Chapter 172


    Ivy sat on the second-floor balcony, soaking up the sunset with a cup of tea in hand.


    She squinted her eyes and was ovee by drowsiness. She then heard purposefully lowered


    footsteps.


    Ivy grimaced. “Jimmy?”


    “Ms. Morgan, you are brilliant! Without turning around, you already know it’s me. Your calm and


    collected demeanor is unlike that of other women. I’ve prepared a fruit tter for you. Is today’s


    dinner still eptable?”


    Jimmy rubbed his hands nervously and spoke with some trepidation, “Mr. Reed arranged for those


    meals. I’m not sure if they’re to your liking. I’m starting my first day on the job today. I’m not willing to


    risk losing this job over dinner. After all, I am a certified first-ss chef.”


    Ivy’s upturned lips stiffened slightly at the corners.


    ‘Was Calum the one who ordered them? I assumed the fact that those are my favorite dishes was


    coincidental. How did he find out in the first ce?’


    Ivy’s heart felt a little stuffy at the moment.


    The more Calum poured his heart into her, the more she felt uneasy.


    Ivy quickly regained herposure.


    “Since I am not a picky eater, you may prepare whatever you wish.”


    After all, Ivy was not a particrly gluttonous eater. She could simply return to the Morgan Mansion


    if she truly disliked it.


    Jimmy desired to continue speaking, but Ivy set the teacup down and took a deep breath.


    “I nearly forgot. I’m going shoppingter with some friends and will returnte. Keep in mind to


    leave the door unlocked.


    “Shopping? Do you require my assistance in carrying your bags?”


    Jimmy jumped at the opportunity to volunteer. His matchmaking tasks will be significantly simplified


    if he can earn Ivy’s trust!


    Ivy feigned an inconvenient smile. “There is none. Bill will apany me.”


    INSIDE THE MALL.


    While Windy and Agatha awaited Ivy, they sat in the lounge massage chairs.


    Ivy chuckled lightly as she looked at the two.


    “An evening shopping spree? Are you two that upied recently?”


    Agatha gave her a sarcastic roll of her eyes. “We’re simply looking for ways to keep you upied.


    Otherwise, there is no guarantee that your old feelings will not be reignited if you spend your days


    and nights fighting Calum Reed!”


    Windy gave a nod of approval. “I heard Eva, the old hag, was in the hospital?”


    Ivy sat on the side with her eyebrows raised. “You two are quite informed, aren’t you?”


    Bill possessed the foresight to avoid a close pursuit. He was constantly on guard not far away,


    ensuring that Ivy remained a safe distance away from him, allowing him to react if necessary.


    Windy and Agatha dragged Ivy around the mall with their bags.


    “How am I supposed to be ignorant? My uncle runs that hospital. I’ve heard that she was covered in


    blood upon arrival and even awoke to curse you. The peculiar thing is that the Reeds kept this


    quiet, and not a single person came over to see her.”


    Windy continued, “Does this have anything to do with you?” he looked at Ivy.


    Ivy gave a smallugh. Her gaze was icy.


    “She got what she deserved. That knife was intended to pierce me, but Bill prevented it.”


    For a brief moment, Agatha and Windy were still.


    Windy advanced and took her arm in hers. “Let us avoid that subject. By the way, did Calum Reed


    take advantage of you when you moved in to look after him?”


    “Now he is crippled. How did he get the opportunity at all?


    “That is an excellent point to make. While we are opposed to your reuniting with him, we appreciate


    his effort this time.”


    Ivy smiled as she lowered her eyes. Her arm was yanked to the side by Agatha. Her tone was one


    of wonder.


    “Wait a minute... who is that?!”


    They followed Agatha’s lead and came across a woman in uniform kneeling on the ground to help


    some customers put on shoes. Piper Reed was who she was!


    They were all taken aback.


    They were all of the opinions that they had seen it incorrectly. They realized it was indeed her upon


    looking closer.


    Windy was the first to address the group. “Piper Reed has been missing for an extended period, but


    has she been hiding right under our nose? Why was no one informed?!”


