The Billionaire’s Regret
Chapter 40 –

Wyatt Reed didn't make a sound on the side, but his eyes were cold.

Ivy laughed softly and clasped Simon's arm in hers. "What does it matter to you how many men I change or how many people I date?" she asked, arching an eyebrow, "Mr. Elrod, do you want to date me as well?"Duke was enraged at being snubbed. Ivy is bullying him again. "You?" he scoffed, "you are not my type!"Ivy let out a soft teasing chuckle. "To be honest, the last time I saw your body, it wasn't in terrific shape. You should only date ladies who have no taste. I have very specific specifications for men's physiques," she asserted. How dare this woman suggested his physique isn't in good shape! Duke's face turned crimson and white as he shook with rage, but he didn't say anything else. His nudity was in her hands, so he had no choice but to stop. Ivy's implication was also picked up on by him.

Simon chuckled to himself. "Her expectations have always been very high, Mr. Elrod, if we keep talking, my boo's appetite will suffer!"

Ivy's mood was affected by a single glimpse at Wyatt!

Ivy gave Duke an icy look, ignored the man next to him, and stepped inside.

Duke was so enraged that he nearly leaped up behind them. "She's way too much for me! How could she make fun of me because I have a poor figure? Doesn't my physique look good?"

Wyatt's face was unusually cool. He gave a soft snort. "Do you think it's good?"

Wyatt was irritated that nothing had been going his way lately. He didn't get an appointment with Ivy, and the emerald pipe issue remained unresolved. The gloomy emotion persisted in his heart as he remembered the scene where Ivy had seen Duke running naked. He was irritated unreasonably.

Duke was defeated once more. He had no idea why Wyatt was making fun of him and he's seeming on Ivy's side every time Ivy implies to bully him. When he went to Wyatt's office to hunt for him, he happened to run into Wyatt's secretary, Michael, who was contacting Ivy's secretary, but he was turned down!

When the two of them went out for lunch, they noticed Ivy on a date with Simon Albert, so Wyatt couldn't be in a good mood.

Duke blurted out, "I heard your family treasure was auctioned off by your mother and sister?" he remembered.

Wyatt's expression grew even colder at the mention of this, and he remained silent.

"Who got it? Why don't you just invest additional money to get it?"

Duke received a chilly stare from Wyatt. "Ivy has it."

Duke was at a loss for words and could only utter a faint, "Oh."

That would be difficult then, Duke thought.

Perhaps Ivy didn't have much of an appetite after seeing those two men she loathed and felt bored with the meal.

Ivy decided to go home to relax after lunch because they had some wine. The wine Simon chose tasted sweet, but it burnt her throat. It also had a significant alcohol content, as she became tipsy after only one glass.

Ivy might have assumed Simon had drugged the wine if he hadn't been tipsier than she was at the time. She clenched her teeth, dialed Greg's number, and asked him to arrange for someone to take her up. She then planned to go to the restroom to wash her face and get some rest.

She didn't walk quite steadily, but she made it to the restroom and washed her face. She regretted going out with Simon after she regained consciousness. She knew the way back to the private area, but she ran into someone when she turned a corner. "Sorry..."

Ivy noticed Wyatt's chilly face with his brows tightly pulled together as soon as she opened her gaze. She quickly regained her composure and took a step back to maintain her space. "Reed?"

Wyatt's eyes lowered slightly when he noted her movement. "Ivy? What a coincidence."

Ivy cocked her brow. "No, it isn't. I was on my way out."

Wyatt halted her in her tracks before she could move past him. "Let's talk," he uttered.

"Talk? For what?" Ivy gave him a perplexed look.

"You know what it is," Wyatt said, his gaze fixed on her.

Ivy giggled and realized she wasn't tipsy anymore. "I don't think we have anything to talk about. Please contact my assistant if you have any work-related questions."

At that moment, her phone rang. It was most likely the driver.

"You can specify any condition you want, but I must take the pipe," Wyatt replied as Ivy was about to depart.

