Chapter 189: Chapter 189: Where Is She? Ninth Space
Caleb Monroe furrowed his brow and said, "Whatever you have to say, come back and say it in front of your Aunt Jean, so everyone can understand what’s going on. If any of you dare to deceive me, I won’t forgive her lightly."
Jean Shaw and Michelle Monroe were right by Caleb Monroe’s side. Hearing Caleb talk like this, Jean felt her heart sink. What had that little brat Ivana Monroe said to Caleb?
Jean Shaw wasn’t afraid of Caleb Monroe calling Ivana back; she always had a way to make Caleb listen to her.
She had shared Caleb Monroe’s bed for so many years, not for nothing. She had mastered his temperament thoroughly.
Ivana was stunned for a moment, then sneered. If anyone dared to deceive him, hearing this from anyone, Ivana wouldn’t find it funny. But hearing it from Caleb, she found it utterly laughable.
Hadn’t Jean Shaw deceived Caleb Monroe enough?
What did he do? Time and again, he believed Jean Shaw, even when those lies were as fragile as a paper window, easily pierced. Yet Caleb still chose to believe without reservation.
Even when Jean Shaw’s lies were finally exposed, what did he do? He simply let it go.
Caleb Monroe’s idea of not forgiving had never applied to Jean Shaw or Michelle Monroe; it was only directed at her.
"I’ll go to Grandpa’s tomorrow evening to pick up Timmy. If you want to know what’s going on, come to Grandpa’s old residence tomorrow!" Ivana didn’t want to waste her breath with Caleb Monroe anymore; it was just a waste of spit.
If Caleb Monroe truly didn’t want to protect Jean Shaw, he could simply call Butler Chaucer, and wouldn’t everything be clearer?
But he didn’t do that, instead choosing to believe Jean Shaw and to call only to scold her, to make her come back and apologize to Jean Shaw. Could Ivana still rely on him to discern right from wrong?
Ivana hung up the phone after she finished speaking and then dialed Silas Joyce’s number.
Silas Joyce was organizing the files in his hand when the phone suddenly rang. Seeing the caller’s number, he was slightly startled, put down his work, and answered with a smile on his face.
"Silas, I wanted to consult you; how long does it usually take to auction a villa?"
"Normally about two months. What’s up? Planning to auction a villa, have economic issues...? I can..."
"It’s not my villa; it’s my grandfather’s villa."
A bit of disappointment showed on Silas’s face. He wanted Ivana to have economic difficulties, so he could extend a helping hand and bridge the gap between them, but it seemed Ivana wasn’t giving him the chance!
"Caleb Monroe’s villa? Why does he want to auction it?" Silas was suddenly curious; older people tend to be nostalgic. A house lived in for most of one’s life wouldn’t usually be sold unless faced with a major financial difficulty.
Ivana explained the situation to Silas; though family scandals are typically kept quiet, Silas’s identity as a lawyer meant he was being consulted for the auction and donation plans. He needed to know about the family’s messy affairs.
Silas wasn’t too surprised after hearing. Family scandals over property claims were common for him.
"I see; you and Caleb’s decision is right." He had four children–two sons and two daughters. The second son had a grandson. In such families, no matter how Caleb distributed the assets, conflicts would arise with at least one child feeling slighted.
It might be better to donate everything all at once.
Even though the four children might be infuriated, once Caleb had no assets, there’d be nothing left to fight over, at most they’d be angry, ignoring him when he was destitute.
Caleb might find some peace in his later years and possibly live a bit longer.
"The auction and donation work might trouble you again, Silas," Ivana said.
"No trouble at all; I’m a lawyer, after all. It’s an honor to assist you."
Silas waited for her to hang up before putting down the phone. He handed his materials to his assistant Chase, and cheerfully said, "Postpone all my upcoming matters, for those we can’t postpone, I’ll compensate according to contract."
Chase: "..."
What happened? Just a phone call, and all of Silas Joyce’s trials, that he was not going to handle? Not even willing to take compensation for them?
Chase concernedly said, "Boss, isn’t this a bit reckless? You’re a top lawyer; doing this might damage your reputation."
Silas was totally unconcerned: "Let it be damaged; nothing is more important than Ivana."
~~
Around seven in the evening.
Ivana was at home when she received a call from Ivy Linden. Answering, there was a chaotic sound on the line; it wasn’t Ivy calling but an unfamiliar man’s voice.
"Hello, are you the idol goddess?"
Idol goddess? What nonsense?
"Who are you? Where’s Ivy? Give the phone to Ivy, I need to talk to her." The voice seemed to be from an establishment like a bar. Ivana was suddenly worried; Ivy was a gentle, good girl. How could she have gone alone to such a wild place?
"Ivy? Oh~ you mean this lady who’s drunk? She drank a lot; I asked her something and she kept talking about idol goddess. So I used her phone to dial your number. Please come over fast! She’s a lady, very pretty, drunk alone here—it’s not safe."
"Where is she?" Ivana’s heart raced uneasily; what had Ivy gotten into? Running off to a bar to drown herself?
"Ninth Space," the other party gave the address.
"Please, make sure to watch over her until I get there," Ivana paused and added, "I’ll give you some reward money."
"Okay, don’t worry! I’ll look out for her, and won’t let any men take advantage," the person promised.
Ivana quickly left home, caught a cab heading to "Ninth Space."
When Ivana arrived, Ivy Linden was slumped over the bar’s counter, and a handsome bartender stood beside her, mixing drinks deftly while watching the drunken Ivy Linden.
"Ivy..." Ivana immediately spotted Ivy. Tonight, she wore the fashion piece Ivana had given her, which hadn’t hit the market yet.
The bartender, looking at Ivana as she approached, couldn’t help but be captivated by her exquisite features—absolutely stunning! Truly deserving the title "idol goddess," putting many TV actresses to shame.
He thought, with such a face, she could start a career and immediately rise to fame.
Ivy Linden heard a familiar calling voice, raised her intoxicated face, and saw Ivana. She rubbed her eyes: "Did I see that right? Idol goddess?"
Ivana saw Ivy’s face flushed from drinking, eyes dreamy and unclear, and frowned: "Why are you here drinking so much alone? I’ll take you back."