The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1963

Ivy had no proof to convince the interviewers of her innocence – an innocence that seemed to be perpetually on trial.

After a brief huddle, the hiring managers offered Ivy an apologetic “Sorry, but we can’t offer you the position.”

As much as she had braced herself for disappointment, the rejection still stung. With the weight of regret pressing down on her, Ivy left the office, her steps heavy with dejection.

She had thought that severing ties with her family with a three-million-dollar settlement would finally free her from their toxic grasp. But Clara, ever the spiteful half-sister, seemed determined to make Ivy’s life a misery. It wasn’t enough that Ivy was forced to strike out on her own; Clara seemed determined to sabotage even the smallest chance at independence.

this really

to Ivy outside the Harris Group’s imposing building. “Need your sis to find you a gig as a stagehand or something?

you’d do well to stay out of my sight!” she snapped, barely containing the storm brewing inside her. She didn’t want to cause a scene, not here on the company’s

held for Clara, who had stolen all of her mother’s love and relentlessly picked

so much, yet

let you have a moment’s peace,” Clara sneered, her eyes glinting with arrogance. “You only have yourself to blame. If it weren’t for your mother, the gold-digger, marrying my father and

mother. “You hate my mom? After everything she’s done for you? She always took your side,

thing your mom was smart enough to play housemaid and save us the expense of hiring one. Otherwise, I’d have convinced Dad to throw both you and