason’s place. I imagine being in your hugs while overlooking the sunset cliff you made for me on the projector. I have been away from Jonathan lately due to exams and also the fake news. I’m sure you hear about it a lot on the news. It’s bound to happen as anticipated. What else could be worse when society couldn’t help stereotyping ex-convicts and ex-gangsters? But these are the reasons I keep moving on to fight them and build a secure place for them and their family.

  How do I look lately? Hopefully not too ugly for your liking anymore…

  Just when I decided I should take another course due to too much time on hand in Manes secretly, here I am having to deal with this culprit. But I am not afraid cause I genuinely trade on the right path this time.

  Maybe it’s time you should know about this… Little Jonathan had always gotten nightmares back then. It’s been a link between the both of us to comfort each other asleep. I tried not to stay away too long from him as he doesn’t get used to Ray or Mum very much unless it was necessary. He seemed to feel secure in my fragrance like I do with yours.

  Little Joseph thankfully though is learning to walk as he had been crawling a lot lately and is still accustomed to Hazel. Hazel and Jonathan had been visiting Phyllis. Though their progress had been slow, it’s definitely improving their situation by a lot.

  However, lately maybe because it has been raining a lot, I have been receiving late-night calls from Ray to calm Jonathan from his nightmares. I was very tempted to bring him to Manes to live with me but then he had started pre-school and I believe I will end up in house arrest if not negotiated properly with my Dad.

  How have you been? Is there no chance for us to meet? Jere, I miss you.

  Right before the annual dinner of Ophal and Rahi’s company, the same reporter came up with a tabloid on the potential involvement of Ophal and Rahi’s organization with the gangsterism activities considering they had been hiring ex-convicts and their family members in their newly incorporated companies. Though these establishments Ivy had to ensure these were not related to the merged holding company under Ophal and Rahi as she knew the level of sensitivity it was going to impose but they still managed to hit headlines.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “What exactly does this Anson Jali want!” Ryu fumed while reading the news on his tablet on the morning table.

  “Chill it… You don’t have to lose your temper over such petty stuff. Yet you’re the social and marketing manager…” Ivy warned as she took a sip of her porridge.

  “Hmm… Your sister is right. Get the PR to handle it as always.” Peter surprisingly agreed with Ivy though they were on not-so-good terms due to her rebelling against his orders on her acts of over-helping with the ex-convicts and their family’s welfare.

  Ray cleared his throat at the deafening silence as Ivy who was stunned a little tried to regain her compose.

  “I will. I know what to do.” Ryu solemnly replied as he quietly finished his breakfast.

  “I will see you all tonight at the annual dinner. Don’t be late.” Peter said before excusing himself as Ray nodded on behalf of everyone.

  “Did he just agree with you?” Ryu tried to reconfirm as Ivy rolled her eyes. “Hurry up and finish your breakfast. There’s still work to do.” Jin reminded as Ryu smacked away Jin’s hand playfully.

  “I think you should make it to tonight…” Ray said solemnly to Ivy whom he knew was backing out on purpose due to the ongoing feud with Peter but because of Peter’s willingness to compromise earlier, there was no reason for Ivy to reject. After all, she was supposed to be the main VIP that night.

  “Right, Cassie had prepared you a dress just in case…” Jin added before slurping away his bowl of porridge.

  Just in case… Ivy smiled recalling she used to tease Jason about it on one of their weekends gigs.

  “I … I can look after the boys…” Hazel said softly as Ivy smiled wider.

  “No, come along with the boys. You’re Ray’s rightful wife after all though it’s not legal yet as he is too young which also made him fail the legal adoption. But still, in principle, you’re our family member. So you must be there tonight with them both. I will see you all tonight then.” She concluded as everyone instantly sighed in relief.

  “About the reporter, I’m putting on a show tonight. Wait for it…” Ivy said before leaving the table as Ryu grimaced at the trap she set while Jin held his head which was going to explode trying to solve the negative aftermath in case any.

  Ray stood wanting to chase her. “Ivy…”

  “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t stir trouble for any of you.” She said before disappearing into the lift and heading out.

  Ivy went to look for Cassie to pick up her dress for that evening thereafter. For once she would be able to see everyone once again. It was a little nostalgic for her as it felt like it was only yesterday she was in a gathering with all of them in her engagement dress.

  She walked herself to the main entrance of the ballroom and was instantly surrounded by reporters. They were questioning her the exact same questions that had been on the tabloids. A part of her was grateful for the free marketing.

  “Thank you once again for the unnecessary attention. Thank you for always keeping the Ophals and Rahi’s business in the vicinity of the public. You’re all doing a very good job indeed. As you know, I am no longer a director of the holding company. I run my own business with a mission to unite those who once had sinned against the public but were willing to grab their second chance and give back to society or people of their own circle. So, why would I dampen such spirit right?”

  The reporters could not refute her statement as she smiled.

  “So, here I am to clarify that none of us want to head back to the past. We all learn our lessons and repent. Given a choice, we would never… NEVER want to trade on that path ever. So, all of you, I wish you all the best in your year-end performance. Just a tip for you, if you would like to excel, maybe start covering more about the social welfare work we have been rendering. If you ask about our future plans? We intend to keep continuing our efforts to give back to society and provide for the needy. I personally invite each and every one of you. Yes, you the public to come to join us. Those who need help and are lost, we welcome you to us.” She flashed her trademark charming smile before waving for the camera and made her way into the annual dinner cause she knew she would make it to the news headline and at the very least Jeremy would get to see her.

  The siblings and Marcel applauded her for her spectacular way of handling the press as always while they all sat enjoying the night of celebration. She was a little surprised to see how closely Marcel was working with Ann and could not help but suspect something. Their interaction somewhat reminded her of the times she was working with Jason for his gigs.

  However, she decided to shrug it off and reminded herself to catch up with Ann soon over a meal she had rain-checked long ago. That night she drank a little too much but she had been training her alcohol tolerance. Hence, she was sober by the time the boys were settling in to sleep with her.

  As she sat in her room, she sipped her tea and enjoyed the sight of the stars at her window. Her bracelet was shimmering so brightly, illuminating her satisfaction with her performance so far that she decided to pen down another letter to Jeremy to comfort herself from missing him.

  52 days later

  It’s the festive season again, Jere. Who knew I would be here writing to you and not holding you? I attended the year-end annual dinner today and had a standing ovation from all the employees.

  I know it’s just clapping of hands. But when it’s by so many people who genuinely… I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by their gratitude.

  It dawned on me how much respect had I garnered for a very small effort I made to sustain the business back then. When I thought of how I was forced to take a break from the business for studies, I began to realise that maybe taking over the business from Dad was not a direction for me after all.

  Perhaps when I graduate and maybe by then you’re out, I will announce my retirement? I would like to focus on this charity work I am doing as more and more families of the victims were receiving treatment and refuge from the welfare we provided to them. Though I do wish outsiders would give us a chance but it’s too early as of now.

  At times like this, it reminded me of many deaths whether during the bad times or those we had tried to save along the way. At the end of the day, I am glad I am able to give back to society and perhaps someday repay for the sins that I still felt guilty of.

  I know you’re reading but you’re not in contact with any of us for whatever reasons they are. Else, I am sure all my plans will be guarded by my Dad. He had been such a control freak and I wondered was it you who made him to? But tonight, he seemed to give away some clues it’s you after hinting subtly this morning for me to attend tonight’s annual dinner which was very important to him.

  Even so, despite it all, I still love you, Jere. By the time you receive this letter, well… Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!