Shawn: ‘No, it's just that Cato Alter called me right before I left work and asked me to stay for a while. Don't overthink it. As a way to apologize, I've prepared a gift, and you can help me deliver it.’ Ivy: ‘Alright.’ Not long after, Shawn's gift was delivered. It was a pot of cactus. She couldn't help but twitch her lips. When Lilith came to pick up Ivy, she saw her staring at the cactus in a daze and burst into laughter. "Is this the gift arranged by Shawn for Kevin Alter? Wow, he's already asserting his status. You're like this cactus, and he's the spines." "If Kevin sees this, he's going to be so angry!" Ivy rolled her eyes at Lilith and messaged Shawn: ‘How could I give this?’ Shawn replied: ‘Just say it's from your husband.’ Even through the screen, Ivy could sense his sarcasm. Ivy responded: ‘Are you treating him like a fool?’ Shawn replied: ‘Kevin Alter, the future heir of the Alter Group, raised in luxury, innocent, kind, honest, and optimistic. Isn't he just untouchable like the cactus?’ Ivy exclaimed: ‘You're just making things up!’ She didn't reply to Shawn anymore and left with Lilith. When they arrived, their classmates were already there. It was the same group of people and the same kind of flattering smiles. "Congratulations, Dr. Tanya. I heard that you were selected as one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Doctors in the city by First Hospital yesterday." Tanya blushed as several classmates praised her. She modestly said, "It's because our hospital is willing to give opportunities to young people, and it's also thanks to the leadership of President Alter." After saying that, she looked shyly at Kevin Alter and added, "Kevin is in charge of our hospital, and under his leadership, our hospital has been doing exceptionally well recently." "That's no surprise!" Their classmates chimed in, "Are you two, by any chance, going to have good news soon?" "You guys, stop making things up!" Tanya anxiously interrupted them, but everything they said made her seem more suspicious. "I really have a close friendship with Kevin, and he is my superior!" "Superior, close friend," their classmates continued with teasing remarks. Kevin had been drinking heavily and had been wondering why Ivy hadn't arrived yet. Therefore, he didn't fully catch the conversation, let alone respond. However, his silence was interpreted by their classmates as agreement. Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly awkward, someone suddenly asked Kevin, "Kevin, since you've paved the way for Tanya, you should have some feelings for her, right? How about making it official on your birthday?" "What?" Kevin finally came back to his senses. Just as the door to the private room opened, Lilith entered, leading Ivy with her. "I'm sorry for being late." She had intentionally arrived at this moment, and it was clear she had no intention of giving Tanya a chance. "Kevin, happy birthday!" Lilith handed Kevin Alter the gift. "This is a gift prepared by me and Ivy together." "What kind of gift is it?" Everyone was curious, but Lilith played coy, "The gift from Ivy and me is nothing to brag about. There's also a gift from Ivy's husband. He couldn't make it in person today due to an urgent meeting. To express his apology, he picked a carefully selected gift for Ivy to bring here." "Ivy's husband's gift?" The classmates were taken aback, thinking that this husband was indeed generous. Who would willingly send a gift to their spouse's ex? Wasn't that asking for trouble? Or did this husband know that he couldn't compare to Kevin Alter and wanted to appease him? The crowd's gaze naturally turned to Ivy, making her seem pitiable and ridiculous. "Kevin, don't be afraid of the gift; it won't bite. Ivy’s husband hardly ever does something like this. He's gone to great lengths to prepare it," Lilith encouraged, hands on her hips. Kevin cleared his throat, smiled at Ivy, and said, "I feel really guilty about this. It's too extravagant." With everyone watching, Kevin carefully opened the white box, revealing a cactus inside. It shone brilliantly under their eager gazes."Cactus?!" A classmate exclaimed, "Was he trying to warn Kevin that Ivy was his and should not be touched?" It was a blatant challenge and warning! Their classmates, who had initially teased, now felt sympathetic towards Kevin. The cactus was as captivating as Ivy's husband's authority and anger. Ivy couldn't help but shake her head. For some reason, she felt like the cactus had turned into the face of Shawn, each one warning Kevin Alter, "Stay away from my wife, or I won't be polite!" She tried hard to shake off these unsettling thoughts. Tanya, feeling furious, slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "Ivy, what's the meaning of this?" "I'm sorry. My husband is a bit rough around the edges and doesn't understand these. He once gave me chrysanthemums for Valentine's Day, saying they're easy to care for," Ivy explained with embarrassment and apology. "Exactly, exactly!" Lilith feigned seriousness along with Ivy, "Her husband said today that he personally nurtured this cactus. It emerges from the mud unstained, representing the untouchable future heir of the Alter Group!" Kevin struggled to maintain his smile. "Please thank your husband on my behalf. If he has the chance, I'd like to invite him to dinner at the Alter Group." He deliberately mentioned the Alter Group, and their classmates immediately raised their glasses. "Happy birthday, Kevin! Congratulations to Tanya for receiving such a high honor at a young age. It's truly a double celebration!" "Yeah, whoever marries Tanya is lucky." "Or unlucky!" Lilith interjected, and the others immediately ganged up on her. "Lilith, although you're a wealthy and beautiful woman, Tanya's family background isn't bad either. Stop being jealous of others here." While others chatted, Kevin quietly asked Ivy, "How's work going lately? Is there any trouble from Cato Alter at DT Investment?" He wore an appearance of genuine concern, just as he always had three years ago, with no changes in his demeanor. Every time, he showed concern like this, but every time, he failed to take actual steps to protect her. Ivy responded with a question, "Our cooperation is fair, open, and transparent. What could he do to bully me? And even if he did, could you protect me?""I..." Kevin Alter was rendered speechless by her reply. He raised his glass and drank to conceal his embarrassment but ended up choking on his drink, struggling to breathe. Ivy stared at him coldly, offering no assistance. After recovering, Kevin spoke softly, "If he truly bullies you, you can terminate the cooperation with DT Investment, and the Alter Group will support you unconditionally." Ivy replied with a faint smile, brutally puncturing his fragile ego, "Mr. Kevin Alter, I think you should ask Chairman Alter first." Kevin couldn't accept Ivy's newfound aloofness and furrowed his brow as he asked her, "Why are you so cold to me?" "Am I supposed to be like other women, groveling at Mr. Kevin Alter's feet?" Ivy coldly retorted. "Of course not!" Kevin hurriedly explained, "You're the person I cherish most, and I..." Ivy nudged him, indicating he should look behind him. There, Tanya was eagerly waiting for him. As soon as Kevin turned his gaze toward her, she smiled brilliantly and obsequiously. Ivy said, "Mr. Alter, you should cherish the person in front of you. Tanya's background matches yours." With that said, she raised her glass to Tanya and asked, "Tanya, is your dad back in town?" Tanya immediately widened her eyes and looked at Ivy warily. "Why are you suddenly asking about my dad?" Ivy shrugged, saying, "Just a customary greeting. No need to misunderstand." "My dad is back, but he's been very busy recently and hardly ever comes home," Tanya responded. Ivy changed the topic, saying, "Didn't you tell me last time that you wanted to organize a birthday party for Mr. Kevin Alter tonight? So, tonight's dinner is on you, right?" The classmates seized the opportunity, raising their glasses and chiming in, "Yes, it's Mr. Alter's birthday, so you should treat us. Let Mr. Alter see your sincerity. Maybe..." The last words were particularly ambiguous, and Tanya's heart fluttered. ***