Ivy's eyes brimmed with tears of unwillingness as she stared at Mia and snapped, "If I'd had the kind of background you did when I was young, I wouldn't have ended up like this! I was forced into everything I did by rich, privileged people like you!"
Noelle let out a cold laugh. "You wanted a life of luxury, but you refused to walk the right path. Now, isn't it pathetic to blame everyone else for your own mistakes?"
"Save me your moral high horse. You brought Eason here because you want me to tell you where the rest of the money is. Well, keep dreaming because I won't say a word." Ivy scoffed.
Mia chimed in, "Don't flatter yourself. We brought Eason here so he could see you before we send him somewhere safe."
"Safe? What do you mean by that? Are you threatening me with Eason now?"
Noelle stepped forward and explained, "The news that you siphoned off most of the money has reached your foreign partners. Do you think they won't come looking for you once they realize you double-crossed them?"
Realization struck Ivy, and she started panicking as she said, "You have to leave now! Don't let them find you! I saved some of the money for—"
She stopped mid-sentence and looked up at Noelle and Mia. "You're trying to trick me, aren't you? Are you luring me into telling you where the money is? I'm not saying a damn thing!"
Noelle sneered. "See? In the end, you're only thinking about yourself."
Mia turned to Eason and said, "Let's go. You shouldn't get more involved."
But when he spoke, his voice was heavy with guilt. "I know where the money is."
"Eason, shut up! You can't tell them; do you hear me? I saved the money for you, and you're not allowed to say anything!" she screamed and kept her stare on Eason.
He looked at her and replied, "Mom, you never asked if I wanted that money. You never asked what I needed."


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