Meanwhile, at Victor's house, Lauren and Cole where in the living room together. Cole sat on Victor's armchair with his head in his hands. He was at a loss, he knew he shouldn't have listened to Lauren, but her persuasive tactics and persuasion had him sold but know that they had done everything she had said. He felt nothing but regret.

He was regretful that he had ever laid eyes on her in the first place never mind sleeping with her behind Ivy's back. He now realised all too late that Ivy was working late into the night at the company for their future happiness and triumph together. At the time he was alone most nights as she worked, he felt abandoned and was drinking at a bar not too far from the company when Lauren showed up and seduced him.

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He could only blame Lauren so much though as he had continued the affair and would probably have continued it if Ivy hadn't of disappeared. He never got to tell her he was sorry for how he treated her, he never got his closure. He found out that Lauren would sleep around with any man that had even slightly more power and influence than him and that was a major turn off. He had seen the pictures of her on every major newspaper of the night she had tried to seduce Noah but had failed. He found her repulsive now, why couldn't he of said no? Then he would be with Ivy now, she was kind, feisty, and beautiful, everything the rest of the women he had met were not.

He never slept with Ivy and he was mad with jealously that she was living with Noah. He had ended things with Lauren and they still were not together. A few nights ago she had turned up at his apartment and he had sent her away but she stayed and told him her plan through the intercom. She was persuasive. At this moment now though he wanted nothing but to put his hands around her neck and choke her.

Lauren was parading about in one of Ivy's dresses that she had left at her fathers a few years ago, it didn't fit her body well but she was determined to wear it. She noticed Cole with his head in his hands and she rolled her eyes in contempt, "Here help me with the zipper."

Cole glanced up his eyes burned with hostility.

"Don't scowl at me, she will come I'm sure of it and when she does you can be her saviour and help her get out of this situation." Lauren turned and pointed to the zipper asking for his help with the dress.

"It doesn't fit or suit you. Take it off!" He said unemotionally.

"What do you mean by that? I and Ivy are the same size so it has to fit." Lauren protested

"It doesn't fit and she has an amazing figure still, as for you… you have let yourself go." Cole didn't hold back any longer. He didn't like to insult women especially about their looks but he found Lauren ugly from the inside out recently.

Cole and Lauren had been bickering back and forth since they had arrived at Ivy's house. Cols stood up and walked towards the window, it opened up and looked out over the gated community. He had been waiting for Ivy to show up, he wanted some alone time with her. He couldn't get it when she had shown up at work because she always had two of Noah's guards with her, he felt very frustrated.

Lauren had given him a way to extend his contract with Victor's company and he had already got Victor to sign his home over to him a year ago. It would all come in handy now if only she would show up so he could meet with her. He wanted quality time with her so he could explain and win her back. He had to try, he could no longer sit back and do nothing.

"Standing looking out the window will not make her arrive faster, come drink with me we can have some fun," Lauren called out to Cole.

Cole was disgusted with her and himself, "I would not go near you if you were the last girl on this earth. I am only here with you to get a chance with Ivy."

"Ivy… Ivy… Ivy. That's all I ever hear from you, Noah the tabloids, who cares. Why is she so special? I don't see it!" Lauren was furious she lifted up a mounted photo frame and threw it at Cole.

Cole dodged and looked over at Lauren she was acting like a spoilt sociopath and he was losing his patience with her. His hands formed fists and his veins stood out prominently.

Lauren noticed his stance and laughed, "What? Angry I insulted your princess? She is Noah's sl*t now." Lauren shouted.

"Be very careful what you say about Ivy in front of me, I don't want you to mention her name again in my presence you are not fit to even utter her name." Cole held in his anger but his chest rose and fell quickly.

"Ivy, Ivy, Ivy… Agh!" Lauren felt two strong hands wrap around her throat tightly and her body dangled from the ground, she wheezed and struggled under Cole's strength.

In a deep cold voice, Cole uttered, "I thought I told you never to speak her name again!"

Cole held Lauren off the floor and he watched the fear in her eyes, he then realised he was touching her and he threw her down. He walked away and went to the kitchen, washing his hands and then he returned to the living room. He watched Lauren on the floor struggling for breath but he felt nothing, not even remorse.

He walked to the window and then he saw it a pair of headlights heading in their direction. He hoped this was his chance.