While Jo was deep in his stupor, his phone dinged and his train of thoughts broke. He pulled out his phone and checked what the notification was. It was an alert message he had set up to inform him whenever Tim made a call using his phone. "May I use your laptop?"

"Sure."

Ronnie got the laptop for Joshua to use and using it he connected it to his AI with ease. Since Noah's laptop was being kept secure and protected using his software and AI, it did not take long for him to take control.

"What are you doing?" Noah looked at him in interest. Even Roomie wanted to see what Joshua was up to and he stood behind them to get a good view.

"When I was in Aria's house today, I added an encrypted code in Tim's phone that will alert me wherever he makes a call. He has been trying to call someone for some time now. Sensing the urgency, it must be something important. So, let's listen to it."

"Can you do something like this?" Noah's gaze widened in admiration.

"Absolutely."

"Wow," Ronnie exclaimed and Joshua chuckled seeing the two men's worshipping gaze.

"I know I am amazing. You do not have to express it this clearly. But of course, I wouldn't mind the compliments."

Noah scoffed hearing his friend's narcissistic words. Joshua had mastered the art of boasting and nobody could beat him to it.

"Done. Let's see what our dear Tim is up to." Joshua said with an evil smile. As soon as he spoke those words, they could hear the call being placed on the laptop. They waited patiently and they got what they wanted. The phone call was answered this time.

"What have you got for me, Tim?" Jared's voice boomed on the phone. He had just finished a meeting with his men when he saw the numerous missed calls from him. Whenever he met his men in his lair, he would never pick any call. He did not want anyone to disturb his time when he was seriously planning a strategy. Now that he saw Tim's calls, he wondered what had happened for him to call him these many times. His assistant had informed him that Tim called him too when he had not been able to reach him.

When he was wondering if he should call him back or not, Tim called him again.

"Master, thank god. I have been trying to call you for long."

"What is it?"

"Master, I have some news for you and I think it is bad."

"Continue."

"Master, as you had ordered, I waited outside the girl's house today and I found out who her boyfriend is."

"How is that even relevant to me?"

"It is Master. Her boyfriend is someone you know."

"Is it?" Jared's eyes sparkled in fascination. He wondered who it could be.

"Yes, Master. He is your all time enemy's best friend."

"My all time enemy? Do you mean the Carter boy?"

Hearing Jared address him that way, Noah sneered and clenched his fists in anger. As he had expected, the man who had ordered Tim to keep an eye was Jared. It now confirmed that he was also the leader of the Vipers gang.

"Yes, Master."

"Then who among his friends is her boyfriend? Is it the doctor or the playboy?"

Now it was Joshua's turn to get annoyed. This man was hellishly infuriating.

"Master, it's Joshua Martin."

"Are you sure?" Though Jared had heard this horrible news, he did not waver from his seat. This was highly unexpected and if Joshua was really that girl's boyfriend, then it would become a hindrance in the future.

"Yes, Master. Joshua confirmed it himself."

"Did you speak to him? Why?" Jared asked in surprise.

"Yes. Don't worry Master. He does not know that I belong to the Vipers."

"Now that he is related to her, it will only complicate the situation. Continue to keep an eye on her. By the way, what is she up to nowadays?"

"Master, she has not done anything suspicious for the past few days. It was only yesterday that I saw her come back with Joshua."

"What do you mean by coming back? Come back from where?"

"I don't know Master. I saw her come back with Joshua today morning. Maybe she stayed at his house the previous night when I couldn't keep an eye on her."

"Hmm. Continue what you are doing. I'll see what I can do."

"Yes, Master."

"Wait a minute. You said that Joshua spoke to you. How did he find out you were there? Were you not hiding? Did he notice that you are keeping an eye on his woman?"

"I don't think he has found out about me stalking Ivy. It's just that Ivy happened to see me when I was standing outside and she came to talk to me. It was just out of courtesy as I was her colleague."

"Be careful as to not to get caught. Joshua is an intelligent man. We do not want him to get to us. We cannot take any risks with the girl having a very strong backing. None of the three friends have to be taken lightly."

When Jared called him intelligent, Joshua smirked and voiced, "That I am." He then continued listening to the call.

"Yes, Master."

"Continue to keep a close eye on her. If possible try to break into her house and see if you can find out what she is up to."

"Yes, Master."

The phone call ended and silence engulfed in Noah's office.

"How did Ivy offend Jared?" Noah voiced the question that he had in mind.

"I have no idea. It might be some news she collected that was against them. Maybe this is the reason they are getting all flustered." Joshua gave his opinion after some thought.

