Chapter 9

The evening sun cast a warm orange glow over the penthouse, and Ivy felt a growing sense of restlessness. She had spent the day cooped up inside, and the confinement was starting to get to her. Max, sensing her boredom, wagged his tail and whined softly, as if urging her to take action.

Ivy's eyes sparkled with mischief as she gazed at Max. "You know what, boy? I think we need a walk."

She quickly changed into her sneakers and grabbed Max's leash. As they made their way to the main entrance of the building, Ivy felt a thrill of excitement. She had been stuck inside for too long, and the prospect of fresh air and freedom was exhilarating.

But as they approached the entrance, Ivy's excitement was short-lived. Two burly guards stepped forward, their arms crossed and their faces stern.

"Ma'am, you're not allowed to go out," one of them growled.

Ivy's eyes narrowed. "What's your problem? I just want to go for a walk."

The guard's expression didn't budge. "This is a strict order from the boss. You're not allowed to leave the penthouse."

Ivy's anger flared. "What nonsense! Who does your boss think he is? I'm not a prisoner."

The guard's face remained impassive. "Sorry, ma'am. But you have to go back."

Ivy's face twisted in frustration. She glared at the guards, her eyes flashing with defiance. But she knew she was outnumbered. With a huff, she turned and stalked back to the penthouse, Max trotting faithfully by her side.

As they entered the penthouse, Ivy slammed the door shut behind her. She paced back and forth across the living room, her mind seething with resentment. Who did Victor think he was, trapping her like a bird in a gilded cage?

Max, sensing her distress, whined softly and nuzzled her hand. Ivy's anger slowly gave way to despair. She felt trapped, a prisoner in a life she didn't want.

As the darkness gathered outside, Ivy's thoughts turned to escape. She would find a way out of this prison, no matter what it took.

Ivy's slender fingers drummed a staccato beat on the armrest as she seethed with indignation. "What does that bastard think of himself?" she muttered, her voice low and venomous. "Imprisoning me in this house, with no one to talk to, no one to share my thoughts with. I need to talk with Julian.

Her gaze swept the room, searching for her mobile, but it was nowhere to be found. Her anger flared, fueled by the realization that her phone was missing. "That Liam, Victor's lapdog, must have taken it when we were on our way here. I remember dozing off for a bit, and now it's gone. Mean, cruel, heartless Victor. I hate you!"

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The hours ticked by, and Ivy's anger slowly gave way to boredom. Victor was still nowhere to be found, and the penthouse seemed to grow quieter, as if holding its breath in anticipation of his return. Ivy sighed, feeling restless and trapped.

That's when she spotted Max, who had been quietly observing her from across the room. His tail wagged tentatively, as if sensing her mood. Ivy's face softened, and she smiled, feeling a pang of affection for the loyal dog.

"Hey, Max," she said, beckoning him over. "Want to play?"

Max yelped with excitement, bounding towards her with his favorite toy, a tattered stuffed rabbit. Ivy laughed, feeling a sense of joy she hadn't experienced in days. Together, they played a game of catch, with Ivy tossing the toy across the room and Max leaping to catch it mid-air.

As they played, Ivy's tension melted away, replaced by a sense of freedom and release. She felt like herself again, unencumbered by the weight of Victor's rules and restrictions.

Eventually they collapsed on the couch, panting and giggling. Ivy snuggled up close to Max, feeling his warm fur and gentle breathing. She reached for the TV remote, flipping through channels until she found a rom-com that caught her eye.

As she watched, her eyelids began to droop, her head nodding forward. Max, sensing her relaxation, snuggled closer, his nose buried in her hair. Ivy's arms wrapped around him, holding him tight as she drifted off to sleep.

She didn't realize it, but she was hugging Max tightly, her face buried in his fur. The TV continued to play, the sounds of laughter and music filling the room, but Ivy was oblivious, lost in a deep, dreamless sleep. Max, sensing her tranquility, closed his eyes, his tail thumping softly against the couch, a gentle accompaniment to Ivy's peaceful slumber.

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The clock struck nine, and Victor stepped into the penthouse, his eyes scanning the dimly lit space. He was taken aback by the darkness, expecting the warm glow of lamps and the soft hum of conversation. Instead, the only sound was the faint murmur of the TV, casting an eerie light on the deserted room.

Maria had already left, leaving behind the tantalizing aroma of dinner, but Victor's stomach was too knotted to appreciate the culinary delights. His mind was preoccupied with the events of the day, and the silence of the penthouse only added to his unease.

As he moved further into the room, his gaze fell upon a sight that made his eyebrows rise in surprise. Ivy, the little Smith, was fast asleep on the couch, her arms wrapped tightly around Max, Ryder's pesky dog. Victor's lips curled into a wry smile, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Ryder left Max here again," he muttered to himself, "he knows I don't like dogs, and yet...this little Smith, it seems like they're enjoying each other's company very much."

Victor's eyes lingered on the unlikely pair, a pang of curiosity stirring within him. He had expected Ivy to be sulking, or plotting, or maybe even trying to escape. But this...this was something else entirely.

With a quiet chuckle, Victor turned off the TV, plunging the room into darkness. He stood there for a moment, watching Ivy and Max, his mind whirling with thoughts and questions. Then, with a soft sigh, he turned and made his way to his room, leaving the sleeping pair to their peaceful slumber.

As he closed the door behind him, Victor couldn't shake off the feeling that something had shifted, ever so slightly, in the dynamics of their little trio. And he couldn't help but wonder what the next day would bring.

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