Clara thought she hit a nerve with Ivy, but to her surprise, Ivy merely let out a breezy chuckle.
âHeh.â
âWhatâs so funny?â
Clara slammed her hands on the table as Ivy, with an air of feigned confusion, smiled wryly.
âWhy canât I laugh? Sis, you donât seriously still think Iâm that naive little girl from years ago, do you?
Whoâs the one really stuck in the past? Iâve long outgrown the need for the approval youâre harping on about.â
Claraâs smile faltered. âCut the act. Youâre just jealous because youâll never have the love of Tessa and Finn like I do!â
Between the two, it was Clara who seemed more like the provoked one. She kept insisting that Ivy was missing out on Tessa and Finnâs affection.
But Ivy, who had moved past that need, was far from ruffled.
âSo what if I donât have it? Are they supposed to be some kind of big deal? Clara, when will you get it?
Even with their love, look at you now. Tsk, tsk, tsk.â
Though Ivy left her comment hanging, her eyes roamed over Clara in a way that made Claraâs cheeks burn with embarrassment.
âWhat about me now? Iâm doing just fine. Iâve got so many endorsements Iâve lost count. And you?
Youâre stuck in this no-name production, shooting some low-budget flick. Iâm miles ahead. Quit your grandstanding in front of me. Mark my words: one day, my fan base will dwarf yours!â
Ivy simply countered with a mild, âReally?â
The moment Clara obsessively brought up those two people, Ivy knew she had won this battle.
She was no longer the helpless little girl she once was.
After all, you only boast about what you have when you feel its absence, but what Clara flaunted meant nothing to Ivy.
Since when did a Colton movie get described as a no-name production?
Plus, Ivyâs aspirations were never aligned with Claraâs; these endorsements that Clara prized meant nothing to her. What Ivy cared about was delivering quality work to her fans.
Clara, predictably angered by Ivyâs composure, stood up abruptly and began hurling insults.
âStop pretending you donât care in front of me. Weâve lived together long enough for me to know exactly what kind of person you are. Playing the serene actress, are we? Youâre less than nothing right now.
Do you know how much the internet hates you?
When your film is released, itâll flop, I guarantee it. Youâre destined to be box office poison!â Unruffled, Ivy simply looked up at her as one might watch an amusing monkey.
âDid you come here today just to throw a tantrum in front of me?â
It was then that Clara remembered her actual purpose. She had come with the intention of sweet-
talking Ivy into joining her online publicity stunt. She didnât want to give Ivy the satisfaction, but it seemed like the best plan she had.