Chapter 359
Standing Before Love
âLet go of me!â With abandon, Ivy seemed resolute about whatever it was that she was going to do.
âLeo, you know how I feel! Sebastian already announced that their wedding will be held next month!
What should I do if that happens?â
As she went on, a look of grief shrouded her features. âHow could he treat me like that after I spent all those years chasing after him? Is my effort throughout the years all for naught?â
Leo didnât let go of her hand. There was a fleeting pain in his gaze when he noticed how hurt she was.
Regardless, he only stated aloofly, âThere never is a reason for things like this. Director Hart had always made himself clear, nor had he ever given you false hope. You know full well that he was the one who bestowed our positions in the company to us. Not anybody could just walk in and get to this position. We only had a chance because he gave us one. Have you forgotten how he helped you when you were bullied by your cousinâs family? Now that he will be getting married to Miss Stark, you should let go and give him your blessing.â
âLet go and give him my blessing?â Ivy froze on the spot before her whole body began trembling. âLet go and give him my blessing⦠Let go and give him my blessingâ¦â While repeating that single line, she wore a look of grief.
After spending all those years chasing after Tony, she couldnât possibly just let go and give him her blessing now. However, she also recognized that he transferred her away after she only bad-mouthed Myra a little. It was apparent that she had no place in his heart, whereas Myra managed to quickly steal all of his attention when she wasnât looking. He even disregarded their many years of friendship for Myraâs sake.
âLeo, canât you help me?â She wheeled around all of a sudden to look at Leo. Before that, he already led her to a nearby pantry, and also passed her a piece of tissue.
After taking the tissue from him, she stared at him with a maniacal gaze while holding his hand. âPlease help me! You have spent so many years working beside Tony, so he trusts you the most! All you need to do is pull a few tricks to drive a wedge between Tony and Myra, which will quickly grow into an irreconcilable difference. After all, they only knew each other for such a short while, so they wonât be able to tolerate each other as soon as they notice each otherâs flaws. Then, they will part ways!â
Ivy spoke as if sheâd found a way to salvage the situation. With bloodshot eyes, she held Leo in a death grip without a care in the world. âLeo, weâve been friends for so many years. Iâm sure youâll help me out, wonât you? Youâre the person who Tony trusts the most, so youâre the only one who can pull this off!â
While watching Ivy descend into madness, Leo pulled his lips into a thin line as a look of derision glinted in his eyes. âHuh, weâve been friends for so many years⦠Ivy, you flatter me.â
âSo will you help me or not?â She bit on her lip. Although Leo did nothing to indicate his feelings for Ivy, she knew all along that he fancied her. There was once when she accidentally saw a message that he wanted to send her. However, it was still in his draft box as he never sent it.
âI wonât help you.â When Leo noticed the drastic shift in Ivyâs countenance, he couldnât help but mock himself. There was a grimness in his eyes that looked like bottomless pits as he stared at Ivy. âEven if I neglect the fact that Director Hart truly loved Myra, I will never do something to betray him after working beside him for all these years! Ivy, you should be able to give him your blessing if you are indeed in love with him, and arenât looking to claim him as your possession.â
Ivy bit on her lips so hard that she almost drew blood, but she didnât even seem to notice. Great despair, helplessness, loathsomeness, and envy quickly ate away at her from the inside, leaving her in agony.
âNo! I wasnât trying to claim him for myself! You know nothing! What right does Myra have to stand beside Tony? Sheâs a useless wimp! She must have approached him deliberately! I heard Myra was fighting with her sister over family possessions, so she must be trying to use Tony! Someone like her doesnât deserve to marry Tony! It doesnât matter if Tony marries another woman, as long as it isnât Myra! Any random woman is a far better choice than Myra! Myraââ
Slap! Ivyâs head turned to the side after being slapped. Standing in front of her, Leo was wearing a morose look as the veins on his forehead pulsated. While staring at Ivy, who seemed to be distorted by rage and envy, he chided her in a hushed voice, âIvy, wake up!â
With a hand over her face, she turned around to look at Leo in disbelief. âLeo, you slapped me⦠Did you just⦠slap me?â Her feeble voice carried with it great agony and grief.
Leo had his hand that he used to slap her clenched into a tight fist. Although he wanted to pull the woman who was feeling most aggrieved into his arms, he managed to stop himself from doing so.
Softly, he apologized, âIâm sorry. I was just afraid that you might have gotten a little paranoid. Ivy, Myra doesnât need anything other than Director Hartâs love to be able to be with him. As long as she has that, nothing will pose a problem between them. You shouldnât be throwing all sorts of prerequisites into the mix when it comes to relationships, or else itâs no longer unconditional love.â
Upon hearing what he said, Ivy was momentarily stunned before falling into great despair. She shriveled like a withering plant as she hunched over. âI shouldnât be throwing all sorts of prerequisites into the mix when it comes to relationshipsâ¦â she muttered. Lifting her hands, she stared at her palms.
âNo wonder he never even looked my way even though I put in so much effort over the yearsâ¦â
She was shrouded by despair while wearing a blank look on her face. âOn the contrary, Myra could amuse him greatly with even the tiniest of gestures. He never showed that side of him to me, so Myra was the only one who has exclusive access to that side of him.â
Memories of the past gradually surfaced in her mind. No matter how hard sheâd tried to approach him, he was always just out of reach even when she thought she was getting so close to him. But it turned out that it wasnât because she didnât try hard enough; it was just that he didnât want to give her a chance.
To other people, her exuberant youth and her deep-rooted feelings meant nothing. She was the only one who treasured them. âI see⦠So Iâm a total failureâ¦â All of a sudden, she laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks while her body trembled vehemently.
While observing her vulnerable side, Leo couldnât help but step forth to hold her in his arms. He sounded sorry as he spoke in a hoarse voice. âIvy, donât be like this. There are so many other men in this whole wide world, so Director Hart isnât the only man available. As long as you look closely, thereâll be other men whoâll be able to bring you joy like how Director Hart made Miss Stark happy.â
âBut theyâre not Tony Hartâ¦â Seemingly exhausted, Ivy rested her chin on Leoâs shoulder as she mumbled with a blank stare.
Leoâs heart spasmed at the sight of it. Yeah, thereâs only one Tony Hart in the whole wide world. I might never be able to get to his level even if I spent my whole life working on my success. Despite so, I want to give her happiness.
âIvy, can you give me a chance? Iâve always liked you, as much as you liked Director Hart. I would like to make you happy so that you can live a cheerful and carefree life. Is that alright?â Speaking gently, he put both of his hands on her shoulder to put some distance between them before staring into her eyes.