Now that her mind has drifted to Louis, she began pondering about his current state. She totally forgot to ask Zack about him as she was so focused on how to get on with her plan and solving the situation.
“When will you be discharged? You seem fine now.” Susan’s voice jolted her from her thought. She snapped out of it and decided to reserve the questions she had for Zack.
“Yeah, you seem very okay,” Anna chimed in as they both stared at her waiting for her reply.
“I don’t know yet,” she responded. “Maybe within the week, I would love to be discharged as soon as possible.”
Although Ivy responded to their questions, Anna sensed Ivy’s mind was elsewhere. Her terse smile quickly faltered, and she couldn’t help but notice the constant subtle surveillance from one of the bodyguards. Every few minutes, someone would discreetly peer in their direction, making her increasingly certain they, especially Susan, were being monitored. She couldn’t hold back her inquisition anymore. Her curiosity was getting the better of her. The sight of the guard’s consistent surveillance was her final straw. “Yeah, you’re right, Susan. I think we are some kind of national security threat,” she blurted out her thoughts.
Ivy furrowed her brow, confused by Anna’s sudden sarcasm. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern. Her gaze darted between Anna and Susan as if searching for a clue from their expressions.
Even Susan was a bit confused. “What happened?”
Anna’s eyes quirked, signaling them to look at the door. Ivy and Susan glanced at the door but couldn’t comprehend what Anna was trying to express.
“What is it?” Ivy asked, and Anna let out a loud sigh. “Look Ivy, I know you’re trying to be secretive and all, but try to loosen up a little; your guards are spying on me and Susan…”
Ivy didn’t respond. She understood it had something to do with the tight security but didn’t expect it to impact on the two of them negatively. She guessed maybe Anna just was trying to dip in and get answers to her questions she had been wanting to ask for a long time.
“They are just trying to do their job. I’m sorry it made you feel that way,” Ivy apologized. Her subtle inkling made Anna realize the reason behind the security might be more serious than she initially thought. But still, she wanted to know. “Ivy, I said that not only because I feel slightly uncomfortable but I wanted to know if…” She paused, hesitating, then waved casually. “Never mind.”
Ivy chuckled as she clearly understood Anna’s curiosity. She was ambiguously asking for the reason behind the tons of bodyguards outside. “Just pretend they’re invisible if you feel uncomfortable,” Ivy said with a wry smile, trying to avoid the subject. She couldn’t bring herself to narrate her entire experience from the time of the abduction until the present. They had been friends for less than three months; she hadn’t earned her trust to simply share her personal problems with her.
She observed Anna’s expression turn a bit serious before forcing a smile. Anna’s subtle reaction to her reply only suggested her thoughts were spot on.
Anna stayed for another half hour before she finally left the both of them. The moment she left, Susan let out a deep sigh. “Ivy, is there a problem? The number of guards has significantly increased in a matter of a few days or so after filming was wrapped up,” she said, her curious gaze steady on Ivy.
Since she hadn’t updated her on the situation for quite some time, she decided to break the terrible news. “Edmond and Isabelle are dead.”
“What?” Susan’s brows furrowed, staring at Ivy in disbelief. “You can’t be serious, right? I mean…”
“And this accident was well-planned and executed by, God knows who,” Ivy added and began narrating everything that happened so far, including the progress of the investigation.
Susan silently listened, overwhelmed with the terrible ordeal Ivy went through. “This is awful; don’t you think it’s someone we don’t even suspect,” Susan indicated. “Maybe Jake Black might not be…” She paused when she realized what she said was a defective assumption. “I totally forgot Isabelle tried to hurt you all because you exposed her cunning nature. Why can’t Jake Black do the same after all you ratted him out?”
“I don’t know,” Ivy replied, unsure of what to believe. “No evidence points at him, and he is currently under surveillance; plotting a revenge can be very risky for him.”
Susan nodded in agreement; the situation was a head-scratcher, the fear of the unknown was daunting, and she could relate to Ivy’s uneasiness on the situation. “I’m glad you survived that; we just need to find the mastermind as soon as possible before something bad happens again.”
“Of course, I won’t let them win again; I’m tired of fearing for my life,” Ivy said, her voice piercing with resolve.
Susan stared at her with curiosity. “What do you want to do?”
Ivy went silent, unwilling to explain in detail. “I can’t tell for now; I’m still thinking if it’s safe.”
“Safe?” Susan asked, intrigued by what she said. “What do you mean, do you plan on doing something reckless?”
She asked, although she knew Ivy wasn’t the reckless kind; her words hinted that she was willing to take a big risk.
Ivy’s shoulders rose in a careless shrug, trying to lighten the intensity of her words. “No, I’m not being rash; I’m just fed up.”
Susan wasn’t buying her reply. Ivy was being evasive with her plan, and it was causing her concerns. “Ivy, let the police handle it; with time, everything will be over.”
Ivy averted her eyes away from her. “I know… it would have been over if I had done what I should have,” she responded absentmindedly.
“Ivy, can you share your plans with me? You know we agreed on reaching new heights next year; I don’t want anything to ruin that,” Susan said, her gaze soft and considerate.
“Now you’ve switched from a friend to a manager,” Ivy chortled. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything reckless, and as for my career, I know next year is set for me.”
She smiled softly, avoiding her question.
Susan sighed in defeat. “Fine, let me trust whatever you have decided on; after all, I’m not the only one who will try to stop you from doing something reckless…”