Chapter 152: Chapter 152 Future Mrs Thorne
Caleb’s POV
I heard Ivy’s voice cut through the violent shouting that echoed through the Thorne mansion and immediately moved to her side. She had awakened from all the screaming and chaos reverberating through our fortress.
"What the hell is happening here?" she demanded, her emerald eyes scanning the bloody scene with mounting alarm.
"My queen, I’ll explain everything in a moment. Finn, could you escort Ivy to the armory?" I turned to him, trusting him completely to keep her safe from this bloodbath.
"Absolutely not. I need to know what’s going down right now," Ivy said with deadly calm, crossing her arms in that way that meant she wouldn’t back down.
"Oh, so this is the little street rat you’ve been playing house with?" Veronica’s voice dripped with venom as she spat the words. "I heard you were slumming it with some gutter trash. But sweetheart, don’t delude yourself into thinking he actually gives a damn about you, because he’s still mine!"
"You’ve completely lost your mind, Veronica. Whatever we had died when you betrayed the family years ago," I growled through clenched teeth.
"I don’t think so, Caleb. You were all over me in every possible way when I saw you in that Fresh Ramsey safehouse recently!" Veronica’s taunting voice made my blood run cold with rage.
"You worthless piece of garbage, I’m going to destroy that plastic face of yours so completely that no surgeon in the world will be able to put you back together!" Zoe completely lost control, lunging forward and grabbing Veronica by her perfectly styled hair. The room erupted into absolute chaos.
"STOP THIS MADNESS!" Ivy’s commanding voice cut through the violence like a blade. "Zoe, get your hands off that snake."
Zoe immediately released her grip and stepped back, looking toward her friend. Ivy rose gracefully from her position, smoothed down her dress and fixed her hair, then walked directly toward Veronica with measured, predatory steps. She stopped right beside me, gave me a reassuring smile, then fixed Veronica with a look of pure contempt.
"I actually feel sorry for you. What a pathetic little mafia princess you are! Surrounded by blood money but completely starved of genuine loyalty," Ivy spoke in a voice so calm and controlled it was almost terrifying. "I remember exactly what you did to Zoe’s family business, and the only reason I didn’t help her destroy you completely was because she found you here instead of in our territory. You’ve caused tremendous pain to truly honorable people. You’re immoral, crude, shameless, and absolutely despicable."
"Who the hell do you think you are to speak to me that way, you little nobody?" Veronica snarled back.
"Don’t you dare insult me by calling me a nobody," Ivy fired back without even flinching. "I may not have grown up in a crime family like you did, but I have integrity and self-respect. Concepts you clearly know nothing about. But you’re absolutely right about one thing - I haven’t properly introduced myself. Let me fix that oversight. I’m Ivy, the future Mrs. Thorne, and the closest friend - no, the sister - of this fierce warrior right here." Ivy wrapped her arm around my waist, took Zoe’s hand, and smiled warmly at her friend.
I stared at Ivy in complete awe. The only thing I could focus on was how she had just called herself the future Mrs. Thorne. Christ, how deeply I love this incredible woman!
"Ha! Look at you acting all superior, you piece of street trash!" Veronica’s face twisted with disgust. "Why don’t you ask him about his wild night in that Fresh Ramsey safehouse? Ask him how loudly he was moaning while I was servicing him!"
"Oh, you poor delusional creature. Let me enlighten you about something - he was thinking about me the entire time he was with you, and he only touched you because we were temporarily separated by family business. What did you think? That I didn’t know about it? Who’s living in a fantasy world now? So please, stop humiliating yourself any further, you’ve already embarrassed yourself beyond repair." Ivy’s response was devastating.
"You little..." Veronica raised her hand to strike but froze completely when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
"That’s enough, Eleonora! I’ve been standing here for a while watching this absolute horror show, and I have never felt more ashamed in my entire life!" Veronica’s father, Don Loxley, had entered the room and was walking straight toward her with deadly purpose. "Disappointment doesn’t even begin to capture what I’m feeling right now. This young woman is absolutely correct - you have no honor and no respect for family law whatsoever!"
"Papa, you don’t understand the situation, please let me explain," Veronica’s voice suddenly became small and whimpering.
