Chapter 358
Standing Before Love
Leo remained silent as he mused, Director Tony wants to set up a flower shop, but doesnât want too many clients to know the address. I guess heâs doing this just to pamper Miss Myra. Although he was already used to seeing how Tony would dote on Myra, Leo couldnât help but exclaim mentally, since his past self would never have believed Tony was capable of such deeds toward a woman.
However, Leo quickly carried out Tonyâs orders, starting from finding a suitable shoplot. Myra knew nothing about it as she worked on arranging the flowers into another vase before bringing it out from the lounge, only to find that the atmosphere outside the lounge was different from when she left.
In fact, the atmosphere in Tonyâs office was slightly heavy. With a morose look, Tony held an almost hostile gaze in his narrow eyes. His features were stiff and serious when he tapped on the surface of the table with the index and middle finger of his left hand, which produced a series of light yet unnerving tapping noises. At the same time, his eyes were narrowed into slits as he stared forward dangerously.
Standing in front of him was a woman with a pale face. She was in a champagne-colored office wear that looked both formal and elegant. Her curls cascaded down her back, which gave her the allure of a mature woman. However, her body was stiff, and there was a hint of sorrow in her eyes. The woman was no stranger to Myra, as she was the director of the finance department, Ivy Jameson.
Perhaps because Tony noticed Myraâs presence, he seemed less gloomy. Nonetheless, he picked up the document in front of him before throwing it onto the table in front of Ivy. In an indifferent tone, he ordered, âRedo this report. From tomorrow onward, you will start working at Springdale City.â
âI wonât go to Springdale City!â Having noticed Myraâs presence, a hint of agony fleeted across Ivyâs gaze. Biting her lip, she continued to stare at the man in front of her stubbornly.
âMiss Jameson, this is the companyâs decision.â Tonyâs face fell, his eyes holding a look of dismay.
âIs this the companyâs decision, or is it yours?â Ivy gritted her teeth before continuing, âTony, are you transferring me because you canât change my mind? What are you afraid of? Is it because youâre worried that having me around might displease her?â
All of a sudden, Ivy pointed at Myra, who was startled by her movement. Her eyes reddened as she spoke. âAll I wish for is to be able to pursue you freely! Is that a crime? I didnât do anything to Miss Stark! Everybody has their freedom to love someone! I know you donât like me, but thatâs your problem!
You canât stop me from liking you! Besides, Myra isnât a good match for you! Tony, wonât you get someone else even if itâs not me? Do you know what those people outside are saying about you? They sayââ
âThatâs enough!â A chilly look enveloped his features as he glared at Ivy with his piercing eyes.
Standing up, he bellowed, âGet out!â
âI wonât!â Ivy finally mustered up enough courage, as she knew she would never have the chance to express her feelings again if she didnât do it now.
She had loved and waited for Tony for many years. Unlike Gemma, she would never resort to underhanded tactics, but she loved him as much as Gemma did. If it were up to her, she wished Tony would find another woman even if he didnât like her. She had no idea why he would even want someone who was a divorcee. To be honest, she didnât even get why Myra was considered better than her or any other woman.
âYou were the one who was constantly providing for her! What has she ever done for you? Tony, will someone like her still be around you when you hit a low in life?â Ivy was yelling at him with a hoarse voice.
Upon hearing that, Myra clenched one of her fists. Then, she walked up to Tony while holding the vase before setting it down on the corner of his desk. After that, she began tidying up the documents in front of him which were messed up during his outburst.
âI know youâve given her some of the shares of your company! On what basis does she deserve that?
The shares were accumulated through generations of hard work by the Hart Family! What has she done to deserve all that?â When Ivy witnessed what Myra was doing, she assumed Myra was just trying to make her look bad. All riled up, her face was red as she couldnât help but shout at the top of her lungs. However, nobody knew whether what she said was intended for Tony or Myra.
Tony wore a deep frown as he reached out to pull Myra into his arms, which she allowed him to. âOn what basis, you ask?â With a mirthless chuckle, he answered, âOn the basis that sheâs my fiancée, as well as the future wife of the director of this company! Would that suffice as a reason?â
Ivy was devastated by what she heard. Although she knew full well that Tony was in love with Myra, and that they would soon be married, she could still hardly accept it as the truth when she heard it from him. Staggering backward, she nearly drew blood as she dug her nails into the flesh of her palms.
âTony Hart! Donât you know what Iâve done for the company?!â
âWhich is why youâre now the finance director of our company,â Tony replied without emotion.
âFinance director? Did you really think thatâs what I want?â
âI donât care whether thatâs what you want or not. All I know is that that is all the company and I can provide.â Tony was wearing a stiff smile.
âThat is all you can provideâ¦â Without warning, Ivy burst into laughter until her tears rolled, staining her cheeks, which made her seem ghastly. After glancing at Myra and then at Tony, she walked up to them without hesitation before stopping in front of Tony, or rather, in front of Myra. âMiss Stark, tell me why do you like him? Just a few months ago, you were married to Sean Chase, whom you loved deeply. You even cut ties with your family in order to marry him, so why would you fall in love with Tony all of a sudden? Donât you dare make up any fancy lies to deceive me!â Ivy stared at her intently.
Upon noticing that Tony was about to speak up for herself against Ivy, Myra squeezed his hand with her own hand that he was holding, which brought a frown to his face. Then, she stated matter-of-factly, âI know you donât think Iâm a good match for Tony. You even doubt my feelings for him.â
As Myra spoke, Ivy glared at her as if indicating that she would make Myra pay dearly if she lied.
However, Myra didnât seem to care as she wore a nonchalant smile. âI know that there are things that you will never believe in no matter how I phrase them. And I never thought of giving you any promise or explanation. My relationship with Tony only has to do with us. If we like each other, we donât care how people perceive us. Because I like him, and I know he likes me, I will never give up on our relationship.
Will you give up if you were in my shoes?â
Ivy choked on her own words upon hearing what Myra said. Begrudgingly, she glared at Tony. âI will never go to Springdale City! As I said, the fact that I like you has nothing to do with anybody else but myself! As long as you and Myra havenât married each other, I will never give up!â
âSuit yourself,â Tony uttered mockingly before dialing the internal landline. âLeo, take Miss Jameson away. Her presence is unwelcomed.â
Upon hearing that, Ivyâs countenance shifted drastically. Soon, the door of the office was opened, and Leo entered with a blank look on his face while looking at Ivy. âLetâs go.â
Ivy looked hurt. Seeing that she wasnât about to leave, Leo reached out to drag her away. He held her in a tight grip, so her wrist was bruised when she cast his hand away as soon as they got out through the door.
âIvy, why canât you just accept the fact that the director doesnât like you romantically?â Leo grabbed her hand again when he noticed she tried to barge in again.