"That might be a possibility."

"What do we do now?"

"She is safe for now. So, we do not have to worry about it."

"Yeah. But it's better to take precautions. Now that she is alone, I am scared about her safety. A lot."

Noah raised an eyebrow hearing him. 'This man.' He sighed. 'When would he realize the feelings he has for the girl? Can't he see that he likes her a lot? What am I going to do with him?'

"We can ask her to move into her friend's house for the time being," Noah suggested. "At least she will have someone with her."

"No."

"Why?"

"I don't think it will be safe if she moved into another woman's house. I'll be more worried then. Not only will Ivy be in danger, even her friend would be involved in this situation. That's not good."

"What if she stays with a man?" Noah asked innocently although he knew what Joshua's answer would be.

"No. She can't do that." Joshua rejected the idea at once. Just the thought of Ivy staying in another man's house even if was for her safety was not sitting well with him. His blood boiled imagining it.

"Why?" Noah gave Ronnie a knowing look and stifled his smile.

"I mean she won't do that." He corrected himself when he realized that he had blurted out without thinking.

"How can you be sure? She has good friends right. She can stay with them for the time being until the matter settles."

"I just felt that she would be reluctant to stay with a man."

"I never suggested her to stay in the same room as him, right? They are only staying in the same house. What's wrong with it?" Noah was amused with the way Joshua was getting all jittery thinking about Ivy and another man. It was quite fun and he continued teasing the man who was losing his sanity slowly.

"Why don't you ask her to stay with you?" Joshua queried suddenly. "You will be her future brother-in-law. So, there will be no issues." 'Yes, this idea is good.' He thought. Now that Noah was in a relationship with Aria, he would not have to think of the possibility of anything happening between him and Ivy. Also, she would be safe with him. Who would dare to harm her with him around?

"Have you forgotten that her father is staying at my house? How can I ask her to come over my place in this situation?"

"You are right. I forgot about Mr. West totally."

"If you are so worried about her, why don't you ask her to relocate to your house?" Noah proposed with a grin that went unnoticed by the worried man. Ronnie too smiled hearing his Boss' words.

"That's a great idea. I can do that. With me watching over her, there is no way anybody will get to her."

"This is the best idea. But the question is will Ivy agree to this?" Noah mused and placed his right palm under his chin as though he was in deep thinking.

"Ohh." Joshua voiced in realization. That would be hard to achieve, but it's not impossible. "I will make her agree."

"Wow. How?"

"I have my ways." Joshua smiled at him.

"You do what you want. But make sure she is safe."

"Yep. So, what happened to you, Mr. Lovesick? Why do you look so forlorn?"

"You will find out when the woman you love will leave you for a day or so in the future. I am sure you will be more miserable than me."

"Spare me. I am not going to fall in love ever."

"I believe you on that." Noah mocked while Ronnie chuckled. Even he had noticed that Joshua was already falling hard in love with Ivy and he had no idea about it.

"What are you laughing at?" Joshua narrowed his eyes and scolded Ronnie. The poor guy blinked thrice not knowing what to say.

"Why are you taking out your frustration on him? He is innocent, leave him alone."

"Innocent and he?" Joshua exaggerated with wide eyes. "He is anything but innocent. If anybody sees him in the underworld base, they will piss in their pants out of horror. This man is a monster."

"Are you done? I am in no mood to hear your crap. You may leave."

"What the hell man. There is no way I am going to leave. Ian is not here. So, you will be my victim until he comes back. You will have to bear with my teasing, Loverboy." Joshua winked and Noah rolled his eyes at his childish behavior.

"Ronnie take him out of here. I want some peace and with him here, I doubt if I will ever achieve it."

"Boss?" Ronnie asked startled. He was in a fix right now. He had to follow Noah's words as he was his superior. But the man he was asked to throw out was Joshua. 'How did a poor guy like me get pulled into their banter?'

"Boss, I just remembered that Shane is waiting for me. We have a presentation to prepare. I have a lot of work. I'll take my leave first." Without waiting another second, he ran away from the office.

Noah and Joshua stared at him rushing away as though a bulldog was behind him. "Ronnie is so cute." They said together at once and realized that it was the exact same words the West sisters had said about him. The next instant they cleared their throat.

"I'll leave too. You continue with your work of sulking." Joshua said and left Noah alone in the office.

Noah smiled a little and got back to work. But before that, he didn't forget to take a glance at his sweetheart's photo on his phone. It was the only way he could see her face for the next few days.