So, he's come to get the emerald pipe, she thought. Since it's been a day, the Don must have found out. She's guessing Eva and Piper are fairly miserable right now. "Mr. Reed, do you still not get it? I've been ignoring you since yesterday, regardless of the terms you offered. It indicates rejection." Ivy flashed a bright smile. After finishing her remarks, Ivy returned to the private room to call Simon and leave the place.

Before she got into the car, she realized she had left her purse inside.

She intended to return to grab it, but Simon stopped her. "I'll go get it. Wait here."

Simon walked away without saying anything else. Ivy considered it and followed him, but she did not expect to run into Wyatt and Duke, who were both about to leave.

Ivy did not proceed and waited on the other side of the fountain at the entrance to prevent unnecessary difficulties.

"I heard Alice's coming back soon?" Duke inquired.

"Hmm..." Wyatt responded.

"I haven't seen her in a long time," Duke added with a smile, "I miss her a lot. Despite the fact that she was at fault, your penalty was a touch harsh. You should just forgive her since she's one of us." The two men walked and talked before getting into their car then drifted away.

The midday sky was overcast, and the air was crisp. Ivy drew back her look. As she glanced in the direction of the car, she was lost in thought. Her chest felt congested and unpleasant.

Is Alice Perez one of them? That's why no matter what Ivy does, she'll always be an outsider to Wyatt Reed?

Alice Perez's name had been a curse to her for three years. Ivy thought she was finally free of it, and she had no idea that hearing this name again would trigger the same smothering sensation. I'm so worthless! She pondered.

She knew that Alice Perez had gone abroad after that party.

So, having Alice Perez leave the country is a punishment for them? Is her comeback to the country only an issue of Wyatt Reed's compassion?

Ivy found herself laughing at the situation. How about the three years she has been draining her blood dry? Others she may be able to forgive, but not her! So, she's returning? Then she'll greet her with a large present. Simon noticed Ivy's pale and melancholy expression as he approached her purse in hand. "What's the matter? Are you in a bad mood?" he asked.

Ivy regained her composure and smiled as she heard his remarks. "No, I'm returning. My driver has arrived," she uttered.

"I'll send you back," Simon said as he shoved Ivy into the car and sat beside her without allowing her to say no.

Ivy shrugged, smiled, and didn't seem to mind.

Simon felt like saying something, but he held back after sensing Ivy's mood. When they arrived at her building, Ivy instructed the driver to send Simon back before stepping out of the car.

After a few minutes of getting back to their house, the doorbell rang. So, she went to open it. When she opened the door, a gorgeous bunch of red roses came in front of her eyes, accompanied by Simon's charming face behind her.

Ivy stared at him, helpless. "Albert... I'm exhausted today." Her purpose of sending him on his way couldn't be more precise.

Simon cocked his brow. "I understand. This bouquet is not for my future girlfriend. It's for the queen who was unhappy today," he said.

Ivy came to a halt and glanced up at him. Simon seems to be a little less rowdy at this point.

"Are you not gonna invite me inside?"

Ivy arched her brow and sighed. She trusted Simon's character, so she cleared the way for him.

"Ivy, even if you have one less Wyatt Reed by your side, you still have a lot of people surrounding you," Simon said as he walked in. "Don't be bothered by him. He's not deserving of your attention," he added.

Ivy pressed her lips. Yeah, Wyatt isn't worthy of me, but I'm not worthy of him too, she thought.

Ivy poured Simon a glass of water and sat back down on the sofa. "Did you see right through it? I'm so terrible, aren't I?"

Ivy was enraged at Alice Perez's return. Her ostensibly carefree demeanor suddenly seemed less so.

"Yeah, a little," Simon said with a smile. His eyes were incredibly seductive.

"Hmph! Just get lost!" Ivy let out a soft snort. Suddenly, she felt a lot better for some reason.

Simon let out a small laugh. He abruptly rose, walked up to Ivy, and drew her into his arms. He let go just as Ivy was ready to struggle.

Simon bent down and lowered his head to gaze at her, an earnest smile on his face. "He has no right to irritate you any longer," he smiled, "Ivy, you will always be my queen."Ivy was taken aback by their abrupt closeness. His delicate essential oil aroma flooded her nose chamber, making her heart skip a beat.