Chapter 28: Theodore Reid is the mysterious man?
The office grew almost empty after the twilight. Ivy was still working, papers scattered across her desk. Her phone vibrated shattering the silence with a jolt.
The caller ID flickered, a familiar number sending a spark through her. She answered with a snap, urgency lacing her voice, "Did you find anything about her?"
Across the line, a deep, gravelly voice responded. "Miss Bella Dawn has been running from the moneylenders to avoid repaying debts. Her ancestral home is mortgaged as well. To escape the loan sharks and her abusive stepfather, she moved to the city. Interestingly, she has urgently gone back to her hometown. The moneylenders are demanding she repay the debts, or she will lose her house."
The words were like a cruel melody to Ivy’s ears. A smile crept across her face. "Well, well... It seems she’s in quite the predicament."
A malevolent glint flickered in her eyes as a wicked plan began to take shape. This was her opportunity, a chance to erase Bella from Zack’s life forever.
"Contact those people who are after her, and..." Leaning in further, she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, relaying instructions to the person on the other end.
"I want to see her ruined. I want to hear her cries." Her features twisted in a mask of fury and hatred. "Make sure she suffers. She dares to think she can steal my fiancé. She has to pay for it."
A chilling silence followed, then the voice on the other end spoke, a dark promise echoing down the line, "Get it, madam. Your wish will be fulfilled."
As she ended the call, Ivy smiled dangerously. "With your ruined dignity, you’ll never face Zack again," she hissed with vicious pleasure.
~~~~~~~~~~
Bella spent a restless night at Mrs. Green’s house, worry gnawing at her every thought. As promised, the moneylender materialized at the doorstep. A greasy smile stretched across his face.
"Miss Bella Dawn," he boomed with a false cheer. "Did you bring the money?"