"I honestly don’t know where I failed so completely with you!" He turned toward Ivy and me with a heavy sigh. "Caleb, I’m deeply sorry she’s creating yet another problem for your family. Ivy, is it? Please accept my sincere apologies for this behavior. I was close allies with Caleb’s parents, and I know they would have been honored to meet you. As for this situation," he said, gesturing toward his daughter and placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "please trust that I will handle it according to our laws."
"How did you even know I was here?" Veronica asked her father directly.
"I have loyal informants, Eleonora. One of them happens to be the uncle of Zoe’s boyfriend. I know exactly what you did to this young lady’s family operation. They were valuable allies of ours, and because of your actions, they cut all ties with our organization. When they spotted you entering this compound, they called to inform me immediately." Don Loxley explained calmly. "Now we’re going home. You’re going to pack your belongings, and your mother and I are taking you to our Norwegian territory."
"Like hell that’s happening, Papa." Veronica let out a bitter laugh. "I’m a grown woman, and I make my own decisions. I’m not going anywhere near Norway."
"Ah, you’re absolutely right. You do make your own choices. But if you want to continue enjoying my protection and resources - and I believe you do since you’ve never contributed anything useful to this family - you’re going to Norway and you’re going to stay there quietly under your brother’s supervision. I don’t imagine, dear daughter, that you want to lose my support completely and face the consequences alone, do you?" Her father’s threat was delivered with cold precision.
"Fine, whatever. It’s not worth the trouble anyway. Such a waste, Caleb, we could have had incredible power together!" Veronica huffed dramatically and turned to leave.
"You evil witch, just tell me one thing - how exactly did you track us down in that Fresh Ramsey safehouse?" Jude demanded.
"It was Monica, of course. I’ve maintained contact with her throughout all these years." Veronica gave a cruel, sarcastic laugh. "You think I’m terrible? She’s infinitely worse!" With those parting words, Veronica turned her back and walked out with her father.
"I knew it! We need to eliminate Monica permanently once and for all." Jude declared.
"And we absolutely will, Jude." I agreed, then turned my full attention to Ivy. "How are you feeling, my queen?"
"Exhausted and overflowing with questions. And absolutely starving." Ivy responded honestly.
"And what would the mother of my future godchild like to eat?" Xavier wrapped his arm around her shoulder and guided her toward the comfortable sofa.
"Actually, I really want to go home and see my son," Ivy said softly.
"Why don’t we bring our little prince here instead? I think everyone in this room wants to meet him and show support for you and Caleb during this moment. I know this is between you two, but I really want to be present for this..." Xavier looked at Ivy with pleading eyes.
"Oh, Ivy, I completely agree with Xavier. I’ve been part of my little angel’s life since the day he was conceived..." Zoe added enthusiastically.
"I don’t recall you being present during the actual conception, Zoe," I teased with a grin.
"Look who’s getting smart with me now, you ridiculous monster," Zoe laughed heartily. "I know every single scandalous detail of that night." She chuckled at our playful exchange.
"I’m genuinely grateful that you were there for her," I felt overwhelming gratitude that she had supported Ivy through everything.
"Alright then. I’ll call Carmen and ask her to bring him over," Ivy agreed warmly. "I love that you’re all here with us during such a monumental moment!"
"I’ll send the armored car and Caleb to collect them safely," Xavier hugged Ivy tightly. "And what sounds good for dinner?"
"A big juicy hamburger and crispy french fries," Ivy said with sparkling, delighted eyes. Xavier left with a huge smile to arrange everything perfectly.
"My queen, I’m the happiest man alive right now. I’m incredibly eager to meet my son properly. But I’m also terrified. How do you think he’ll react to learning the truth?" I asked, holding Ivy’s hands gently in mine.
"Max is an exceptionally intelligent and loving boy, Caleb. He already adores you, and now you’re simply his father. I believe he’ll be overjoyed as well. But don’t you think we should arrange for a DNA test?" Everyone in the room looked at Ivy as if she had completely lost her mind. Including me.
"Ivy, for Christ’s sake, that boy looks exactly like me! I don’t understand how we didn’t figure this out before now!" I said with complete confidence. "Besides, we both know precisely what happened at that auction." I pulled Ivy close for a quick, tender kiss. "So you’re planning to be the future Mrs. Thorne?" I asked with a broad smile.
"Did you honestly think I’d let that pathetic princess get under my skin?" Ivy said as if the answer should have been completely obvious to everyone.
