Chapter 167: Someone collapsed
Later that evening, after wrapping up her shoot, Ivy drove back to the Emerson Mansion with Sal.
Sal glanced sideways at her and couldn’t help but laugh.
"Look at you," he teased. "The infamous assassin who could spend days tracking targets without breaking a sweat now looks like she’s about to fall asleep."
Ivy shot him an exhausted look.
"Don’t start, Sal. You know there’s a huge difference between handling a gun and spending hours in high heels while pretending to smile for cameras."
She leaned back in her seat and let out a long sigh.
"I actually miss my old life. It was dangerous, but somehow less exhausting than this."
Sal chuckled but let the joke drop.
"Anyway," he said after a pause, "what are you planning to do about what Nathan told us? Do you want me to look into Logan Mortini?"
Ivy fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"Yes. And while you’re at it, find out why the original Ivy wanted to get close to Xander in the first place. I want the real reason."
Sal raised an eyebrow.
"You think there’s more to the story?"
"I do."
Her gaze drifted to the passing city lights outside the window.
"The more I learn about her, the more convinced I am that she was hiding something. She cut ties with the Ford family, asked Nathan to erase traces of her past, and what is her purpose to reach out to Logan Mortini. None of that feels like a coincidence."
Determination flickered in her eyes.
"I want every piece of information you can find."
"I’ll get on it," Sal replied.
The conversation faded, and silence settled over the car.
A few minutes later, Ivy suddenly looked out the window and tapped Sal’s arm.
"Pull over."
He slowed the car and parked by the curb.
"I thought you said you were exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go home," he said, watching her unbuckle her seat belt.
"I did," Ivy replied with a faint smile. "But I just remembered something."
Without another explanation, she stepped out of the car and headed toward a nearby flower shop.
Sal watched her through the windshield, amused.
"When did the coldest assassin I know become such a softie?" he muttered with a shake of his head.
***
Meanwhile, Ivy stepped into the flower shop.
The gentle fragrance of fresh blooms filled the air, instantly washing away some of the fatigue from the long day. Rows of roses, lilies, tulips, and orchids lined the shelves in carefully arranged displays.
She paused for a moment, quietly scanning the bouquets before walking farther inside, as if searching for something very specific until she reached the counter.
The shopkeeper greeted her with a warm smile.
"Can I help you, ma’am?"
"Do you have any tulips?" Ivy asked. "Preferably white ones."
The elderly shopkeeper’s expression turned apologetic.
"I’m sorry, ma’am. We sold out this afternoon. A fresh shipment is arriving tomorrow morning if you’d like to come back then."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Ivy’s face.
"I see. Thank you."
She gave a small nod and turned toward the exit.
Just as she reached the door, a loud crash echoed from outside.
Thud!
The unmistakable sound of someone hitting the pavement made her stop in her tracks.
Several pedestrians gasped.
"Oh my God!"
"Someone collapsed!"
Ivy’s instincts took over before she had time to think.
She immediately turned back and hurried to where the woman had collapsed.
"Oh my goodness! What happened to her?" the shopkeeper asked, rushing over in alarm.
Kneeling beside the unconscious woman, Ivy quickly assessed her condition. She remembered seeing the same woman admiring the flowers only moments earlier. Now, she lay motionless on the floor, her face frighteningly pale.
Ivy gently checked her pulse.
The moment her fingers found it, her expression grew serious.
"It’s very weak," she said, looking up at the shopkeeper. "She needs medical attention immediately."
Without wasting another second, Ivy pulled out her phone and dialed Sal.
Less than a minute later, the shop door swung open as Sal rushed inside.
His eyes immediately landed on Ivy kneeling beside the unconscious woman.
"What happened?" he asked, confused. "And who is she?"
Ivy looked up at him, her tone calm but urgent.
"No time to explain. We have to get her to the hospital. Her pulse is weak, and she’s barely responsive."
Sal hesitated for only a moment before nodding.
"Got it."
He carefully lifted the woman into his arms while Ivy gathered the handbag and belongings that had fallen beside her.
"Let’s move," Ivy said.
Together, they hurried out of the flower shop and made their way to the car, hoping they weren’t already too late.
***
[Twenty minutes later...]
The doors to the emergency room finally opened, and the attending doctor stepped into the hallway.
He looked at Ivy and Sal with a reassuring smile.
"There’s no need to worry," he said. "She’s stable now. It appears she fainted due to exhaustion and skipping meals. Fortunately, there doesn’t seem to be anything seriously wrong."
Ivy let out a quiet breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
"That’s a relief," she murmured.
The doctor gave a small nod before adding, "She’s regained consciousness, and she’s asking to see the woman who brought her in. I assume that’s you."
He gestured toward the recovery room before excusing himself and walking down the corridor.
Sal watched him leave, then turned to Ivy.
"Looks like you’ve made quite an impression."
Ivy smiled faintly but said nothing.
"I’ll wait out here," Sal offered.
She nodded in appreciation. "Thanks."
With that, Ivy pushed open the door to the recovery room and quietly stepped inside, where the woman was awake and waiting for her.
***
Ivy stepped into the room as quietly as possible, gently closing the door behind her.
The woman was sitting up against the hospital bed, looking noticeably better than before, though the exhaustion on her face was still evident.
When their eyes met, the woman offered a weak smile.
"So... you’re the one who brought me here."
Ivy nodded and pulled a chair closer to the bed.
"You collapsed at the flower shop. It seemed serious, so we brought you to the hospital."
The woman lowered her gaze, clearly embarrassed.
"I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble."
"It wasn’t any trouble."
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Then the woman let out a soft sigh.
"I suppose the doctor already told you what happened."
"He said you fainted because you hadn’t eaten."
A hint of guilt flashed across the woman’s face.
"I’ve been so preoccupied lately that I forgot about meals. I didn’t think it would end like this."
Ivy frowned slightly.
"Skipping meals isn’t something to take lightly. You’re fortunate someone was nearby."
"I know."
The woman paused before looking at Ivy with gratitude.
"Thank you. Most people would’ve called an ambulance and walked away—or simply assumed someone else would help."
"I just did what anyone should do."
The woman smiled at that, though there was sadness behind it.
"Not everyone would."
She reached for the small handbag resting on the bedside table and took out a business card.
"My name is Hailey Mortini."
She extended the card toward Ivy.
"I don’t know how to repay your kindness, but if there’s ever anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask."
The moment Ivy heard the name, her hand froze for the briefest instant.
Hailey... Mortini?
She accepted the card without letting her surprise show.
’Could this be..’
Of all the people she could have stumbled upon that evening, fate had led her to the very person she had been planning to investigate.
Keeping her expression composed, Ivy slipped the card into her purse and offered a polite smile.
"I’m glad you’re alright, Mrs. Mortini. That’s thanks enough."
Across the room, Hailey studied the young woman before her, unaware that this chance encounter might change both of their lives in ways neither of them could yet imagine.
Ivy smiled back when suddenly another person walked in worried.
"Hailey"
