For Clara, teaching Ivy a lesson wasnât urgent; her own face mattered the most right now.
After Clara had retreated to the kitchen, Tessa yanked Ivy up from the couch with a forceful tug. âIvy, how can you be so heartless? I asked you to entertain Vincent for your sister, but not only did you slack off, you came back and hit her? Do you have any idea how important your sisterâs face is? Sheâs going to make a living with it!â
Ivy lifted her head, giving Tessa a cold stare.
This woman was her biological mother, yet all her maternal love was showered upon Clara, who wasnât even related by blood. All the grievances were reserved for Ivy, her own flesh and blood!
She wasnât fit to be her mother! Not in the least!
âWhat she relies on to make a living is none of my business,â Ivy snapped, pushing away her motherâs hand and scoffing at her. âHer career has nothing to do with me. If she wants to make it in showbiz, she should hustle and grab her own opportunities. Why should I have to sacrifice for her?â
Tessa was taken aback by Ivyâs retort, rendered speechless for a moment. She reached out to slap some sense into Ivy, but her hand was deflected. âEnough! Donât ever think you can hit me again for Claraâs sake!â
With that, Ivy shook off her grip, nearly causing Tessa to lose her balance and fall to the ground. âMom, Iâve done my duty by you, but you donât deserve to be called my mother!â
âIvy, are you rebelling now?â Finn, who had been silent, couldnât hold back any longer and stood up, beginning to curse at her. âTessa is your biological mother, and this is your attitude? Youâre out of your mind!â
At his words, Ivy let out a scornful laugh. âMom? My âbiological motherâ is the one whoâd gladly throw me into another manâs bed to help Clara snatch opportunities with my body? What kind of mother is that! I used to be compliant, thinking you were my family and that I should listen to you, but Iâm not a fool! I wonât let you trample over me like this!â
âSince youâve already slept with other men, why does it matter this time? Helping your sister land some deals, and when she makes it big, you can ride her coattails,â Tessa said, disappointment written all over her face. âIvy, I thought you had more sense than this. How could you turn out like this?â
Ivy hadnât expected such words to come from her own mother. Even though she no longer considered her as a mother, the words still sent a chill down her spine.
Just then, Clara came out of the kitchen with an ice pack. âIvy, how can you speak to Dad and Tessa like that? Are you even their daughter? Youâre downright rebellious and unfilial!â
âI can stop being their daughter as well,â Ivy said with a bitter smile, looking coldly at Tessa. âStarting today, I am no longer your daughter. Letâs sever our mother-daughter relationship.â
As Ivy attempted to leave, Tessa intercepted her. âSever ties? Itâs not that simple! Ivy, weâve spent a fortune raising you all these years. Do you think you can just walk away without giving anything back? I wonât allow it, and neither will your father!â
Ivy scoffed. Tessa wasnât concerned about losing her daughter; what worried her was not getting a return on her investment.
âHow much money, then? Name your price! Iâll repay every cent you spent on raising me. After that, donât come looking for me.â
If money could solve the problem with them, Ivy was more than willing.
Clara sneered disdainfully, eyeing Ivy. âIvy, who gave you the gall to talk big? Do you have any idea how much money Dad has spent on you over the past twenty years? How much do you have to your name? How will you pay it back?â