Shorts Enthusiast | Became Bullied Girl in Novel, Tamed the Campus King
#shorts #shortdrama #drama #ai #aidrama #fyp #foryou
#shorts #shortdrama #drama #ai #aidrama #fyp #foryou
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00:00:00i used to be manhattan's most expensive luxury dating coach rich women paid me toad eats them
00:00:05how to tame airs athletes and billionaires then i woke up inside a young adult romance novel as ivy
00:00:11a bullied outcast driven to the rooftop by her fake best friend chloe chloe used ivy to test julian
00:00:18the school's golden boy then watched her get humiliated bullied and broken too bad i am not
00:00:23the old ivy i know exactly how men work you will play innocent make julian obsessed turn chloe's
00:00:29perfect love story into my battlefield and take everything she thought was hers
00:00:35i was the most expensive luxury dating coach in manhattan my clients weren't lovesick girls
00:00:42they were beautiful ambitious women who wanted old money athlete boyfriends and tech billionaires
00:00:47handing over their black cards teaching them how to get exactly that was my job but when i opened
00:00:52my eyes again i had somehow been thrown into a young adult romance novel worse i was standing
00:00:58on the edge of the westbridge academy rooftop wind cut up under my skirt my mind went blank then the
00:01:04noise below yanked me back to reality a crowd had gathered phones raised live streams rolling everyone
00:01:10cheering like they were waiting for a show oh god is she really gonna jump this time no chance she
00:01:16wants
00:01:17julian's attention this is just a show ivy lane stop wasting everyone's time just jump already the original
00:01:22ivy's memories hit fast 18 senior year at westbridge timid pretty and shy too shy to ever look at anyone
00:01:30in the school that is why she has become chloe winter's target chloe this so-called best friend
00:01:36manipulated ivy to play her twisted game to get julian julian was the heir to the kingsley family the
00:01:42captain of the football team and the male main character in this book she'd sent him letter after
00:01:48letter it ended in a public humiliation look at yourself ivy cheap clothes sad little crush and
00:01:54somehow you still thought you belong next to me chloe and i are the story you're just the joke after
00:01:59that she became the school's punching bag locker spray painted textbooks covered in slurs lunch knocked to
00:02:05the floor drenched after jim she went crying to chloe chloe smiled oh honey you were never a friend you
00:02:12were
00:02:12a placeholder i just needed julian to see rock bottom so he'd appreciate the upgrade you've
00:02:17served your purpose go back to being invisible at her most desperate moment the original ivy ended up
00:02:22here and i took over a cold robotic voice sounded in my head system alert survival balance activated
00:02:28mission raise hundred thousand within 30 days failure penalty return to the rooftop ending i looked
00:02:34down at all those people waiting for me to fall and laughed a hundred grand from spoiled private school
00:02:38kids dear system you just gave me my old job back i stepped back from the edge the crowd erupted
00:02:45in
00:02:45boots i knew she wouldn't jump what a drama queen her live stream is almost at five thousand viewers
00:02:52she must be loving this suddenly the rooftop door slammed open julian rushed in still in his training
00:02:58clothes forehead damp breathing hard when he saw i was still alive relief crossed his face for one second
00:03:04before it went cold stop the act ivy nobody is buying your drama anymore i didn't break down instead
00:03:10i lifted my face slowly and let my eyes go glassy holding the tears right at the edge hurt soft
00:03:16just
00:03:17fragile enough to trip a man's hero instinct my signature beginner lesson play the lamb to hook the wolf
00:03:23julian i'm sorry if i'd known how you really felt about chloe i never would have put you in such
00:03:30an awkward
00:03:33position julian froze the old ivy would have cried made excuses and begged him to believe her but now
00:03:40i was gentle and understanding a perfect innocent lamb men always eat it up so i'll make this easy for
00:03:46you starting today i'm letting you go his throat moved i didn't give him the chance to answer i walked
00:03:51past him toward the stairs back straight steps even i walked back to class the second i pushed the door
00:03:56open a bucket of ice water crashed down from above white shirt soaked through the whole class burst
00:04:01out laughing welcome back rooftop princess playing the victim didn't work huh needed a cold shower to
00:04:07wake up the soaked white shirt clung to every curve the thin fabric hiding nothing the classroom laughter
00:04:15started loud and went quiet as the guy's eyes lingered the original ivy had always hidden under baggy
00:04:21clothes and thick bangs nobody knew what was underneath until now i didn't curse anyone out i wiped my
00:04:29face and walked out julian was coming down the hall and the second he saw me his steps faltered his
00:04:34eyes
00:04:34dropped to my soaked shirt before he jerked them away ears going red what the hell do you want now
00:04:43could you
00:04:44tell them to stop if it comes from you maybe they'll finally leave me alone i don't want to be
00:04:49scared to
00:04:49come to school anymore they do this to you a lot i almost laughed he had to know he just
00:04:54hadn't cared
00:04:55before it's my fault i liked someone i never should have that was my mistake but julian i don't regret
00:05:02liking you i've cried over you so many times for the last time will you wipe my tears away he
00:05:09didn't speak
00:05:09but his thumb brushed my cheek in clumsy strokes his touch was hesitant filled with the awkward restraint of
00:05:15a guy fighting himself i watched him lose control little by little while my own heart stayed perfectly
00:05:20calm what men call disgust is often just one tear drop away from raw hunger thank you my first love
00:05:27ends here i walked away at the stairwell corner i glanced back julian was still standing there staring
00:05:35at the hand he'd used to wipe my tears like it still carried the heat of my skin
00:05:41back in the empty dorm i changed and pushed my bangs off my face in the mirror the girl staring
00:05:46back was starting to look like me
00:05:50bank notification ten thousand dollars deposited right after a text from an unknown number this is
00:05:56julian i posted a statement on the school forum i heard they ruined your stuff this should cover and
00:06:00take the money ten thousand back in manhattan that wasn't enough for one of my clients to buy a handbag
00:06:05but from a high school kid it said everything he wasn't paying for a uniform he was paying for his
00:06:10own guilt thank you but i can't take this my books are still usable my uniform still fits
00:06:17take it this is the least i can do so bossy i'm pathetic aren't i i said i wouldn't cry
00:06:24over you
00:06:24anymore but your message is making me tear up again he went quiet for a long time i could picture
00:06:29him
00:06:30staring at his phone guilty softening feeling something he was trying hard to bury then the
00:06:35dorm door swung open chloe white dress blonde hair that sweet smile the whole school knew but her eyes
00:06:40couldn't hide it nice little trick today you make a scene on the roof and suddenly julian is posting
00:06:46statements for you honestly a little disappointing up close a woman who really knows how to hold a man
00:06:55doesn't need another girl to test him for her you'd best to really be over him because if you're not
00:07:01i'll make your life even worse i tilted my phone screen toward her i was over him but then julian
00:07:08saw
00:07:09my clothes were wet and sent me ten thousand dollars chloe's face went stiff her birthday bracelet from
00:07:14julian last month had been five thousand which old creep actually sent you that you couldn't get julian so
00:07:22you found some rich old man to pay for you god you're disgusting i let my eyes go red and
00:07:29ran chloe
00:07:30chased after me thinking i felt cornered she had no idea i just needed a bigger audience if you are
00:07:35going to put on a show you do it where everyone can see ivy why are you running feeling guilty
00:07:42now that
00:07:42everyone knows you took dirty money from some old creep by the time we reached the lobby a crowd had
00:07:47already gathered chloe saw the audience and switched immediately her voice turning sweet and wounded
00:07:52ivy i know i was harsh but i'm only saying this because i care about you
00:07:58you're my best friend i can't stand by and watch you destroy yourself over ten thousand dollars
00:08:07chloe is way too nice ivy took money from some old guy and chloe still treats her like a friend
00:08:14selling herself to an old creep for ten grand that's disgusting i kept my head down and said nothing
00:08:19i was waiting julian always came this way from training chloe got bolder and reached for my phone
00:08:23give it back for all you know the guy has a wife and kids one casual line and she branded
00:08:29me a home
00:08:30wrecker this was exactly how she backed the original ivy into a corner but this time she picked the wrong
00:08:34target let her go the lobby went silent julian walked in from training hair still damp face ice
00:08:40cold he didn't even glance at chloe he just took my phone back and stepped in front of me i
