[Kevin’s Apartment]

Later that evening, Kevin sat comfortably on the couch in his apartment, several scripts spread across the coffee table before him.

Ever since his popularity as a model had skyrocketed, producers had begun approaching him with acting offers. Some wanted him for romantic dramas, while others believed he had the screen presence for action films.

James had spent the past week filtering through the offers, bringing home only the scripts he thought were genuinely worth considering.

Although modeling remained Kevin’s primary career, he had begun thinking about expanding into acting.

It was a challenge he wanted to explore.

"Dude..."

Nate let out an exaggerated sigh from the opposite couch.

"You promised you’d come to dinner with us."

Kevin didn’t even lift his eyes from the script in his hands.

"I am."

He casually turned another page.

"We still have plenty of time."

Nate dramatically threw his head back.

"You’ve said that for the last forty minutes."

"And for the last forty minutes, you’ve been reading."

James walked in from the kitchen carrying three cans of beer.

"Here."

He tossed one to Nate before handing another to Kevin.

"Thanks."

Nate immediately cracked his open.

"You know..." he said after taking a sip, "you really missed today’s biggest entertainment."

Kevin finally looked up.

"What happened?"

"You seriously haven’t checked your phone?"

Kevin shook his head.

"I’ve been working."

Nate laughed.

"Then you’re in for a surprise."

He leaned forward excitedly.

"Olivia and Polly filed an attempted murder complaint against Nora."

Kevin’s brows knitted together.

"What?"

"And she’s currently in police custody."

Even James looked surprised.

"Attempted murder?"

Nate nodded enthusiastically.

"The three of them got into a massive fight at a bar."

"We left before things got completely out of hand."

"But..."

He grinned mischievously.

"...people who stayed recorded the whole thing."

Nate pulled out his phone.

"The videos are all over our group chat."

He opened one of the clips before handing the phone to Kevin.

The footage showed Nora screaming at Olivia before grabbing a glass bottle from a nearby table.

Moments later, she smashed it against the edge of the counter.

The broken bottle glinted sharply under the bar lights as she lunged toward Olivia.

Customers screamed.

People rushed to intervene.

Polly stepped between them and was accidentally injured during the struggle.

The video ended with security dragging Nora away while she continued shouting.

James stared at the screen in disbelief.

"...Wow."

He slowly looked up.

"She completely lost control."

Nate nodded.

"I never imagined she’d have that side to her."

Kevin remained silent as he replayed the video once more.

The Nora he had known in college had always appeared gentle and soft-spoken.

The woman in the recording looked like a completely different person.

"What shocked everyone even more," Nate continued, "was why the fight started."

Kevin handed the phone back.

"Why?"

Nate leaned back against the couch.

"Apparently Nora lied to Olivia and Polly about dating Aaron Emerson."

James let out a low whistle. "So the rumors were fake. Completely."

Nate nodded.

"They found out Aaron wasn’t even in a relationship with her. In fact, he’d rejected her after their first date"

Kevin frowned thoughtfully. "And then?"

"Then Nora’s mother showed up at the police station."

Nate laughed.

"She kept telling everyone that the Ford family had the Emerson family’s support. But according to Olivia and Polly...even that turned out to be a lie. They said the Emersons refused to help them."

James remained unusually quiet. After several moments, he finally spoke.

"I’m not convinced."

Both men looked at him.

"What do you mean?" Nate asked.

James crossed his arms. "I don’t think it’s that simple."

Nate raised an eyebrow.

"Explain."

James looked toward Kevin.

"You remember Ivy, right?"

Kevin nodded.

"Of course. She signed with Globe Entertainment because of Mr. Xander Emerson’s recommendation."

Nate frowned.

"So?"

"So Globe Entertainment isn’t the kind of company that signs artists because someone asks them to."

James continued calmly.

"They’re extremely selective. A recommendation might get you an audition. But it doesn’t guarantee a contract."

He looked between the two men.

"If Ivy truly entered Globe through Xander Emerson...then they clearly knew each other."

Nate scratched his head.

"I guess that makes sense."

James nodded.

"So I find it hard to believe the Ford family had absolutely no connection to the Emersons."

Kevin slowly lowered the script in his hands.

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"Why didn’t you ever mention that?"

James blinked. "You never asked."

Kevin stared at him for several seconds.

James smiled sheepishly.

"What?"

Nate burst into laughter.

"He’s got a point."

Kevin sighed helplessly before leaning back against the sofa. His thoughts wandered elsewhere, and a memory surfaced.

The evening of the get-together.

After Ivy had left the venue, Kevin had lost all interest in staying. He had headed toward the parking lot, intending to drive home. Just as he unlocked his car...he had seen a black luxury sedan pull up nearby.

