I transmigrated and got a husband and a son!-Chapter 1185: Take your pick

Meanwhile...

"I swear to god, Dom! Can’t you say what’s the most important part before anything else!? Do you know what kind of effect this has on a person!? Tell me. You have a problem with me, do you? You hate that you hired me and now, you’re regretting because I’m all in your business!"

Dominic held his phone a palm length away from his face, but he could still hear Ivy’s continuous screaming. He couldn’t blame her, though. He wanted to tell her so she wouldn’t be surprised, but he was late.

He leaned back in the backseat, glancing at Bear in the driver’s seat. The latter didn’t react or say anything, keeping his focus on the road.

"I’m sorry," he said with a deep sigh, glancing at the phone. "I wanted to tell you, but her people arrived before I could. I would’ve told you, but you asked me a question first."

"You’re saying this is my fault?"

Dominic slid his eyes to the corner as he said, "No."

"Dominic Zhu."

"Ivy, I apologize about last night and this morning." Dominic sighed once more. "I’m trying my best to keep you in the loop as much as I can as my assistant. However, things are moving faster and I can’t update you every single time."

Ivy opened her mouth but then shut them again. She knew that. She knew that Dominic would’ve told her that the person who pointed a gun at her doorstep was one of Hera’s people. However, she couldn’t expect Dominic to be ready to keep her in the loop all the time.

She worked for him, and not the other way around.

"Are you calm now?" he asked as he moved the phone closer to his ear with caution. "If you are, listen carefully."

"Before you say anything." Ivy paused and cleared her throat. "Tell me first. Is Charlotte gonna be okay? Hera’s people dragged her with them. She was scared, but she didn’t make a huge fuss because she thought they’d kill me."

Dominic arched a brow upon hearing Ivy’s sentiments. If there was someone who had severe trust issues with others, that would be Ivy. It was also one of the biggest reasons Dominic agreed to send Charlotte to her place, knowing Ivy would tell him if that young woman was fake or genuinely naive.

"Strange I know, but that young lady — I feel sorry for her, Dom," she continued, knowing Dominic might need her input about this. "She’s like a bunny being sandwiched by the most vicious predators in the jungle. I’m not saying we should stop, but I think... it’s unfair to cut her future just because her mother is Florence Oxley."

"We’d have enough of that already," she added somberly. "If we want this to be over, then we make a sacrifice and stop this cycle."

Silence followed her remarks, but it didn’t surprise her at all.

"Unfortunately, that is not my call to make, Ivy," Dominic returned quietly. "But I believe you’re not the only one who has these thoughts. At this point, all we want is to end this cycle and live another peaceful day without looking over our shoulders."

"Anyway, as I was saying, I need you in an hour," Dominic continued. "Notify President Dunkell for a meeting. The Reapers are going to make their move, and so we also have to put our plans in motion. Notify Axel as well. I need you to be on your toes, Ivy."

Ivy swallowed a mouthful and nodded. "Consider it done."

"Then meet me in an hour."

"Dom, wait!" Ivy called in a hurry, stopping him from hanging up. "Before you go, what is this package, by the way? Someone left another package in front of my front door."

"Ah. That’s the one I sent you. It’s the phone."

"Phone?" Ivy shifted her eyes to the phone on top of the package wrap on the table. "Should I contact Axel with it?"

"I was using it to communicate with the Reapers," he said in the same plain, emotionless tone. "The second in command might call. Negotiate with him if possible."

With that being said, Dominic ended the call without waiting for her reply. Meanwhile, Ivy held the phone in front of her ear while her gaze was fixated on the other phone.

"The second in command," she murmured as she dragged her feet to the table.

Slowly, she put down her phone and picked up the other one with her other hand. Pursing her lips, a bitter and shallow smile appeared on her face.

"After making me angry to the point I want to strangle him, he does something to make me forgive him," she whispered, eyes softening, ignoring her conclusion that Dominic was actually a sadist. "I missed him. Will he really call?"

Ivy pursed her lips, wondering what to tell Tiger if this phone rang. She had many things to tell the man. She wanted to express her heart, which she was sure would take an entire day. Considering the Reapers were preparing for battle, Ivy felt a clench in her heart.

"I don’t want this to be our parting conversation," she blurted out under her breath. "I’m scared." — he might not come back.

"No." Ivy immediately shook her head, keeping the phone Dominic sent to her, and then focused on the other one. "This is why I stepped down. I’m not waiting. I’ll make sure he comes back."

With that thought in mind, Ivy held the other phone in case Tiger called. But in the meantime, she had to fulfill her duties as Dominic’s assistant, put his plans in motion, and make sure they would run smoothly.

*****

Back to Dominic...

"I didn’t think you’d decide so soon." Lukas welcomed Dominic to the private presidential suite where he stayed for the night and offered his hand to him. "I assume you’re ready to shake my hand now, Minister Zhu?"

The corner of Dominic’s lips curled up as he clasped Lukas’s hand tightly. "I thought about your offer," said Dominic, eyes glinting. "But before I say I agree, I want to tell you something very important."

"Important?" Lukas arched a brow. "Of course."

"Someone wants to join the deal."

This time, Lukas’s eyes swirled with curiosity. "I’m not letting anyone join this deal and neither you would let others know about this."

"Would you still say the same if that person is Hera Cruel?"

Lukas’s brows rose in surprise, as he didn’t expect that name to come up in such a manner.

"Hera Cruel heard someone from the Five Families contacted me. How did she know? I don’t know, but I’m not surprised nor I am intrigued. She’s Hera Cruel." Dominic slowly released Lukas’s hand, standing tall in front of the man. "She wants to call a truce between us, and I believe her. Now, Mr. Silvers, I wonder if you want to work together with her or... work on your own?"

"Before you decide, she wants to let you know she knows all about you," he added with a shrug. "As for me, Hera Cruel is my only problem. If I can make her stop her attacks on me, then I don’t mind shaking the devil’s hand."

He took a step and closed the distance between them. "And I also think you don’t want to make her an enemy of you, Mr. Silvers... just like how the Ashton’s and Capeti’s are doing."

"You." Lukas’s eyes slowly went wide at Dominic. "How did you —"

"How did I know?" Dominic arched a brow and smirked. "How I knew is easy — Hera. But how did she know? I have no idea. Compared to all of you, I am but a mere small participant here. However, today’s the day you should stop playing safe and take a side... because no one wins betting right after the game."

Dominic and Lukas held each other’s gaze, with both of them observing the other. After some time, Lukas rocked his head in understanding and said;

"What does she want?"