00:08:45gave her
00:08:46the money the color drained from chloe's face the crowd erupted julian looked down at me why didn't
00:08:51you just tell them it was for me i finally let the tears fall big drops rolling down biting my
00:08:56lip to stay
00:08:56quiet i've already caused you so much trouble i didn't want to drag you into this again julian's
00:09:02expression softened i got there before he could speak i'm grateful julian i really am but for chloe's
00:09:09sake and yours we should keep our distance from now on i turned and ran from behind i must have
00:09:16looked
00:09:16like a girl with a broken heart only i knew i was running because if i stayed one more second
00:09:20i'd laugh
00:09:20out loud behind me chloe tried to explain herself voice shaking julian went quiet then spoke in a
00:09:26voice cold enough to freeze the whole room enough chloe you went way too far today
00:09:33after that the open bullying stopped nobody dared touch me with julian's name attached to mine
00:09:38but the quiet war never ended cruel posts on the forum lunch trays that vanished nasty notes in my desk
00:09:46chloe didn't need to get her hands dirty she just said the rumors and let the school's social machine
00:09:51do the rest i read every post without flinching this was how elite schools actually worked no public
00:09:57trials just whispers cold shoulders and lunch table politics until you had nowhere left to sit the grinding
00:10:05went on for weeks then one afternoon a guy shoved me hard in the hallway in front of a crowd
00:10:10before i could
00:10:11react julian appeared and shut it down in two sentences everyone scattered it was just the two
00:10:17of us left standing there why don't you ever fight back getting angry just gives them more to use against
00:10:24me he looked at me for a long moment something shifting behind his eyes i'll make sure this doesn't
00:10:31happen again i gave him a small smile and walked away before he could read anything into it but i
00:10:36felt
00:10:36his eyes follow me all the way down the hall then chloe made her next move a spot had opened
00:10:41up at the
00:10:42spring charity gala the pianist had hurt her wrist and the performance slot was empty in the student
00:10:46council meeting chloe turned to me with a sweet smile and nominated me in front of everyone the whole
00:10:52room was already quietly laughing the old ivy couldn't speak in front of a class putting her on stage
00:10:57at a gala full of board members and donors as a public execution you're so good at pretending let's see
00:11:06how long you can keep it up i'll try my best chloe's smile twitched half the room was already reserving
00:11:19front row seats for the disaster i looked down at the program and smiled to myself in my old world
00:11:23a woman didn't have to know how to love but piano dance wine equestrian racing she needed at least
00:11:30one i happened to know all the night of the gala chloe walked in on julian's arm in a white
00:11:36satin gown
00:11:38safe sweet perfect i wore a simple black velvet dress just enough to show my neck and shoulders
00:11:43when the spotlight hit me on stage the whispering in the crowd died i sat at the piano and placed
00:11:48my fingers
00:11:49on the keys not the easy piece they expected me to ruin a reworked rajman enough dark at the start
00:11:56then sharpening into something that couldn't be ignored i let my body move with it just enough hair
00:12:01brushing my cheek the velvet shifting shoulders catching the light i didn't have to look to know
00:12:06whose eyes were burning into me from the front row the last note fell two seconds of silence then applause
00:12:13hit the room like a wave chloe stood at the side of the stage face white
00:12:17she had set this up to destroy me instead i had used her stage to calm myself after the gala
00:12:23i changed and headed out at the hallway corner julian was already there standing in the shadows
00:12:30he looked up when he saw me throat moving but said nothing ivy i stopped but didn't turn around
00:12:37what was the piece you played i turned slowly he wasn't pretending he didn't want to know
00:12:42i stepped closer and reached up to fix his slightly rumpled collar my fingers barely touched him only
00:12:48for a second but his whole body went still it was max ritzitz julian
00:12:55the gala is over are you seriously still hanging around him
00:12:58i stepped back with an innocent smile sorry for bothering you
00:13:05i turned and walked to the elevator steps light chloe had cut him off at the perfect moment julian
00:13:10had just realized he never really knew me and now he would spend the whole night wondering what else
00:13:14he had missed what pulls a man in deepest is not love it is curiosity chloe had lost a few
00:13:21rounds
00:13:21which meant she was getting ready to hit back i needed to move somewhere she had no control in the
00:13:26in the original story there was one place chloe hated more than anything apex club members only
00:13:32racing club outside the city rich kid party on the surface illegal street racing underneath julian
00:13:38loved it because it was forbidden chloe wanted him polished and perfect the old ivy would never have
00:13:44gone near it i wasn't her if westbridge was chloe's stage apex club was my hunting ground friday night
00:13:50tight black top high-waisted pants leather jacket hanging open not the crying flower from westbridge
00:13:55i looked like trouble inside dark loud air thick with alcohol and burning rubber bodies pressed close
00:14:01the track circling the hill outside the trap i'd barely stepped in when a guy appeared beer in hand
00:14:06first time here something like that want me to show you around easy to get lost his gaze dropped to
00:14:13my
00:14:13waist i smiled like maybe then walked away at the bar i ordered a mocktail turned slightly sideways let the
00:14:21jacket slip off one shoulder another guy sat down and offered to explain the track i let him talk
00:14:27then i felt heavy fixed possessive julian was at the edge of the crowd in his black racing jacket
00:14:34face dark eyes locked on me not coming over the guy said something i laughed softly the water bottle in
00:14:42julian's hand crumpled race time julian versus rex calloway drivers got into position but julian stayed
00:14:51put until the staff called his name twice rex laughed from his car kingsley losing your head over a girl
00:14:57you planning your loss chloe rushed in and spotted me surrounded at the bar her face changed ivy what the
00:15:03hell are you doing here watching the race do you even know what kind of place this is i do
00:15:09that's
00:15:09what makes it fun flag dropped julian was slow off the line chloe ran to the fence i watched and
00:15:15smiled
00:15:15he wasn't losing on skill his head was somewhere else third turn coming up i kept my voice low
00:15:22julian didn't break his car flew into the turn kissed the barrier hit the brakes at the last second swung
00:15:28the
00:15:28rear and cut inside to take the lead the club exploded as the car came out of the turn julian
00:15:35looked through the windshield straight at me short look hot enough to burn julian won rex slammed his
00:15:42door julian pulled off his helmet and didn't look at the trophy or at chloe his eyes went straight
00:15:46through the crowd until they found me i was at the bar touching up my lipstick in the mirror i
00:15:51watched him
00:15:51close and fast some guy had leaned over to light what he thought was my cigarette candy stick but julian
00:15:58didn't know that his face went cold he walked up and the guys around me scattered you shouldn't be
00:16:05here neither should you that's different how i stood and moved closer heat from the race still
00:16:13on him cedar and sweat underneath because you're julian kingsley so you get to break rules and have
00:16:19everyone cheer but because i'm ivy lane i'm supposed to stay at school and let people walk all over me
00:16:24he had nothing to say i smiled your third turn was really good though rex tried to bait you into
00:16:31breaking early and you didn't take it perfect breaking point clean exit the way julian looked
00:16:36at me changed completely not surprise the shock of being understood chloe and his parents called it
00:16:40reckless and embarrassing i knew exactly where he'd won that hits differently than flattery ever could
00:16:45chloe came over smile already slipping ivy since when do you know anything about racing i just picked it up
00:16:51from watching rex had heard me he stared then grinned if you know that much why not come feel it
00:16:57yourself door already open a girl's helmet on the seat i knew the setup without looking at julian
00:17:03i smiled at rex just a regular ride of course you're too pretty to scare julian's face darkened ivy
00:17:10don't get in that car why not he had no standing to answer i got in driver was mason rex's
00:17:15sidekick
00:17:15the kind who lived to show off relax princess i'll be gentle then go slow i scare easy door
00:17:21shut engine roared in the mirror julian standing still his eyes cold beside him chloe's eyes flashed
00:17:27with satisfaction she knew mason wouldn't go slow she wanted footage of me screaming she wanted to undo
00:17:31everything i built out of the party area mason lasted about 30 seconds before he slammed the gas
00:17:39i grabbed my seat belt and looked scared on cue what's wrong ivy you had a lot to say earlier
00:17:45tight
