âSpouting nonsense? Sis, did you forget what you did just last night?â Ivy challenged as she brandished a USB drive like a smoking gun. âItâs okay if youâve forgotten; Iâve got the evidence! Dare to let everyone have a look?â
This was the first time in years that Ivy stood up to her sister Clara with such fiery defiance, and it caught Clara off-guard, her face a mask of shock.
Perhaps it was the knowledge that she had a place to go for the next year that emboldened Ivy, lessening her fear of being kicked out of her family household.
Claraâs complexion paled at the mention of evidence, her tone softening a notch. âIvy, youâve already made a mistake; donât compound it! iâm sure if you just apologize, our mom and dad will forgive you!â
But the more Clara tried to stop her, the more it implied that the evidence in Ivyâs possession was indeed potent.
Ivy turned to Finn, their father. âDad, Iâm your daughter too. Wonât you even give me a chance to prove my innocence?â
It was the first time in years that Finn truly looked at his youngest daughter, and she seemed different from before.
âAlright, Iâll give you a chance. Show us this evidence of yours!â Finn declared.
As Finn asked to see Ivyâs evidence, Clara quickly reached out to grasp his arm. âDad, why look at it?
Ivyâs definitely lying, you shouldnâtâ¦â
âEnough,â Finn interjected. He wasnât particularly fond of Ivy and did have a soft spot for Clara. But this time, he wasnât swayed. âClara, if sheâs lying, she wonât fool me. Letâs see the evidence she claims to have.â
With Finnâs word as the final say, Clara had no choice but to glare venomously at lvy, silently praying that her sister was just bluffing.
The family of four sat down in the living room. Ivy connected the USB to the laptop and opened the first video. âThis is the surveillance footage from last night. Sis said she was heartbroken and asked me to join her at the bar. Once there, she kept pushing drinks on me. Mom, Dad, see for yourselves if Iâm telling the truth!â
Clara was stunned; she hadnât expected Ivy to get hold of the barâs surveillance footage!
However, she quickly regained her composure, putting on a pitiful act. âDad, Mom, I didnât deceive Ivy. I was genuinely upset last night! You know, I had a crush on a celebrity, but he recently went public with a girlfriend, and I was heartbroken. I just wanted my little sister to keep me company.â
âYes, Clara told us all about her crush on that actor What was his name?â Tessa, their mother, chimed in, eager to curry favor with Finn on Claraâs behalf. âClara was hurt, Ivy. Whatâs wrong with spending some time with your sister?â
Watching her own mother comfort Clara, Ivy felt both pain and irony. She had always envied Claraâs position. Her own mother had never comforted her like that.
âIf she just wanted me to drink with her, I wouldnât have minded. But Clara plotted against me, sending me to another manâs bed to exchange favors for her, and then smeared my name, claiming I was someone elseâs mistress. Isnât that too much?â
With that, Ivy played the second video. This clip clearly captured Clara cuddling and laughing with a man, her radiant smile unforced. Vincentâs hand was wrapped possessively around her waist.
âThis⦠thisâ¦â Tessa blinked in disbelief, her gaze shifting to Clara in astonishment.
Clara clenched her fists with a fierce glare directed at Ivy.
Ivy met her sisterâs gaze, struggling to contain the anger within. âDad, Clara claimed I was somebodyâs mistress without any proof. This video clearly shows she was the one forcing drinks on me. Donât you believe me now?â