Taylor had no idea how fast Xander had driven to the bar, but the moment they stepped inside, the scene before them left him stunned.

Ivy was fast asleep, her head resting on her folded arms on the table.

Across from her, Lola was engaged in a heated argument with Sal about something neither Taylor nor Xander could immediately understand.

The words coming out of her mouth were technically coherent, but it was painfully obvious that she was completely drunk.

"Miss Lola," Taylor called cautiously.

Both Lola and Sal turned toward him.

The moment Sal recognized him, relief flooded his face.

"Thank goodness, Assistant Taylor!" he exclaimed, nearly jumping out of his seat. "I can’t deal with these two anymore."

Taylor glanced at Ivy, who hadn’t even stirred.

Sal dragged a hand down his face.

"Coming here with them was the worst decision I’ve made all week."

He had at least expected Ivy to stay sober. After all, Raven could drink almost anyone under the table, so he had assumed Ivy would be similar.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

As for Lola...

Sal didn’t even know where to begin.

The woman had spent the last hour ranting about a group of girls who had been harassing Ivy online. Somewhere in the middle of her drunken outrage, she had somehow convinced herself that Sal was one of Kevin’s toxic fans and had started verbally attacking him.

"I am not his fan!" Sal protested for what felt like the hundredth time.

"That’s exactly what a fan would say!" Lola pointed at him accusingly.

Sal looked ready to cry.

When he finally realized the situation was beyond saving, he had tried calling Xander.

Unfortunately, Lola had snatched the phone out of his hand before he could finish the call.

"You are not allowed to call backup!" she had declared dramatically. "This is a private investigation."

At that point, Sal had genuinely questioned every life choice that had led him to this moment.

Now that Xander was standing in front of her, Taylor silently prayed that the situation wouldn’t get any worse.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

Lola squinted at Xander for a few seconds.

Then her eyes widened.

"Oh."

The entire bar suddenly felt much quieter.

A second later, Lola clapped both hands over her ears and lowered her head.

"I’m sorry," she mumbled. "I failed to protect Ivy today from those girls."

The unexpected apology made Xander frown.

At first, he assumed she was referring to the online harassment. But something in her tone suggested there was more to the story than that.

Lola sniffed before lifting her head again.

"But don’t worry!" she declared, her mood shifting instantly. "Ivy taught them a lesson today."

A proud grin spread across her face as she puffed out her chest.

"And I promise they won’t be bothering her again anytime soon."

Sal’s eyes widened.

"Lola," he said carefully, "I think it’s time for you to go home."

Lola immediately shot him a glare.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

She pointed an accusing finger at him.

"You’re one of them."

Sal froze.

"One of who?"

"The enemy."

"The—what enemy?"

"The toxic fans!" Lola exclaimed as if it were obvious. "And you’re going to pay for it."

Sal’s face visibly paled.

"Assistant Taylor, Mr. Xander, I swear I have no idea what she’s talking about."

Taylor pressed his lips together, struggling not to laugh.

Unfortunately for Sal, Lola looked completely convinced by her own accusations.

While the argument continued, Xander’s attention drifted back to Ivy.

She hadn’t moved once during the entire exchange.

Her head remained resting on her folded arms, completely unaware of the chaos around her.

The sight made his expression soften almost imperceptibly.

Without another glance at the ongoing argument, he spoke calmly.

"You two take Miss Lola home."

Taylor immediately straightened.

"Yes, Boss."

Before either Taylor or Sal could say another word, Xander stepped forward and carefully slipped one arm beneath Ivy’s knees and the other around her back.

Then he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

Ivy stirred slightly at the movement.

A soft frown appeared on her face before she instinctively leaned closer against his chest, seeking warmth even in her sleep.

Xander’s jaw tightened.

The irritation and tension that had followed him into the bar disappeared the moment he looked down at her.

"Let’s go."

Taylor nodded quickly.

As Xander carried Ivy toward the exit, Sal let out a relieved breath.

For a moment, he thought the nightmare was finally over.

Then Lola pointed at Xander’s retreating back.

"If you make her cry, I’ll find you."

Sal closed his eyes.

Taylor sighed.

Xander didn’t even break stride.

Only the faintest hint of amusement flickered across his face before he disappeared through the doors with Ivy safely in his arms.

The cool night air greeted them the moment they stepped outside.

Taylor quickly moved ahead to open the rear door of the car.

Xander carefully lowered Ivy onto the seat.

The moment he tried to pull away, a small hand suddenly grabbed the front of his shirt.

Everyone froze.

Even Ivy seemed unaware of what she was doing.

Still asleep, she tightened her grip and frowned slightly.

"Don’t go..."

The soft murmur was barely audible.

Yet in the silence of the night, every word was heard clearly.

Taylor immediately looked away.

The bodyguards standing nearby suddenly became very interested in anything except their boss.

Xander’s gaze remained fixed on Ivy.

Her eyes stayed closed, her breathing steady.

She wasn’t awake.

She hadn’t even realized what she had said.

For a few seconds, nobody moved.

Then Xander calmly sat beside her and gently loosened her fingers from his shirt.

Only after making sure she was comfortable did he pull a blanket from the car and drape it over her.

"Drive."

"Yes, Boss."

The vehicle smoothly pulled away from the curb.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the parking lot, Taylor and Sal were facing a completely different battle.

"Lola, your car is this way."

"No."

Sal pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What do you mean, no?"

"I’m going with Ivy."

"You are not."

"I am."

"You are not."

Lola crossed her arms stubbornly.

Taylor looked equally exhausted, but for Lola all his tiredness flew out of the window.

"Miss Lola, Ivy is safe."

Lola narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"How do you know?"

"Because she’s with Mr. Xander."

For a brief moment, Lola seemed to consider that.

Then she nodded.

"Okay."

Taylor nearly sighed in relief.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t finished.

"But if he dare hurts her, I’ll help her hide the body."

Sal choked, whereas Taylor could only imagine Lola and Ivy carrying Xander’s heavy body.