00:17:46turn ahead and he wasn't slowing he jerked the wheel side to side waiting for me to scream
00:17:53slow down come on princess don't kill the fun
00:18:01mason stop the car mason heard him and got more excited
00:18:05next turn was tighter at this speed the car was going to spin i dropped the act
00:18:11i said slow down before he could laugh i grabbed the wheel with one hand and yanked the handbrake
00:18:16with the other tire screamed the reader swung out it was the barrier by inches mason slammed into his
00:18:21door face white i took the wheel and straightened the car clean did she just save that car mason almost
00:18:27wrecked and ivy pulled it back
00:18:32are you out of your mind he started it looks like ivy can do more than talk how about a
00:18:41real race
00:18:46rex don't ivy just got lucky there's no way she can actually race
00:18:57she's not racing you're deciding for her what are you to her kingsley i looked at chloe her eyes said
00:19:05come on you are so good at this let's see it i reached into my pocket took out my lipstick
00:19:11and
00:19:12touched up my color in the car window slow the whole track went quiet one lap ivy don't i opened
00:19:19the driver's
00:19:22door i've been wondering how good apex drivers really are time to find out three two one
00:19:35rex pushed in from the side right off the line heavier car bumper almost touching mine
00:19:41brake early and he boxes me out flinch and the rear goes i didn't fight him gave up the first
00:19:47straight
00:19:47held the inside through turn two and waited the real race was turn three the big screen was live
00:19:53the crowd went quiet fast they could see i wasn't driving blind i knew the line knew when to give
00:20:00ground knew when to wait for rex to make a mistake julian was at the fence both hands on the
00:20:07railing
00:20:08knuckles white chloe's smile faded piece by piece
00:20:14no way there's no way she knows how to drive turn three rex shoved from the right forcing me
00:20:20toward the outside barrier break now and he cuts me off don't break and i fly off the track everyone
00:20:27thought i'd panic i've never been good at playing it safe i am good at finding the one second everyone
00:20:32else is too scared to take brake wheel tires screaming rear swinging wide through the turn with inches to spare
00:20:38rex yanked his wheel and hit the inside barrier a crash tore through the track my car cut through
00:20:44the smoke and took the final straight i checked the mirror lipstick still perfect good a woman can
00:20:50get messy but she should look good when she wins she won she actually beat rex ivy lane that's ivy
00:21:01from
00:21:01west i stepped out into the wind headlights behind me every camera turning my way rex got helped out
00:21:07looking gray car fine pride wasn't you cheated
00:21:15how by using my brain laughter everywhere julian pushed through and stopped in front of me
00:21:20he checked my wrists my arms my face people nearby were already noticing
00:21:27do you have any idea how dangerous that was i looked up at him no smile no act just my
00:21:32eyes
00:21:33holding his steady like he was the only person left on the track his breathing stopped anger still
00:21:38there but something hotter broke through his gaze dropped to my lips snapped back jaw going tight like
00:21:43he was fighting himself in front of everyone julian suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward a
00:21:49car parked in the corner the noise from the crowd faded after only a few steps under the dim light
00:21:54he
00:21:55trapped me between the car door and his hard chest his breathing heavy and rough how much more are you
00:22:00hiding from me i looked up at him my eyes were still red from the race but my voice came
00:22:04out soft and teasing
00:22:05you never really looked at me before of course you wouldn't know julian's gaze dropped straight to my lips
00:22:11the fresh lipstick looked bold and shiny against my innocent face like pure temptation his fingers
00:22:16stayed locked around my wrist his palm burning hot against my skin ivy don't look at me like that
00:22:22like what i leaned in closer until his hot breath mixed with mine there was almost no space left
00:22:27between our bodies i could feel his control cracking his throat bobbed hard his eyes flicked from my eyes
00:22:31to my lips and back again like he was ashamed of how badly he wanted me but the next second
00:22:35he gave in
00:22:35and leaned down his nose brushing my cheek his mouth hovering just above mine i didn't pull away i just
00:22:40blinked
00:22:40slowly playing the innocent girl who had no idea what she was doing to him do you have any idea
00:22:44how
00:22:45scared i was out there but i watched you when you won you looked really good on the track
00:22:55that one sentence snapped the last of his restraint his fingers tightened on my wrist almost painfully
00:23:00his other hand slammed against the car door beside my head his tall hot body pressed closer pinning me
00:23:05there and blocking out everything else all i could feel was the heat rolling off him his strong scent and
00:23:10the way his cock was already half hard against my stomach as he fought not to grind into me ivy
00:23:15what the hell are you trying to do
00:23:20chloe pushed through the crowd and stepped between us she didn't accuse me of following julian this time
00:23:25everyone knew i'd been here before he came over you know julian isn't supposed to race you know how
00:23:30much his family hates him coming here yet you still showed up dressed like a slut and acted like you
00:23:36understand him better than anyone was ruining things between us not enough now you want to ruin his whole future
00:23:43too people started whispering that julian's family really did hate his racing that i had been trying
00:23:47too hard tonight i'm sorry i didn't know you'd take it that way i came here by myself i didn't
00:23:54think it
00:23:54would upset you upset me you stood in front of everyone and told julian how amazing he was you wanted
00:24:01him
00:24:01to think you understand him better than i do i'm not trying to take him from anyone i just think
00:24:07he's really good at what he does how dare you say that
00:24:16no i don't think you're right
00:24:20julian has real talent he's the best driver i've ever seen
00:24:24he's my hero something raw broke open behind his eyes not gratitude the look of someone who had hidden
00:24:29part of himself for too long and finally had someone call it beautiful you little bitch enough
00:24:38chloe's raised hand froze in the air she stared at julian in disbelief as he strode toward us
00:24:42his whole body carrying a cold brutal anger he stopped in front of me and blocked me from her
00:24:46completely julian are you seriously yelling at me over her she's the one throwing herself at you
00:24:52i said stop are you deaf his eyes fell on my face then on the red mark across my cheek
00:24:58does it hurt i'm fine don't blame chloe she only got upset because she cares about you so much can
00:25:06we
00:25:06just leave julian you're going to regret this she's been playing you from the start i buried my face
00:25:13against julian's chest his heart was pounding so hard i could feel it against my cheek
00:25:20once the race wrapped up i changed my clothes but julian just had to drag me straight to the school
00:25:26infirmary the nurse's office was empty and quiet the sharp smell of antiseptic hung in the air but it
00:25:33couldn't cover julian's scent sweat heat and that clean woody cologne all mixed with the rush of the
00:25:39race he sent me on the examination bed like i might break the nurse was gone only two pale lights
00:25:45buzzed
00:25:46overhead julian opened the supply cabinet and searched for an ice pack the same hands that could handle a
00:25:51race car at full speed we're shaking now sit still this is going to be cold the moment the ice
00:25:57pack
00:25:58touched my cheek i hissed softly and leaned toward him without thinking my chest brushed against his
00:26:06my dress had slipped off one shoulder leaving my collarbone bare under the harsh light julian stopped
00:26:12breathing his gaze dropped from my swollen cheek to my shoulder then lower for half a second before he
00:26:19forced it back up but it was too late the air between us had changed i looked up at him
00:26:24with wet eyes
00:26:25and let my voice turn small thank you julian no one has ever stood up for me like that before
00:26:46if you don't look at me like that i am already losing my mind
00:26:57julian's hands slid up my bare back hot against my skin
00:27:03the cold room and the heat of his body hit me at the same time making me shiver as my
00:27:08arms tightened
00:27:09around his neck that cold untouchable face of his was gone he stared at my lips like he had been
00:27:15holding back for too long his jaw tight his breathing rough tell me the truth ivy you still feel something
00:27:21for me i know you do i didn't answer i only looked up at him with red wet eyes
00:27:32that was enough julian broke his mouth came down on mine hard and hungry
00:27:39there was nothing gentle about it it was messy desperate and full of the kind of want he had been
00:27:44trying to deny for too long his racing jacket slipped from his shoulders my dress loosened in
00:27:52the struggle and one strap slid down my arm under the cold white lights the room felt hotter and
00:27:59smaller with every second his hand gripped my waist my back hit the bed his body pressed over mine
