Chapter 37

Author’s POV Ivy Hart was desperate now. Two weeks without Blackwood protection, and her savings were bleeding dry. Each rejected job application pushed her to lower her salary expectations even further. Finally, some tiny no-name studio had agreed to take her in—as a damn assistant. Her. A former designer. The humiliation burned in her stomach as she shuffled papers and made coffee like some glorified intern. Two and a half days into this miserable job, and she was already dragging her feet. How had she fallen this far? From being Ryan's darling to this? "Ivy, there's a dinner meeting tonight. Clean yourself up and join us," her sleazy boss announced, eyeing her like she was merchandise. "Not going," she snapped, lifting her chin with defiance. He laughed. Laughed in her face. "Then pack your things and don't come back tomorrow. I don't pay for deadweight around here." Her heart sank, reality crashing down on her shoulders. She had no other options. After a beat, she gave a reluctant