Page 192 of Thorns of Malice

I hit the button on the remote, and a slideshow of pictures of John growing up in West Virginia, his time at school, and throughout his career, begins to play.

Ivy's eyes well with tears.

I hand her my handkerchief.

She dabs at her eyes, taking in the video.

I continue, "John Ford was the most creative, intelligent, and advanced botanist who's ever worked for Carrington Enterprises. He was the sole creator of Seducing Ivy. And he was also a wonderful father to his daughter."

I glance at Ivy, and a tear runs down her cheek. She swipes at it with the cloth.

I tug her closer into me and add, "In fact, he gave me a rightfully owed punch in the face one time, trying to protect his daughter from me. He knocked me right to the ground, so I can tell you he had a hell of a right hook too."

The crowd erupts in laughter.

Ivy laughs as well.

I pause for a moment and glance at the man on the screen whom I hated. He hated me just as much, maybe more. Yet he had something so brilliant in his hands.

He didn't know what to do with it. I'm unsure if it was from the fear of success or the fear of spending money. Either way, I'll always maintain he owed it to his daughter to get it out in the world. It's one thing I won't apologize for, but he's owed the credit, not me.

I lie to the reporters. "John wanted me to bring it to market so that Ivy would have the benefits. It was a shame he didn't see everything Seducing Ivy produced before he died. He created a masterpiece and knew we had the resources at Carrington Enterprises to develop his hybrid."

"Why did you claim it was yours?" a reporter shouts.

I continue to fib, knowing the press would be merciless if they ever knew the full truth. I state, "He didn't want his name on it at the time, but now there's no reason to hide it. I've added his name to the patent as well as Ivy's. The ownership has also been transferred to her, as she's the rightful owner."

Ivy's head snaps toward me, and I stare at her. She furrows her eyebrows.

I continue, "All profits from any Seducing Ivy product will fund a trust set up for his daughter, Ivy. Carrington Enterprises will license the patent unless the day comes when Ivy no longer permits us." I turn toward her. "I hope that never happens."

The crowd erupts with laughter again.

Ivy looks overwhelmed with everything she's just heard.

"Anyway, I appreciate all of you coming here, but it was time that the truth was told to the world. In the next year, Carrington Enterprises will license three new hybrids from Ivy Ford. They're all hybrids that John started creating and our researchers continued developing. We're excited about thefuture of Carrington Enterprises and these new hybrids under the supervision of his daughter Ivy. Thank you."

The room erupts with reporters shouting, and I steer Ivy back through the door.

As soon it shuts, she spins toward me. "Where did you get all the information on my father? And those pictures?"

"I told you I have a private investigator. People can find anything on anyone."

"I hadn't even seen some of those photos," she says, tearing up again.

"No?" I question.

She shakes her head. "No. Can I have them?"

"Of course you can. They're yours and in an envelope in the safe in our bedroom," I reveal.

"Thank you." She kisses me, then pulls back, asking, "Why didn't you tell me you were going to make that announcement?"

I shrug. "I thought it'd be better if you were surprised."

She arches an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Yep," I say, then chuckle. "I like it when you don't know what's coming, but it's a good thing."

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