It didn’t take much thought for Ivy to dismiss the idea that Jamison had spilled her secret. He’d known she was living here from the very start and had never breathed a word to anyone. There was no reason he’d tell Micah now.

So how on earth did Micah find out?

The more she thought about him possibly hiring someone to investigate her, the angrier she became. Fuming, Ivy spun on her heel and stormed downstairs.

In the living room, Katrina was busy trying to shove Micah out the door, but he stubbornly refused to leave.

“Ivy! Ivy, come down here – I know you’re home! I’m not leaving until I see you!” Micah shouted up the stairs, his voice echoing through the house.

At last, Ivy appeared at the top of the stairs.

Micah’s eyes widened with excitement. He brushed past Katrina without hesitation. “Ivy, you’re finally here.”

She was dressed casually – just a pale silk slip dress that floated around her, the sleeveless design leaving her neck and arms bare. Her skin was porcelain – smooth and almost luminous. Her delicate features and slender figure, that cool, aloof beauty – she was a far cry from the gaunt, washed-out girl who’d first come back to town.

Micah stared, taking in the transformation from head to toe, unable to hide his astonishment. He swallowed, suddenly struck by the realization: the famous Ivy, Neo Haven’s most sought-after socialite – the very woman who once captivated the city’s elite – was back.

“How did you find this place?” Ivy’s tone was icy, her expression even colder.

Micah looked away, just about to answer when his phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, hesitated, then to everyone’s surprise, simply declined the call.

Over at the hospital, Jamison’s face darkened when he saw the call rejected. The nerve of that kid. Without another word, he finished up his work, pulled off his lab coat, and strode out of the building.

Back in the spacious townhouse, Ivy was just as surprised to see Micah ignore the call. She could tell he was afraid of his uncle, even though Jamison was only a few years older. Micah was always careful and reserved in front of him. Yet today, he actually dared to hang up.

For some reason, Ivy had a strong feeling Jamison would show up soon.

“Micah, I asked you a question,” she pressed, her voice sharp. “How did you find this place?”

But Micah didn’t answer. Instead, he looked around the luxurious space. “This place must be worth at least four or five million. There’s no way you could afford it, not even to rent. Ivy, is someone keeping you?”

Katrina jumped in, furious. “Micah, what is wrong with you? Can you not slander people for once in your life?”

“Slander?” Micah looked genuinely puzzled, turning back to Ivy. “Then how can you possibly afford to live here?”

“It’s none of your business,” Ivy shot back coldly.

Micah’s phone started ringing again. He declined the call a second time.

Ivy glanced at his phone. “You should probably answer. If your uncle shows up, you’ll regret it.”

“My uncle?” Micah suddenly caught on. “You called him?”

Ivy didn’t answer, just raised an eyebrow. “Did Jamison tell you I was living here?”

“No…”

“So you had me followed?”

“No, it’s not like that-” Micah realized she’d gotten the wrong idea, and when he saw how determined she was to get the truth, he finally caved. “A few days ago, at that charity gala, Katrina left with my uncle. I figured it might have something to do with you, so I followed them…”

Katrina was livid. “Micah, you creep! Ivy cut you off a long time ago. You’re about to marry Emma, and now you show up here, harassing Ivy all over again. Are you trying to ruin her life?”