The driver stepped out first. Then...Xander Emerson emerged from the back seat.

At the time, Kevin hadn’t given it much thought. He had assumed Xander was there for a business meeting or another corporate event.

But now...knowing that Ivy had been recommended by him...the memory suddenly felt different.

His chest tightened involuntarily.

No...

He immediately pushed the thought away.

Don’t overthink this, Kevin.

Ivy isn’t that kind of person.

He remembered the woman who had quietly endured years of rumors without trying to defend herself.

The woman who had worked tirelessly on every project without asking anyone for special treatment.

She wasn’t someone who would use another person to advance her career.

He believed that. He wanted to believe that. Yet another question lingered stubbornly in the back of his mind.

If Ivy and Xander had known each other long before anyone realized...

Why had they kept it hidden? And that is why she rejected him?

Kevin unconsciously tightened his grip on the script.

For the first time, curiosity began competing with his trust. And the more he thought about it, the more he realized there was still so much about Ivy that no one truly knew.

***

Later that evening, Ivy drove to the old Emerson residence with Leo happily seated in the back seat.

Earlier that afternoon, Edward had called personally, insisting that the two of them come over for dinner.

According to him, it had been "far too long" since he’d last seen his great-grandson.

The moment they entered the mansion, a familiar voice greeted them.

"I thought it was only my grandson who had forgotten about me."

Edward folded his arms and looked at them with exaggerated disappointment.

"But it seems even you and Leo have decided this old man no longer exists."

His tone was full of complaint, but the smile tugging at the corners of his lips betrayed him.

Ivy smiled apologetically.

"It’s not like that, Mr. Emerson—"

Edward immediately frowned.

"Mr. Emerson?"

He shook his head dramatically.

"I thought we had already settled this."

"It’s Grandpa."

Ivy couldn’t help laughing.

There were moments when the men of the Emerson family behaved so seriously...

And then there were moments like this.

They were unexpectedly adorable.

She nodded obediently.

"You’re right."

"I’m sorry..."

"...Grandpa."

His expression softened instantly.

"That’s much better."

"I’ve just been busy lately."

"Filming has been taking up most of my time."

Edward gave an understanding nod.

"I know."

"Xander has been keeping me updated."

He looked at her kindly.

"But being busy doesn’t mean you forget your family."

Before Ivy could respond, a small figure ran toward Edward.

"Grampy!"

Leo wrapped one arm around Edward’s waist in a cheerful side hug.

"Mommy’s telling the truth."

"We’ve both been super busy."

He looked up with an innocent grin.

"But don’t worry."

"I’m here now."

"We’ll spend lots of time together today."

Edward’s heart instantly melted.

He chuckled as he gently patted Leo’s head.

"My good boy."

"I knew at least one person in this family still remembered me."

Just then, another voice echoed through the living room.

"Oh..."

"What a heartbreaking sight."

Everyone turned.

Aaron had just walked through the front door.

One hand rested dramatically over his chest as though he’d suffered a devastating betrayal.

"So this is how it is?"

He looked at Leo with exaggerated sadness.

"I’ve loved you for years."

"I’ve bought you toys."

"I’ve spoiled you with ice cream."

"And yet..."

He pointed accusingly at Edward.

"He gets the hug?"

Aaron sighed dramatically.

"My poor heart."

"I’ve been completely abandoned by my own nephew."

Leo giggled.

"Uncle Aaron..."

Aaron immediately straightened.

"Yes?"

Leo smiled mischievously.

"You have to earn hugs."

Edward burst into laughter.

"Did you hear that?"

"My great-grandson has standards."

Aaron looked genuinely offended.

"I’ve been demoted."

"I’m not even hug-worthy anymore."

Leo nodded thoughtfully.

"Maybe..."

"If you bring me chocolate next time."

Aaron gasped.

"So that’s your price?"

Leo grinned.

"I learned from Daddy."

The room fell silent for half a second.

Then everyone burst into laughter.

Even Ivy had to cover her mouth to hide her smile.

Edward laughed so hard that tears formed in the corners of his eyes.

"That boy..."

"He’s definitely Xander’s son."

Aaron walked over and ruffled Leo’s hair.

"You little negotiator."

"I’ll remember this."

Leo folded his arms proudly.

"I’ll remember the chocolate too."

Another wave of laughter filled the living room.

For a while, the mansion echoed with nothing but warm voices and genuine smiles.

Watching Edward laugh so freely, Ivy felt her own heart grow lighter.

Moments like these reminded her what a real family looked like—one where teasing came with affection, arguments ended in laughter, and everyone quietly cherished one another without needing to say it aloud.