00:28:05heavy and shaking with restraint like he was one breath away from crossing a line he could never take
00:28:13back and the door slammed open chloe stood there hair messy face twisted with shock and rage julian what
00:28:23the hell are you doing have you lost your mind sorry chloe i'm so sorry it's not what it looks
00:28:29like
00:28:30this is my fault i should have pushed him away
00:28:35chloe had come here to catch me but all she caught was julian wanting me so badly he could barely
00:28:41stand
00:28:41it the chaos in the infirmary finally ended with julian's brutal warning chloe was so scared by his
00:28:50cold stare that she did not dare push any further i played along trembling like i had been frightened out
00:28:56of my mind then went back to the dorm the next morning the system gave me an unexpected update
00:29:02system alert chloe's resentment is maxed out the plot has shifted second male lead adrian vale is
00:29:09entering early adrian vale heir to a top family from the capital unlike julian the bright reckless
00:29:16quarterback adrian was old money to the bone polished on the outside rotten underneath the first time i saw
00:29:24him he was in westbridge's board of trustees honor room dressed in a flawless gray three-piece suit and
00:29:31gold rimmed glasses casually flipping through a stack of documents i lowered my head and clutched my
00:29:39new textbooks in the oversized uniform the original owner's timid little face looked even smaller and more
00:29:48fragile so you're ivy lane the girl who made the kingsley air turn his back on the
00:29:55winters family he slowly looked up behind his lenses those cold snake-like eyes dragged over me from head
00:30:03to toe with a mocking half smile on his lips that look was sharp enough to cut through my innocent
00:30:09act
00:30:10but i had spent ten years coaching girls in manhattan's social circles when it came to acting i had never
00:30:17lost my goal is simple survive and finish the system's mission the moment he spoke i flinched back half a
00:30:26step my fingers picked nervously at my backpack strap and my eyes reddened as i looked at him
00:30:36adrian i don't know what you mean julian and i are just classmates please don't joke about
00:30:46seeing how scared i looked adrian did not drop his probing stare instead he gave a low chuckle and rose
00:30:53from behind the desk at his own lazy pace his polished leather shoes clicked closer step by step
00:31:00until he had me trapped against the corner of the mahogany cabinet he smelled faintly of absometh and
00:31:06expensive cigars carrying the untouchable arrogance of a man who looked down on everyone just classmates
00:31:13do classmates wire each other ten thousand dollars do classmates cuddle up together at a racetrack in the
00:31:20middle of the night his long fingers reached out cold against my skin and tipped up my chin as if
00:31:26he
00:31:26were issuing a challenge i was forced to meet his eyes
00:31:32we were so close that i could see the icy gleam behind those gold frames danger filled the air and
00:31:40that near physical pressure made my heart skip at exactly the right moment it hurts adrian please let me
00:31:49go you're hurting me i bit my lower lip tears gathering fast my wet dew eyes filled with helplessness
00:31:58and pleading this innocent little face was made for looking pitiful when his gaze landed on the red mark
00:32:04he had left on my chin something dark and heated flashed in his eyes it was the cruel hunger of
00:32:10a man
00:32:11who wanted to ruin something beautiful what a face it almost asks to be destroyed no wonder
00:32:17julian threw away his fiancee for you
00:32:22his rough thumb brushed across my lips again sending a hot sting through me before he could do anything else
00:32:31the honor room door flew open with a violent kick adrian get your filthy hands off her julian stood in
00:32:39the doorway his face rigid with rage like he was one breath away from exploding
00:32:46julian's arrival made the room feel freezing he stormed over shoved adrian aside and yanked me behind
00:32:53him his tall muscular body was tense as iron shielding me completely his eyes burned as he glared at adrian
00:32:59adrian i warned you at westbrook what i say goes
00:33:07ivy is mine keep your eyes off her facing all that fury adrian only pulled pulled a handkerchief from
00:33:16his suit pocket and slowly wiped the fingers that had touched my lips his smile was elegant and deliberately
00:33:23insulting yours kingsley last i checked the winter's airness is your fiance
00:33:33and ivy has never agreed to belong to you has she
00:33:36the two heirs both over six feet tall faced each other in the small honor room possessiveness and
00:33:43rivalry cracked between them until it was hard to breathe i hid behind julian's broad back trembling
00:33:49as i clutched the hem of his uniform jacket my doe eyes showed fear and helplessness but inside i was
00:33:55thrilled male rivalry had to be planted early the two golden boys of westbridge fighting over me meant my
00:34:01plot fund would arrive even faster julian adrian was only asking me for directions please don't fight
00:34:09because of me this is all my fault the more innocence i acted the more julian's possessiveness spiraled
00:34:17he grabbed my slim wrist and glared at adrian through clenched teeth
00:34:22we're leaving stay away from this manhattan trash
00:34:29over the next two weeks westbridge's atmosphere turned bizarre julian and adrian competed in everything
00:34:35from the football field to the finance simulations the tension between them felt ready to set the whole
00:34:41school on fire after being shut down again and again chloe finally teamed up with the board of trustees
00:34:47at westbridge's centennial gala she laid a bigger trap for me that night the lights were dazzling
00:34:53every powerful parent and ivy lee professor connected to the school had gathered chloe wore
00:34:58an outrageously flashy custom gown her arm hooked through chairman kingsley's smiling like a victorious
00:35:04queen and me i only had a plane faded dress from the original owner's closet i stood in the corner
00:35:11thin and fragile like a little white flower shivering in the cold everyone come look this is ivy westbriggs
00:35:19famous little genius julian even cut ties with the winters family for her chloe raised her wine glass
00:35:26and lifted her voice on purpose in front of several expensively dressed society wives her tone dripped with
00:35:32contempt the wealthy women looked me up and down with open scorn some even began whispering that i was an
00:35:38ill-bred little seductress i lowered my head and twisted my fingers together tears misted over my eyes almost instantly
00:35:47anyone who saw me would think i was a poor girl being bullied until she could barely stand
00:35:53i'm sorry miss winters if my being here upsets everyone i'll leave right now
00:36:01before i could turn away two tall figures strode toward me from opposite ends of the hall
00:36:07who gave you the right to talk to her like that miss winters is this what your family calls class
00:36:13on
00:36:13wall street julian and adrian reached my side almost at the same time julian wore a black designer suit
00:36:18wild and defiant adrian wore a crisp vintage coat refined and cold the two boys who ruled westbridge
00:36:25stood on either side of me shielding my fragile crying self in the middle in that instant every powerful
00:36:31eye in the room turned toward us and chloe's smile froze father this is the girl i want to marry
00:36:37her or no one julian pushed through the crowd and gripped my cold hand right in front of chairman
00:36:42kingsley's stony face he said each word like a final decision beside us adrian gave a cool low laugh he
00:36:50pushed up his glasses and boldly slid his hand around my slim waist deliberately pulling me toward him
00:36:55chairman kingsley your son has good taste shame he is a little late starting tomorrow ivy will be the
00:37:02sole recipient of the veil family's independent ivy league fund his palm was burning hot even through
00:37:07the thin fabric of my dress the pressure carried an aggressive flirtatious edge in front of the school's
00:37:12elite these two men tore off their polished masks over a girl from an ordinary family caught between two
00:37:16solid burning bodies i let tears gather in my doe eyes like a lost little lamb trapped in a storm
00:37:23the gala ended in chaos chairman kingsley stormed off and chloe broke down in tears
00:37:29but i knew the real storm had only just begun the next evening right after study hall i had barely
00:37:36walked out of the library when two black maybox pulled up and blocked my path the doors opened and
00:37:42mrs kingsley's personal assistant stepped out with a cold face
00:37:48i lowered my head obediently my doe eyes full of timid fear and got into the car without resisting
00:37:54it drove off and finally stopped outside a private suite at westbridge's most exclusive club inside
00:38:01mrs kingsley and mrs winters sat side by side chloe sat in the seat of honor her red rimmed eyes
00:38:05cold
00:38:06as a snake ready to strike miss lane name your price how much will it take for you to leave
00:38:10westbridge
00:38:11and stay away from julian forever mrs kingsley did not even look at me she only lifted her coffee cup
00:38:16with practiced elegance her voice full of icy disdain this was how old money families humiliated
