Leo had never been this upset. Not even when his father hid the truth about finding his mother from him.
But this delay in bringing Ivy back made him furious.
Leo had always been stubborn, but over time, that stubbornness had only grown stronger. It had become increasingly difficult for the staff to understand—or handle—his demands.
And when he had suddenly run away from the mansion earlier without informing anyone…
It only proved how serious he was.
"GO AWAY! I DON'T WANT ANYTHING! I WANT MOMMY!"
Leo grabbed his plushie and slammed it against the door, his small face flushed with anger as tears burned in his eyes.
Outside, Freda and Butler Rupert exchanged helpless looks.
Nothing was working.
Nothing at all.
But then a soft, almost teasing voice drifted from the other side of the door.
"Alright then… if Leo doesn't want to eat the pudding, I guess I'll just enjoy it by myself."
Leo froze.
For a second, he thought he had imagined it. But then his eyes widened.
Without another thought, his tiny legs rushed toward the door. He fumbled with the handle before yanking it open in a hurry—
"MOMMY—YOU CAME!"
He threw himself forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Ivy's legs as if afraid she might disappear again.
The sudden shift left Freda and Butler Rupert completely stunned.
Just moments ago, the young master had been throwing things, refusing to listen and now…
He had calmed down instantly.
Just from her voice.
Freda blinked in disbelief, while Rupert quietly let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
Ivy looked down at the boy clinging to her, her expression softening almost unconsciously.
"I did," she said gently. "But someone told me he doesn't want to eat anymore."
Leo immediately shook his head, tightening his grip on her.
"I do! I want to eat! I'll eat everything!" he said quickly, as if afraid she might leave again.
A faint smile touched Ivy's lips.
"Hmm… really?" she asked, her tone light. "But I heard someone say he didn't want anything."
Leo looked up at her, his eyes slightly teary but determined.
"That wasn't me," he said stubbornly. "That was… angry Leo."
For a moment everyone went silence. And then even Freda couldn't help but smile.
Ivy crouched down slightly, brushing his hair back.
"Then let's not let angry Leo win, okay?" she said softly. "Come on. Eat first."
Leo nodded eagerly, still holding onto her hand as if it were the most important thing in the world.
"I'll eat with you," he insisted.
"Alright," Ivy agreed.
As she led him toward the table, Leo didn't let go of her for even a second.
Behind them, Freda and Butler Rupert stood frozen for a moment longer.
"It seems… the young master has finally found his weakness." he quitely mumbered
And perhaps his comfort.
***
After meeting Ivy, Florine returned home and had just settled down when Nora, her daughter, stormed in angrily.
"Mom, why didn't you wait for me? You know I wanted to meet Mr. Emerson," she snapped, standing in front of her, fully dressed and clearly prepared to go out. Her eyes burned with frustration as she looked at her mother.
Florine rolled her eyes, removing her sunglasses with an irritated sigh.
"I didn't go to meet Xander Emerson," she said coldly. "It was Ivy. That girl suddenly decided to act bold. I had to remind her of her place."
The irritation in Florine's eyes was unmistakable. She still couldn't forget the way Ivy had looked at her—
Unflinching.
Fearless.
The same girl she used to crush under her palm had dared to meet her gaze without hesitation.
Nora blinked, her anger fading almost instantly as curiosity took over. She walked over and sat beside her mother.
"Ivy? What did she do now?" she asked.
Nora knew Ivy wasn't her biological sister—just a girl her father had chosen to take in.
Despite Florine's constant opposition, her father had insisted on raising Ivy, often prioritizing her over his own children.
Nora had hated him for that.
And that hatred had slowly turned into resentment toward Ivy.
But everything changed after their father's sudden death.
Ivy had been left completely at their mercy.
Florine treated her like a servant.
And Nora—
Nora made sure Ivy suffered.
Bullying her, hitting her, making her life miserable—it had all felt justified at the time.
Because Ivy never fought back.
Never complained.
Never resisted.
Like a silent, obedient cow, she worked tirelessly for them without uttering a single word in protest.
And yet hearing her mother speak of Ivy as if she had changed... confused her.
Nora glanced at Florine, who smirked coldly.
"She's trying to act smart," Florine said. "But I know exactly how to put her back in her place."
There was no way Florine would let Ivy slip out of her control now—not when their lives had improved so much, all thanks to Xander Emerson.
Ivy might have made her own plans in secret.
But Florine would make sure she wouldn't be the one enjoying the benefits.
"Anyway," Florine continued, glancing around, "where is your brother? He's not home yet?"
When Nora didn't respond, Florine already had her answer.
Her expression darkened with irritation.
"I swear, that useless boy better not be wasting money on gambling again," she muttered under her breath.
But deep down she knew that was one habit he would never change.
***
[Globe International]
Xander was in the middle of reviewing documents when Taylor walked in and informed him of Ivy's return to the mansion.
For a brief moment everything stopped.
The pen in his hand stilled and a faint glint flickered in his eyes.
Taylor noticed the shift instantly. But what puzzled him was the reason behind it.
Both of them knew why Xander wanted to keep Ivy close. And yet the expression on his boss's face right now… almost looked like amusement.
'D-did the boss just smiled!'
Taylor thought he misunderstood it, but when he looked closer, his jaw dropped.