Chapter 717: Showdown

Chapter 717: Chapter 717: Showdown

Everyone stared at her in disbelief. A moment ago, she had used a perfectly normal tone of voice to thank them.

’Could it be? Is she all better now?’

While they stood there dumbfounded, Ivy Tanner headed straight for the exit.

The staff immediately gave chase, following her all the way to the bus stop outside the Rhodes Residence. They wanted to take her back, but they couldn’t use force, so all they could do was plead with her.

But Ivy Tanner’s mind was made up. She wasn’t going to stay.

When the bus finally arrived, Ivy Tanner didn’t board immediately. She waited until the doors were about to close, then darted on at the last second, successfully shaking off the staff.

Seeing their worried expressions, Ivy Tanner felt a pang of guilt, but at the same time, she was happy.

She could tell that these people genuinely cared about her.

During this time, they had been so kind to her. It was, without a doubt, the happiest and most peaceful time she’d had since she’d become "simple," and it was all thanks to them.

Unfortunately, some things were just never meant to be hers.

’Goodbye, Rhodes Residence.’

’Goodbye, everyone.’

’Goodbye, Claire Sinclair.’

As she watched them grow smaller in the distance, Ivy Tanner’s vision blurred with tears. She had thought she had nothing left to lose, yet in that moment, it felt like she had lost the entire world.

When she got off this bus, what awaited her would be a point of no return—a fate beyond redemption.

The bus finally reached its stop, right below the Kingsley Group tower.

Ivy Tanner walked into the building and went straight to the reception desk. "Hello," she said to the receptionist. "I’m looking for Ethan Kingsley."

"You... Aren’t you Third Miss Tanner?" The receptionist recognized her but hesitated. Third Miss Tanner was supposed to be a fool, but the woman standing before her looked anything but.

Ivy Tanner said, "My name is Ivy Tanner. I’m here to see Ethan Kingsley."

"P-Please wait a moment." Not daring to offend her, the receptionist quickly made a call. "Ms. Webb, Third Miss Tanner is here. She says she’s looking for Young Master Kingsley."

"Third Miss Tanner? Which Third Miss Tanner?"

"Ivy Tanner!"

"What? I’ll tell Young Master Kingsley right away!" A few seconds later, Ms. Webb’s voice came back on the line. "Young Master Kingsley says to bring Third Miss Tanner up immediately. He also said to be careful and not to frighten her."

"Yes, yes, of course! I understand!" The receptionist hung up and hurried out from behind the desk. She made a welcoming gesture toward Ivy Tanner. "Third Miss Tanner, please come with me."

Ivy Tanner took a quiet, deep breath. ’It’s time for the showdown. Life or death—I can’t afford to care about that now.’

’I can’t be so selfish anymore. I don’t want my friend to get hurt because of me, and I certainly don’t want the others to keep worrying over my problems.’

’From now on, I’ll leave things to fate. I’m done struggling. This is how it has to be.’

The receptionist took her up the elevator to the 18th floor, finally leading her into a luxurious office.

There was only one person in the office: Ethan Kingsley.

Seeing her enter, Ethan Kingsley’s face lit up with surprise. He walked over to her, studying her face as he said excitedly, "Little Cutie, what are you doing here? Who brought you?"

Ivy Tanner took a step back until her back was pressed against the door. She lifted her chin and stared expressionlessly at his vile, hypocritical face.

Realizing something was wrong with the way she was looking at him, Ethan Kingsley frowned. "What is it? Did someone bully you?"

Ivy Tanner stared at him, finally speaking after a long silence. "Why did you have to hurt Mr. Rhodes?"

"What did you say?" Ethan Kingsley realized she had changed, but he couldn’t quite process what was happening.

Ivy Tanner suddenly screamed at him, "Why did you have to hurt him? Why did you hurt him?!"

Her body trembled with emotion, her breathing growing ragged and frantic.