00:38:21common girls the original owner had endured it countless times until she finally gave up and took
00:38:26her own life i stood cowering in the middle of the red carpet my cheap uniform clashing with all the
00:38:31luxury around me i took a deep breath and tears streamed down my face my voice cracked like a violin
00:38:37string about to snap i cried beautifully fragile beyond words inside i was frantically counting the
00:38:51minutes according to the original story this was exactly when julian finished training realized i was
00:38:57missing and started tearing the world apart to find me mother what the hell are you doing with a
00:39:05furious roar the carved doors of the suite were kicked open julian burst in drenched in sweat his
00:39:11uniform zipper only halfway up radiating raw fury the second he saw me standing alone in the middle of
00:39:17the room covering my face and trembling as i cried his beautiful dark eyes went completely red i swore it
00:39:22anyone who hurts ivy again loses me i don't care who it is ignoring mrs kingsley's ugly expression
00:39:29he strode over and pulled my helpless self hard into his broad chest his body shook with anger and his
00:39:36hand gripped the small of my back so tightly it felt like he wanted to press me into his bones
00:39:41the
00:39:41warm sweaty scent of a young man wrapped around me this possessive reckless favoritism shown right in
00:39:47front of both family matriarchs left all three women frozen julian did she drug you look at that fake
00:39:53little face she has been acting this whole time chloe screamed and pointed at me jealousy almost
00:39:58turning poisonous i flinched deeper into julian's chest my small hands clutching his soaked shirt
00:40:05as my tears spread across the fabric julian please don't fight with your mother because of me this is
00:40:12all my fault i don't deserve you i'll apply to withdraw tomorrow please don't become a disgrace to your
00:40:20family because of me the more understanding and self-sacrificing i sounded the deeper julian sank
00:40:26into guilt and love he lowered his head and pressed his lips hard to my forehead his voice hoarse
00:40:35shut up ivy in this whole world you're the only person who could ever make me turn back
00:40:43julian's threat to go on a hunger strike and renounce his inheritance was the final straw
00:40:47the pressure on mrs kingsley finally reached its breaking point to calm their furious young air
00:40:53both families had no choice but to back off for now but chloe clearly refused to let it go a
00:40:58week
00:40:58later during the school-wide fitness exam she bribed a few mean girls on the 800 meter track
00:41:05at the blind corner they shoved me hard off the track while i was running
00:41:09the original owner's fragile body crashed heavily onto the running track and blood instantly poured from
00:41:14my right knee oops sorry my foot slipped listening sharp mockery i sat on the ground and stared at the
00:41:21blood on my knee i did not get angry simply let my eyes turn red and weak because at the
00:41:25far end of
00:41:26the track i could clearly see juliet freshly changed and adrian walking over with a bottle of water
00:41:33ivy damn it who did this in front of the whole school's stunned whispers he scooped my bloody fragile
00:41:37self straight into his arms beside him adrian's face darkened behind his glasses his eyes were cold and
00:41:43deep he crushed the water bottle in his hand then reached out and gripped my injured ankle a little
00:41:47too boldly his touch was gentle but the possessiveness in his eyes was terrifying my patience is running out
00:41:54this school is starting to bore me he spoke before julian could his voice icy kingsley if you
00:42:00can't protect her the vale family will westbrook's best private doctor is already waiting hand her over
00:42:12in the end julian used his first love advantage and carried me into the infirmary julian laid me on
00:42:20the bed the nurse left to get medicine and then it was just the two of us
00:42:26the innocent puppy's eyes actually reddened and his voice turned hoarse and broken
00:42:32i'm sorry ivy i let you get hurt again every time you're near me you end up bleeding it doesn't
00:42:38hurt julian as long as i can see you nothing hurts don't blame yourself i fell on my own
00:42:48my fragile sweet comfort became the deadliest temptation in that dim little room he reached
00:42:55out with a trembling hand his cold fingertips slid up from my ankle wrong and reckless until they
00:43:01stopped on the smooth skin of my inner thigh and gripped with startling force that sharp clash of cold
00:43:07and heat drove the room straight to the boiling point do you have any idea what you do to me
00:43:13every night i close my eyes i see you at that racetrack you're driving me insane his voice came out
00:43:20low
00:43:20and hoarse his tall body suddenly pressed down trapping me between his arm and the headboard
00:43:28julian's lips crashed onto mine with frantic heat this was not the shy testing of a campus prince
00:43:35this was raw hunger restrained for too long and finally breaking loose
00:43:40the feeling of standing right at the edge made my scalp prickle but just as he was about to lose
00:43:46control the frosted glass door still half open was pushed kingsley getting worked up over an injured
00:43:53girl in the school infirmatory is that the best breeding your family can show
00:44:01i screamed right on cue like a startled little rabbit and yanked the blanket up around myself
00:44:06tears burst out in two seconds don't look please don't look i'm sorry adrian
00:44:12this is my fault i didn't push julian away please don't fight over me i sobbed until my whole body
00:44:18shook playing the innocent victim to the bone adrian are you looking to die who lets you in here
00:44:27the air in the infirmary tightened to the breaking point as if one spark could set off an explosion
00:44:32julian's fingers dug into adrian's collar until his knuckles turned white adrian did not even frown
00:44:38he only lifted his hand with open disgust and peeled julian's fingers off his designer suit
00:44:44one by one let go kingsley no one in this school gets to put their hands on me he pulled
00:44:49a handkerchief
00:44:50from his pocket and wiped his hand with contempt then he walked past the furious julian straight to
00:44:55my bed he bent slightly his long fingers moving to unmistakable dominance and reached through the
00:45:00blanket to grip my injured ankle the pressure was heavy carrying the control of a man used to standing
00:45:04above everyone else behind those gold glasses his snake-like eyes studied my tear-streaked face
00:45:09with amusement ivy don't be scared a brute who only knows how to use force can't protect you
00:45:14starting tomorrow i'll have the family lawyers study whatever the winton's family owes you i'll
00:45:18make them pay back double every word reduced julian to a useless brute while adrian cast himself as the
00:45:24powerful savior who could control everything i shrank back toward the headboard my eyes red and full
00:45:29of awe and fear at that kind of power the original owner's timid easy to control look became perfect
00:45:34fuel for two men's competitive instincts adrian do i look dead to you julian roared and completely lost
00:45:40control he charged forward and slammed a heavy fist straight into adrian's polished rotten face the gold
00:45:46glasses flew off and shattered across the tile floor that punch landed hard adrian's face snapped to
00:45:53the side and blood quickly seeped from the corner of his mouth but as the sole heir of an old
00:45:57money family from the capital adrian had never been someone people could push around he pressed
00:46:01his tongue against his reddened cheek and the cold cruelty in his eyes reached its peak kingsley
00:46:06you asked for this the next second he shrugged off his tight suit jacket and drove a hard punch into
00:46:11julian's jaw the two boys both over six feet and untouchable at school fought in the cramped infirmary
00:46:16like wild beasts fighting over territory the heavy thuds of fists hitting flesh exploded one after
00:46:21another in the sealed room the medicine cabinet crashed to the floor and glass bottles shattered everywhere
00:46:25i curled up in the corner of the bed wrapped tightly in the blanket tears streaming down my
00:46:29face as i begged them to stop inside i was overjoyed stop it please stop fighting over me if you
00:46:34need
00:46:34someone to blame blame me i'm the one who ruined you both i cried like a fallen flower playing the
00:46:39guilty little seductress perfectly i had to admit watching two top tier boys one pure and one refined
00:46:45but rotten beat each other bloody over me you felt damn good soon school security and the dean rushed in
00:46:51and barely managed to drag the two bloodied boys apart things had finally blown up beyond control
00:46:58both families flew to westbridge's board office overnight on private jets late that night the
00:47:05board office at westbridge felt as heavy as the sea before a once in a century storm
00:47:09fine beads of sweat covered the principal's forehead as he shakily poured tea for the powerful figures on
00:47:15the sofa chairman kingsley's face was grim and mrs kingsley stood behind him with her shawl pulled
00:47:21tight on the other side adrian's father president vale leaned back elegantly in his chair his unreadable
