Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Ulterior Motives?
It took everything in Silas’s chest not to lash out at Martha and tell her to leave.
He knew if he showed too much anger, Ivy might think Martha’s words were right. He forced himself to smile stiffly and turned toward Ivy.
"She is only kidding," Silas said softly; on a closer look, though, his teeth were gritted.
Then he glanced at Martha and added with that same fake smile, "Right? I am saying the truth, right?"
Martha shook her head slowly, her eyes full of mockery. Then she turned toward Ivy.
"Your friend shouldn’t back down. Instead, she should fight back. She should punish that scumbag by making him kneel on the washboard for at least two hours. And not only that, every move of his should be under surveillance."
Her eyes slid to Silas with an impassive look.
"I understand you are very soft-hearted, Miss Ivy. Maybe you’re not very knowledgeable about how relationships work. But if you stay too pure and innocent, you will be completely eaten until not even your bones are left."
Ivy’s eyes widened. She turned and looked at Silas, her gaze sharp.
’So... this guy really fooled me. Martha would not say such things unless she saw something clearly. When Silas was coaxing me, I already felt something was wrong, but I could not put my finger on it. Now... it is confirmed. This guy needs to pay.’
It wasn’t like she was listening to Martha’s words blindly... it was just that she realized what was not sitting right with her.
Her fists clenched, and she thought of punishments silently.
Silas closed his eyes.
For the first time, regret stabbed his heart deeply.
’Why did I ever hire Patricia? No, why did I even meet her in the first place? What kind of stupid idea was this substitute lesson? I was a fool. A complete fool.’
Still, he opened his eyes and looked at Ivy, forcing a flattering tone into his voice.
"Maybe the boyfriend did go too far. Maybe he does need some punishment. But... ignoring him completely is too much. After all, it was the girlfriend who left first. The boyfriend even begged on his knees."
Martha’s eyes flickered in surprise. She pushed her glasses up.
’So he actually knelt and begged her not to leave? Very few guys could give up their dignity and go on their knees. Then this guy... maybe he does love her.’
But when she remembered the cold look he had given her earlier, her lips curled up in a smirk. She turned back to Ivy with a sweet smile.
"I only say these things for your own sake. But anyway, there are two people outside who want to meet you."
Ivy blinked, her thoughts snapping. "Two people? Who are they?"
Martha’s smile grew lighter.
"They said their names are Felix and Alana. As long as you know their names, you would definitely let them in."
Ivy’s whole mood brightened. The sourness in her chest melted away as she stood up quickly, her chair scraping.
"Where are they?"
Her eyes shone with excitement.
After all, Alana was an S-rank healer.
If Ivy could recruit her, then Silvy Base would no longer fear not having a hospital.
She knew that in the future, the most powerful bases would rise because of strong healers.
’If I have Alana, I can build a hospital. If I build a hospital, my base will stand above the others. I can rise. I can rule the apocalypse and protect those who matter to me and deal with those who hurt me.’
The joy was so big that she completely forgot about Silas.
Silas’s eyes darkened as he watched Martha.
’This woman... she knows exactly how to sway Ivy’s emotions. I must never cross her again.’
Martha, if she could hear his thoughts, would have only shrugged.
She did not expect Ivy to be so thrilled either. She only asked, "Shall I lead Felix and Alana inside?"
Ivy nodded quickly and sat back down. Martha left with light steps.
The moment the door closed, Silas reached for Ivy’s hand. He began to massage it gently, his face full of flattery.
"Ivy, I am sorry. I apologize for everything. For my stupid idea, for my behavior. As a punishment... I am willing to kneel on a washboard for as long as you want."
Ivy shook her head calmly and pulled her hand away. She looked at him with cool eyes.
"Since you are so capable of hiring substitutes, and you even had the idea of teaching me lessons... then why don’t you spend some time with your dear substitute?"
Silas froze, then shut his lips tight. He felt a sting in his heart. He looked at her seriously.
"I swear... in the future, I will never do such a stupid stunt again."
Ivy’s gaze stayed sharp, piercing him. Finally, she said, "Fine. I am willing to give you one more chance."
Silas’s heart leapt. He caught her hand again and kissed her cold fingers, his eyes filled with worship.
Ivy let him do it, then said with a soft but firm voice,
"In return, you will have to pamper me more. Listen to my words as if they were law. And... you cannot touch me for one week."
Silas agreed without hesitation to the first two conditions. But the last one... his heart almost bled dry.
’I only just tasted meat... and because of Martha, I now have to stay like a monk for seven days?! This is torture!’
Still, he forced a smile and nodded. "Alright. I will agree."
The door of the office was pushed open, and Alana perked up the moment she saw Ivy.
"So here you are. Hello Ivy. Oh? Silas is here too."
Silas gave a polite nod, and seeing Felix in tow, he asked with curiosity,
"You both... You know Ivy?"
Alana’s eyes flashed with gratefulness as she explained,
"We are here to thank Ivy. She saved the lives of our children."
Ivy’s expression remained neutral; however, her heart was filled with questions.
A few weeks had passed since that incident... so why were they here only now?
’They must have some ulterior motives.’