Robert immediately handed the document in his hand to Ivy. "Dad told me to read this.""Oh..." Ivy instantly lost interest as soon as she saw the title. "Keep reading, then! I won't bother you."Robert took the document back with a bitter smile and glanced outside the window. "Is Layla still coming in this weather?""Is Layla coming?" Ivy was slightly taken by shock."Layla told Mom that she will be coming home for dinner," Robert said. "I guess she is coming over to compliment you in person!"Ivy's lips curled into a smile, but she was still concerned when she saw how heavy it was raining. "It's dangerous to drive in this weather, right?""It's fine for experienced drivers, like me, but Layla doesn’t drive as often as I do," Robert said smugly. "Ivy, once you are free, I will teach you how to drive.""Sure!" Ivy agreed.Half an hour later, Layla arrived.Due to the sudden storm, she had ended work ahead of time as she did not dare drive too fast in this weather. If she had no

"Dad, are you talking about the same competitor as before?" Layla asked worriedly after taking her seat.Elliot raised an eyebrow. "You know which company we are talking about?""Of course! You never told me in person, but I overheard you while you were on a virtual meeting in your study!" Layla used to spend a lot of time with her father, and since Elliot had always seen Layla as a child, he would not avoid her when he was in business meetings."Geo Worldwide Cooperation, right? I know this firm even if I've never heard anything from you," Layla blurted out. "The owner of this firm is kind of weird. It's like he is crazy, but he sure is sharp when it matters. Whenever your company chooses a project to work with, this firm would follow your lead."Robert chuckled. "Dad showed me the information about Geo Worldwide Cooperation earlier, and I thought that he intended on sending me to work in that company as a spy."Layla shot him a glare. "You have the imagination of a movie directo

"I've already settled it with the person who bumped into my car. They will be responsible for the cost of repairs." Layla attempted to downplay the severity of the situation. "Look at the flowers. These are from the backyard of my parent's house, and my mom arranged them. They look so pretty that I decided to take them home.""You settled it without getting checked at the hospital?" Eric refused to change the subject. "Did you settle it in private because you were in a hurry to get home?""I'm fine! I would have gone to the hospital if I was feeling unwell. It was a light bump, and the airbag was deployed. I was just startled by the airbag—""How can you say that it was a light bump when the airbag deployed?" Eric was certain that Layla was trying to understate the situation and said, "Let's go to the closest hospital to have you checked.""What? To see if I have a concussion?" She pulled her arm away. "I told you that I'm fine, so why won't you believe me?" she shouted and walked

Ivy had not expected Layla to act on her promise from the night before.Before ending the call, Ivy asked, "Layla, why are you staying home with Eric today? Is he feeling unwell?"Layla chuckled. "He is fine. He just wants me to stay home with him.""Is he becoming that clingy now?" Ivy giggled. "You must be over the moon, then.""It's not what you think. Don't tell our parents, but another car bumped into mine last night. I'm fine, though. He is worried about me, so he requested that I stay home with him. He didn't say it out loud, but I can guess as much."The smile on Ivy's face instantly faded. "Are you really alright, Layla?""It's just a small accident. The car needs to be repaired, but I'm alright. Don't tell Mom and Dad," Layla explained."Okay. Stay home and rest, then. If you feel unwell, remember to go to the hospital at once.""Haha, I won't let anything happen to myself. Eric keeps thinking that he doesn't have much longer to live, so I told him last night that I w

"It's fine, Mom. Mr. Gardner talked to me about it before, and I was the one who decided to work that day," Ivy said calmly. "I'm the youngest amongst the interns this year, and I should be the one to take that shift."That shift required her to leave home by ten. It meant she would be counting down the end of the year at the station. It was the first New Year's that Ivy would be spending with her family, and even Avery, who did not care much about details, struggled to accept that her daughter would be spending New Year's Eve alone."Hayden hates companies that value seniority." Avery knew that she could not change Ivy's mind but still wanted to discuss the matter. "Willingness to compromise might give others the license to bully you. Sometimes, it's easier to be more demanding and selfish."Ivy nodded and noted Avery's advice."Mom, I guess I'm just used to it." Ivy had told herself that she could not be picky because she only managed to get the opportunity with Harry's help, a