00:47:28eyes studying me sharply from behind his glasses the two boys stood side by side in the center of the
00:47:34office both bruised julian's shirt was torn open and his lip was split but his eyes stayed locked on me
00:47:40adrian's temple was swollen with blood at the corner of his mouth yet he still sneered at julian
00:47:46you fought like street tugs at school or a girl with no background and a messy reputation
00:47:53you dragged both families through the mud is this what you call good breeding the pressure from these
00:47:59powerful men crashed down like a tidal wave chloe hid in mrs winter's arms watching me stand trial before both
00:48:06families and a vicious smug smile finally curved her lips everyone thought that i a nobody girl would
00:48:13be crushed and thrown out of westbridge that very night but under the judging eyes of every elite in
00:48:18the room i slowly wiped away that timid crying mask i walked forward at my own pace pulled out the
00:48:24chair
00:48:24at the mahogany table and sat down without hesitation i took a stack of documents from my bag and slapped
00:48:31them
00:48:31down in front of both families with a crisp snap there was the original owner's recent report card
00:48:36which ranked her in the top 10 of her grade several national competition awards and an
00:48:40application to a top overseas university already filled out and only waiting for a signature
00:48:47gentlemen there is no point wasting words on smart people
00:48:51i think it's time we talk about my withdrawal conversation
00:48:55i lifted my chin slightly there was no trace of fear left in my eyes
00:48:59only the clear calm logic of a top manhattan mentor
00:49:03my sudden shift through the tense office into silence chairman kingsley and president veil
00:49:07exchanged a glance and each saw the shock and caution in the other's eyes the girl their intel had
00:49:11described as timid and useless was now sitting at the negotiation table her presence almost strong
00:49:14enough to rival theirs chloe's mother slammed the table and shrieked i did not even look at her you
00:49:19shameless little fox how dare you try to shake down the chairman julian look at her greedy face i only
00:49:26tapped the ivy league application lightly with my fingertip and stared straight at chairman kingsley
00:49:30this is an extortion it's a clean trade you don't want your heir ruining his future over a woman
00:49:37and you definitely don't want word getting out damaging both family's stock prices and reputations
00:49:43on wall street in exchange the kingsley family pays fifty thousand dollars to fund my life
00:49:47overseas the veil family opens the door to a top school for me and pays another fifty thousand as
00:49:52academic compensation i leave westbridge stay away from them a hundred thousand dollars not a penny more
00:49:57not a penny less exactly enough to fill the last gap in my system mission and buy my freedom in
00:50:02this
00:50:02world behind me julian completely lost it he tried to lunge forward and tear the documents apart but
00:50:07three bodyguards pinned him down ivy i won't let you go what do you take me for some toy you
00:50:12can throw
00:50:12away for a hundred grand his eyes were bloodshot and the tears he had been holding back finally
00:50:16spilled over all his devotion all his protection was only a business deal to her with a price already
00:50:21set beside him adrian suddenly laughed he wiped the blood from his mouth with his hand and stared
00:50:27at me with amusement direct and smart enough to know your own price kingsley you lost your cheap
00:50:33first love never stood a chance against her ambition under the cold judgment of two top financial
00:50:39powers they deal came together with difficulty buttfist for them solving their air's weakness
00:50:43with a mere hundred thousand dollars was the smartest business decision by 10 that night both
00:50:48transfers arrived at record speed account received two transfers totaling one hundred thousand dollars in
00:50:53my mind the system's no see cha exploded into a full minute of celebration fireworks
00:50:58ding one hundred thousand dollars collected westbrook academy hell instance cleared free life unlocked
00:51:04the moment i got the money the last of the original owner's despair the night before i left westbrook g
00:51:11slipped a farewell letter faintly scented with my perfume into each boy's locker in julian's letter
00:51:16i wrote ivy letter julian you stand in the brightest lightened i once lived in the dark end i once
00:51:22lived in
00:51:22the dark gray stronger my quarterback in adrian's letter i wrote old money's rules are boring but
00:51:27you are a worthy hunter don't waste yourself in small place like westbrook on wall street's chest
00:51:32body would get lonely without a rival like you're leaving behind two rules that would drive them
00:51:36crazy for the rest of their lives for the rest of their lives just over two weeks later in a
00:51:39top
00:51:40floor apartmentees stood by the three in a silk robe champagne in hand looking down with a ticket
00:51:43to a brand new queen's light left i knew spoiled young masters far too well manhattan winters felt
00:51:49colder than any mountain road back at westbridge i stood by the floor to clear window of my penthouse
00:51:56swirling a crystal glass as neon bled through the darkness below
00:52:00the system mission was over but my relationship coaching studio had grown into something of its own
00:52:07half of new york's social elite had my number scored
00:52:12i thought my life had finally settled down
00:52:14then the doorbell rang i walked over in silk slippers and opened the door
00:52:22the hallway light hit my eyes first then i saw two faces i knew far too well julian stood there
00:52:30in a
00:52:30fitted black wool coat snow still melting on his shoulders his eyes were red and his gaze dropped
00:52:37straight to the bare slice of collarbone my loose robe had left exposed beside him adrian had both hands
00:52:44in his pockets his gold glasses were gone and the smile on his polished face looked almost cruel
00:52:51you really thought taking a hundred grand and running to manhattan would keep me away
00:52:57the wall street board is set miss lane without you on it the game is almost insulting the hallway filled
00:53:04with the kind of pressure only two men who wanted the same woman could create
00:53:11i stepped back just enough for my robe to further off one shoulder
00:53:15then let my eyes turn soft and startled how are you two even here together
00:53:22please i just got my life back
00:53:26don't do this
00:53:28the two rivals who had spent half a year trying to destroy each other
00:53:32were now standing side by side forcing their way into my space with the patience of men who had run
00:53:39out
00:53:40of patience
00:53:43the door slammed behind them julian had kicked it shut before i could even move
00:53:49he came at me fast cold air still clinging to his coat all possession and anger barely held back
00:53:57he grabbed my wrist and pressed me against the entryway cabinet his body trapping me completely
00:54:02you told me to come to manhattan and try again do you have any idea what the last six months
00:54:08were like for me
00:54:10his breathing was rough his mouth pressed against my neck and one hand locked around my waist
00:54:20the force of it pulled a soft sound out of me before i could stop it then adrian stepped in
00:54:26he crossed the room without rushing slid his fingers under julian's arm and caught my chin in the same
00:54:33smooth motion turning my face toward him kingsley this is her home try to behave and ivy
00:54:41those scholarships you've been using every one of them has a val signature on it
00:54:48two men over six feet tall both too close both refusing to back down
00:54:53i stood between them in a slipping robe with nowhere to retreat the air thick with wine snow and heat
00:55:00i blinked up at them looking as fragile as the moment needed me to look please stop fighting over
00:55:06me if i'm causing this much trouble just by being here i'll leave new york i'll leave new york
00:55:12tomorrow the more helpless i sounded the hotter munglia they burned manhattan morning light spilled
00:55:19across tangled gray sheets julian sat against the headboard with his shirt gone
00:55:26scratches across his chest that i had left there on purpose he stared at me like a man completely ruined
00:55:32and too far gone to care by the window adrian had already put himself together three-piece suit
00:55:38cufflings no wrinkles no invisible damage he watched me from behind his glasses with the controlled
00:55:45intensity of a man swallowing something he refused to name last night had not settled anything it had
00:55:52made them worse don't go to his office stay with me the entire kingsley trust portfolio in new york can
00:56:01be
00:56:01yours just stay money is the cheapest thing in manhattan ivy
00:56:08yale connections in a real seat on wall street only i can give you that two men who owned their
00:56:14own worlds
00:56:15now fighting for my attention like boys at a locked door and looked at them with red eyes biting my
00:56:21lip
00:56:21until it trembled julian adrian i don't want any of that i just want to live quietly in this little
00:56:29apartment please don't make me choose i'm scared the trick to reversing the power between two men
00:56:38like this is simple never give them the answer they came for stay close enough to reach small enough
