Last night, she lost something irreplaceable during what was supposed to be her enchanting âMidnight Masqueradeâ, with a man sheâd never met before. How did it come to this!
Her sister had promised to come back for her last night.
Balfour had thought she was just putting on an act. Wanting to avoid any further entanglement, he casually tossed a credit card onto the bed, âThereâs enough money here to keep you comfortable. Take it and make sure I never see you again!â
Ivy was stunned, feeling deeply humiliated. She snatched up the credit card and threw it back at him, âAs if I want your filthy money!â
She quickly got dressed in the bathroom, came out, took two hundred-dollar bills from her wallet, and flung them at the man, âWeâre square. Last night was just bad luck on my part. Donât you dare come after me!â
Ivy threw his own words back at him and bolted before he could react.
Catching a cab home, Ivy found her sister Clara just about to leave.
Clara was unusually agitated upon seeing Ivy, rushing over and delivering a stinging slap across her face, âIvy, where the hell were you last night?â Just five minutes earlier, Clara, thinking her plan had succeeded, had called Vincent, expecting him to honor his promise and hand over the coveted role.
But Vincent had erupted with fury, âClara, youâve got some nerve asking for a role! Were you playing me? You said your sister was a knockout, irresistible! I spent a whole night at the hotel, itching with anticipation, but no woman showed! You dare to play me? Forget about getting any roles from me ever again!â
Vincent didnât give her a chance to explain, hanging up right after his piece.
Clara had been chewed out and lost a role sheâd been dreaming of, her rage having no place to go until Ivy appeared.
Her sisterâs slap left Ivy dazed, sensing something was terribly wrong, âWhy did you hit me, sis? Didnât you tell me to go to the room you booked and that youâd join me later? But I didnât see you at all this morning!â
âIvy, stop lying! You never went to the room I booked last night!â
Clara glared at her, eyes blazing with anger, âVincent waited for you all night, and you stood him up!
Tell me, where exactly did you go?â
âVincent?â Ivy latched onto the key point, âWhoâs Vincent? Sis, what exactly were you planning for me to do last night?â
Now that sheâd let it slip, Clara saw no point in hiding, âVincent is the financier of the show âDreamlikeâ.
My plan was for you to spend a night with Vincent and in return, Iâd get the lead role. But thanks to you, itâs all ruined.â
Ivy finally understood the events of last night. Clara hadnât been heartbroken and looking for a drinking buddy. It had all been a ruse!
âSo, you sold me out last night, is that it?â Ivy felt a piercing pain in her heart, her eyes beginning to sting, âSis, I always saw you as my sister, how could you do this to me!â
Clara was momentarily taken aback by her outburst but quickly retorted, âSo what if I did? Youâve always been the spare in our family. Being of use to help me is an honor for you!â
Tears streamed down Ivyâs cheeks. Even though they were half-sisters and Clara often bullied her, Ivy had always regarded her as her real sister. But to her sister, Ivy was nothing more than a commodity to be traded at will.
Amid their quarrel, a black luxury sedan pulled up. A man in a sleek black suit got out.
He approached them, glanced at a photograph in his hand, then fixed his gaze on Ivy, âYouâre Ivy, right? Mr. Howard sent me to pick you up.â
âMr. Howard?â Ivy racked her brain but couldnât recall knowing anyone by that name.