    Ivy’s eyes squinted. She was astounded as well.


    Although Piper’s humble stance and forced smile while putting on shoes for the customer were


    obvious, Piper looked significantly better than she had previously.


    They were simply unustomed to Piper’s demeanor.


    Nobody expected Ms. Reed, who is arrogant and overbearing, to end up working as a store


    attendant!


    How could Calum Reed arrange for his sister to visit this establishment?


    “Should we go check it out?” Agatha inquired.


    Ivy shook her head, but Windy dragged them over already.


    “Certainly!”


    “Wee...”


    Piper escorted a customer and immediately bowed to greet the newly arrived customers.


    Piper’s face immediately changed when she raised her eyes and saw Ivy and her friends.


    “What are you doing here? Leave!”


    ‘Well, I suppose her temper hasn’t changed!’


    Windy couldn’t stop himself from sneering. “Of course, we’re here to buy shoes! We’re more


    interested in learning what you’re doing here, Ms. Reed.”


    Piper’s face was flushed with rage. She was enraged when she saw Ivy, but in light of Calum’s


    warning, she dared not be as reckless as previously.


    “How does this rte to you? Please do so if you wish to purchase something; otherwise, leave!”


    Ivy squinted. Her lovely features possessed an air of yfulness.


    “Did your brother send you here to live a plebeian life?”


    Piper clenched her teeth and locked her gaze on Ivy. “It’s entirely your fault! You still dare to bring


    this up?!!”


    “Certainly! You earned it, so what does it matter to me?” Ivyughed apathetically.


    Standing to the side, the store manager noticed the three well-dressed customers and immediately


    recognized them as not ordinary customers. As a result, she greeted them immediately with a smile.


    “Are these your customers, Piper? Are you in need of assistance?”


    Windy extended her hand and motioned around before Piper spoke. “This, that, and the other.”


    Gather them all together and bring them to me.”


    Piper’s face contorted as she delivered a death stare to Ivy. She stood motionless, having no


    intention of serving them.


    She was enraged.


    She was urged and whispered to by the store manager. “Get moving! Are you sure you don’t want


    themission? You’ve sold only one pair of shoes this month, which puts you well short of your


    target.”


    “Wait a moment. Piper will attend to your needs immediately.”


    Ivy grinned. “I’m not going to try them on. We’ll just purchase the pairs that my friend selected


    earlier because I’m not in the mood to stay another second,”


    Piper frowned and questioned Ivy’s kindness.


    “All right,” the store manager stated. “I knew youdies must be Piper’s friends and came here


    specifically to support her, correct?”


    Ivyughed lightly, “We are not friends with Piper. You may deduct themission from the shoes


    we purchased previously. I wish you the best of luck in meeting your sales target!”


    Piper’s face darkened.


    The store manager beamed when he heard this. She then went to wrap those pairs of shoes


    herself.


    Windy desired to tease Piper, but Ivy refused, so she could only watch. Following payment, the


    three exited.


    “Howe you’re so nice to her? Did you forget how she previously treated you?” Windy reminded


    Ivy grudgingly. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Ivy pressed her lips together. “Of course, I recall, but I’m not interested in bing involved with


    the Reeds. Calum Reed is already a handful as a single annoying individual.”


    Piper had not bothered her recently, and Ivy had no objection to Piper silently despising her.


    In any case, Ivy was unconcerned.


    On the other hand, Ivy was delighted to see Piper so servile and exasperated.


    The three strolled through the mall, purchasing numerous items. They returned to their own homes


    as it became dark.


    Ivy’s bags were handed to Bill as she exited the mall.


    HUDSON YARDS.


    The living room lights remained on. Ivy immediately detected a fragrant chocte aroma upon


    entering the house.


    Jimmy greeted them cheerfully as he emerged from the kitchen, holding a spoon.


    “Ms. Morgan, you purchased quite a few items! You should bring me next time so that I can assist


    you with carrying your bags. This frees up Bill’s hands to protect you. I, too, have a fairly good eye!”