00:56:46to protect and they will keep coming back on their own but peace in manhattan never lasts long
00:56:54chloe had spent the last six months using every contact she had
00:56:58to track all of us to new york the metropolitan museum charity grayla had all of manhattan's finest in one
00:57:06room
00:57:09i wore a simple white silk dress with no heavy makeup it was deliberate
00:57:15in a room full of couture and diamonds i looked almost too clean
00:57:20too pale too out of place exactly right julian and adrian stayed on either side of me all night
00:57:29barely taking their eyes off my bare shoulders
00:57:33halfway through the event chloe cut through the crowd everyone look westbridge famous honor
00:57:38student ivy she used a rooftop suicide stunt to cash out and now she's in manhattan playing both
00:57:44sides brave i'll give her that every socialette and airgress in the room turned to look and the
00:57:48whispers started at once i went pale my hands trembled my eyes filled slowly as if i was trying my
00:57:55hardest not to cry chloe that isn't true that money was an academic settlement approved by the two
00:58:01chairmans i never asked them for anything please not in front of all these people i cried like
00:58:09someone too tired to fight back my shoulders shook and my voice barely held together the people who had
00:58:16been judging me a second ago started going quiet chloe had not even finished smiling when julian moved
00:58:25he crossed the floor in three strides and pulled me hard against him
00:58:29every inch of him was wild and ready to snap chloe i warned you at westbrook anyone who comes after
00:58:37ivy comes through me did you forget his arm locked around my back leaving no room for anyone to
00:58:42misunderstand adrian came to my other side without hurry a cold smile already on his face he placed his
00:58:48hand over mine where i was grapping julian's lapple claiming the gesture without saying a word winters your
00:58:53family clearly did not learn much from its first fall by tomorrow morning the new york courts will
00:58:58have a defamation file with your name on it i'll make sure this city closes every door to you i
00:59:03leaned
00:59:03into julian's chest and made my voice soft julian adrian please this is a charity event don't make a scene
00:59:10over me i'm fine as long as you believe me nothing else matters i said every gentle selfless
00:59:15thing a girl like me was supposed to say over julian's shoulder my eyes met chloe's there was
00:59:21nothing helpless in my stare the gala broke up in the middle of a snowstorm julian did not ask where
00:59:30i wanted to go he drove like he was trying to outrun something then finally stopped at a dead-end
00:59:34stretch by the hudson how much longer are you going to play games with me you told me to come
00:59:39to manhattan
00:59:39and fight for you then i had to watch you lean into adrian right in front of me both hands
00:59:44pinned my wrists
00:59:44i was trapped between the seat and his chest surrounded by the heat and force of him he kissed
00:59:49me like six months of restraint had finally broken hard urgent and full of want there was nothing gentle
00:59:54in it only hunger that had waited too long i didn't fight him i let him pull at my collar
00:59:59and cried
01:00:00quietly as the car windows fogged in the dark julian listen to me i don't have feelings for adrian
01:00:07i stayed in new york because i thought you were done with me i thought you didn't want to find
01:00:11me
01:00:12the crack in my voice did exactly what i needed his fury faltered the rage in his eyes broke into
01:00:17something wounded julian's mouth was moving down my jaw when two sharp knocks hit the window kingsley
01:00:25pinning a crying girl against a car seat by the river is that your idea of devotion ivy the ivy
01:00:30fund signing closes tonight get out don't adrian don't blame julian i pulled my collar together with
01:00:37shaking hands eyes red looking helpless between them i chose to stay julian let go please don't ruin
01:00:45everything with the veil family because of me the more broken i sounded the more both of them bristled
01:00:50julian shoved the car door open and grabbed adrian by the collar the whole thing was seconds away from
01:00:55turning violent in the middle of a new york street inside the car i used the moment to wipe the
01:00:59corner of my mouth fix my collar and enjoy the quiet satisfaction of being exactly where i need it to
01:01:04be the weeks after that burned hot between them chloe cornered and doubt of real options finally made
01:01:13her worst move to destroy my reputation in new york she was thalas dofa high interest low and toby help
01:01:19from a wall street short selling group with a grudge against devil family with all that account
01:01:23information the original of i hate a left b in danforge sin natures chef analdance of millions
01:01:29in dirty money through me coaching studio in westbridge julian protected you in new york
01:01:37adrian covered for you let's see who saves you when the fbi comes by the next afternoon fbi
01:01:43investigators arrived at the studio accounts frozen media filings hit at the same time chinese american
01:01:49businesswoman linked to international money laundering scheme elite coaching studio suspected as front for
01:01:54cross-border fraud reporters filled the street below my apartment within the hour why are you doing
01:02:00this to me i didn't do anything chloe why won't you let it end beautiful ruined helpless inside i was
01:02:10watching the clock old money families move fast when their names are on the line in this part of the
01:02:14wall
01:02:14street board had just become interesting two matt black maybachs cut through the press like the crowd
01:02:24did not exist security and black sealed the building in under a minute then julian and adrian
01:02:28came through my door one after the other both carrying the kind of fury that made the room go still
01:02:33touch her and i'll end every one of you
01:02:38the media blackout is already signed anyone who publishes a single photo will watch the financial group
01:02:43behind them disappear before markets open
01:02:54julian pulled me into his arms before the door had fully closed
01:02:58his hand pressed hard against my back as if he could hold the whole world away by force ivy
01:03:05i've got you i'll throw every kingsley trust funded this if i have to no one touches you not one
01:03:10inch
01:03:11his heat wrapped around me beside us adrian picked up the fbi order from the table and tore it in
01:03:17half
01:03:18without looking at it i've already found everything the winters family hid in the caimans
01:03:24by tonight chloe will be on her knees apologizing to you i'll make sure of it
01:03:30two families moved at the same time and the wall street crisis was over within 24 hours chloe's final
01:03:36move had not destroyed me it had given the veil family a reason to swallow the winters group whole
01:03:41when it was over the three of us ended up at dinner on a private yacht the sea wind was
01:03:45warm and constant
01:03:45pressing my black silk slip dresses against every curve until the moonlight made it look almost
01:03:50indecent julian had drunk too much he pulled me into the yacht's private lounge without asking and pushed
01:03:55me down onto the silk couch with his own weight his shirt was open at the collar and he smelled
01:04:00strongly of
01:04:01kika ivy i would give up the entire slug inheritance for you how much longer are you going to make
01:04:06me
01:04:07suffer his mouth was hot and rough the room heated too fast just as his hand reached my strap and
01:04:14the
01:04:14line between teasing and surrender started to blur the glass door slid open adrian stood in the doorway
01:04:21with a wine glass his jacket slightly rumpled for once his expression held something deeper than
01:04:25coldness he stepped inside closed his fingers around my other wrist and spoke in a low rough voice
01:04:29kingsley being drunk doesn't give you the right to decide for her ivy tell me honestly who are you
01:04:35leaving with tonight two men caged me on the couch their uneven breathing filling the small room
01:04:40i tilted my head back tears ready to spill looking like a lamb lost in a storm inside the scales
01:04:48had
01:04:48finally begun to tip with the tension in that lounge tight enough to snap i knew the game that had
01:04:55started
01:04:56at westbridge and followed me to manhattan was finally ready for its last move i slowly sat up
01:05:02from the silk cushions and let everything drain from my face i pulled a jacket around my shoulders then
01:05:07let my eyes go red in three seconds filling them with the kind of despair that looks impossible to fake
01:05:15enough both of you at westbridge everyone made my life hell
01:05:22i came to new york because i thought i could start over i thought when you came to find me
01:05:27it meant
01:05:27you actually cared but what is this i'm still just the prize in your fight neither of you cares whether
01:05:35i'm okay you only care about who wins it landed exactly where i needed it to not just guilt but
01:05:41the
01:05:41kind that cuts into a proud man and stays there julian looked like he had been hit all that dangerous
01:05:46energy went still his hand reached toward me then stopped like he was afraid touching me would make
01:05:50it worse no ivy that's not it i'm terrified of losing you i swear that's all this is
01:06:02i love you
01:06:06adrian went quiet which was rarer and heavier than julian's outburst
01:06:12for once the man who calculated everything had no calculation ready the wine glass in his hand
01:06:19was held a little too tightly the perfect mask he wore better than anyone had cracked down the
01:06:24middle don't cry i push too hard i can admit that the winter's situation is over no one in manhattan
01:06:32will bother you again i made sure of it there they were two men who could move entire financial
01:06:37empires without breaking a sweat sitting in front of a few tears like defendants waiting for sentencing
01:06:41i let the last hair fall and watched it hit the silk of my dress then i stood slowly politely
01:06:48with
01:06:48exactly the right amount of distance thank you both of you for what you did tonight but i need time
01:06:53alone
01:06:54please go i walked to the balcony and stood with my back to them spine straight the picture of a
01:07:00girl
01:07:00who had been through too much to keep pretending for the first time since i had known them they did
01:07:05not fight they looked at each other once then left together without a word when the cabin door closed
01:07:13i wiped the last tear from my face picked up my wine and smiled out on the water with salt
01:07:19wind in my hair
01:07:20and manhattan glittering at the edge of the world that smile had nothing soft in it both of them had
01:07:25started learning to hold back for me this game had no suspense left with the winter's financial
01:07:32group dismantled on wall street chloe had nothing left except the kind of rage that stops thinking and
01:07:38starts acting the night before she was forced out of the country she used the last of a loan shark
01:07:43advance to hire a few addicts from a new york underground crew not for money not for leverage she
01:07:49wanted one thing only to destroy the face that had driven julian and adrian out of their minds
01:07:55midnight i had just finished an evening client session and stepped through the back door of
01:08:00my studio into the alley before my eyes adjusted to the dark several figures had already blocked the
01:08:05exit pretty girl someone paid good money for us to take care of you tonight cold wind cut down from
01:08:12the street the original ivy would have collapsed right there i let myself press against the brick wall
01:08:18and poured everything into looking exactly that scared please don't come closer i'll give you
01:08:24whatever you want just don't touch me i cried beautifully falling apart in all the right places
01:08:30my right hand hidden in my coat pocket quietly pressed the emergency shortcut on my phone julian's number
01:08:36six months of showing up everywhere and trying to outdo adrian and he still wanted to prove he could
01:08:41protect me better i left him this scene on purpose let him enjoy it the second a hand reached for
01:08:49my
01:08:50coat the alley entrance exploded with light and noise a black mustang tore through the garbage bins
01:08:56like they were paper engine screaming as it stopped at an angle that blocked the whole space
01:09:01the door flew open before the car had fully stopped julian stepped out with a racing wrench in
01:09:07one hand and murder in his eyes no thinking no talking just violence with a target
01:09:13what entered that alley was not the kingsley air or the westbridge quarterback it was something older
01:09:18and uglier pure territorial rage lit by six months of fear for one person i'm gonna take every one of
01:09:26you
01:09:26apart the fight was fast the sounds were ugly when it was over the men were on the ground and
01:09:33julian stood
01:09:34over them with blood on his hands and shirt breathing hard he dropped the wrench turned around and found me
01:09:42against the wall everything violent in him broke into panic ivy are you hurt i'm sorry i should have been
01:09:50faster he crossed the alley like he was the one who had been attacked and folded me into his arms
01:09:56one hand pressed against my back the warmth of him after the cold alley was almost too much
01:10:02sweat iron and something that felt dangerously like safety
01:10:10one dim streetlight hung overhead julian's heart slammed against my cheek the smell of him surrounded
01:10:14me blood heat and relief i gripped his open collar and cried into his chest like i had just survived
01:10:18something maybe part of me had julian i was so scared i thought i would never see you again tonight
01:10:26please don't leave me take me with you that was the last straw six months of restraint missing me and
01:10:32swallowing everything broke at once he pressed me back against the brick wall the low sound and kissed
01:10:35me like he was done being careful one hand braces above my head the other pulled my coat open and
01:10:39lifted me until my legs wrapped around him the alley was cold dark and completely wrong for this
01:10:46neither of us cared ivy you're mine i don't care where you run you are mine and that is not
01:10:56changing
01:10:57his hands were hot and rough the brick wall was cold against my back
01:11:03the contrast made both of us lose whatever civilized cold control we had left
01:11:12just as the alley blurred past any reasonable point with coats open and the cold forgotten
01:11:19red and blue lights flooded the entrance police lights then adrian walked through the flashing beams
01:11:24calm as ever holding a freshly signed document his eyes went to me first the marks on my collarbone my
01:11:29open
01:11:30coat and every sign of what had almost happened something moved across his face brief and sharp
01:11:36i miscalculated that's on me kingsling that the winter's situation is permanently closed
01:11:42as of tomorrow chloe no longer exists in new york his voice was as composed as always
01:11:48he crouched picked up the heel i had lost in the snow and set it quietly by my foot
01:11:56ivy your move was the winning one i'll give you that but the wall street seat stays open if he
01:12:02ever
01:12:02stops being worth your time the offer stands he straightened didn't look at julian and walked back
01:12:08into the snow the long black coat the measured pace the city swallowing him up it was an elegant exit
01:12:15and he knew it i pressed my face into julian's shoulder eyes wet the game that had started at
01:12:22westbrook and run all the way to new york had reached its end
01:12:30with adrian stepping back and chloe gone for good the mess that started at westbrook and followed us to
01:12:37manhattan finally reached its ending in the penthouse bedroom the heated floor made the room almost too
01:12:45warm julian knelt at the edge of the bed his suit jacket was long gone and his body still carried
01:12:53bruises from the last few weeks he held my cold hands between both of his and pressed them to his
01:13:01face
01:13:02like he was trying to memorize their warmth
01:13:08come back to westbrook with me ivy i handled everything with my father
01:13:12the kingsley name belongs to one person now julian i'm still scared
01:13:21what if i go back and everyone treats me the same way
01:13:25i don't belong in your world your family your name i was never built for that
01:13:31even now especially now you stay in the role until the very end
01:13:37the moment you stop being uncertain the hunger fades
01:13:41don't belong i'll sign over the entire kingsley portfolio tonight if that's what it takes
01:13:47ivy please
01:13:50stop sending me away the proud heir who had never begged anyone for anything had just placed every
01:13:56card he had in my hands this game had a winner and it was me
01:14:07when a man who has been holding himself back finally stops there is nothing restrained about
01:14:14what comes next julian had me off the bed and against the long day bed by the floor-to-ceiling
01:14:20window
01:14:21before i fully registered it
01:14:26my silk robe slipped away every bang behind us
01:14:32manhattan spread out below a hundred thousand lights burning beneath the glass
01:14:38while he kissed me like losing was no longer an option
01:14:45his mouth moved over my call of cone and shoulder leaving heat everywhere it touched
01:14:53every kiss felt like an argument for why he had refused to let me go
01:14:59say my name say you only want me say it
01:15:08the city glittered below us
01:15:21julian i called his name between broken breaths my arms locked around his neck
01:15:26playing the girl completely overwhelmed completely undone completely his
01:15:32eyes julian i love you please slow down i can't breathe
01:15:41the plea did not calm him it only made his grip tighten like he had waited too long to believe
01:15:48i was
01:15:48real in the end that was what the long game from westbrook to manhattan had built towards
01:15:55a man who had always been told to stay in control losing every bit of it because of me
01:16:08six months ago the original ivy had nearly died here because of chloe's rumors the bullying
01:16:14and the rooftop
01:16:20the whole school had watched her break
01:16:25i pushed my hair back from my face and showed them what manhattan had done to the girl they had
01:16:30thrown away
01:16:33let me make this clear starting today ivy is the only woman who carries the kingsley name anyone who
01:16:38opens their mouth about her should look at what happened to the wins family consider that your warning
01:16:53don't be too hard on them julian as long as i have you none of the past matters anymore
01:17:01don't be too hard on them