Chapter 1927
“Alright, nice!” Alyssa chuckled heartily, suddenly feeling a surge of appetite wash over her.
After scarfing down her breakfast, Ivy glanced at the clock, realizing it was nearly time to head out. “Grandma, Grandpa, I’m going to meet up with my sister today; she’s got a friend she wants me to meet, so I’ll be stepping out for a bit.” Alyssa’s maternal instincts kicked in, “Do you need Grandma to arrange someone to go along with you, sweetheart?” Shaking her head with a smile, Ivy reassured her, “No need, Grandma. I can handle it.”
Not insist on her suggestion, Alyssa made sure a car was arranged and, after a few words of advice, let Ivy go on her way.
523 08
Settling into the car, Ivy felt a tangle of emotions. It had been a while since she had last encountered her family, and she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to see them again.
Upon arriving at the designated spot, Ivy stepped out of the car but didn’t see anyone from her family in front of the country club.
She dialed up her mom, “Mom, I’m here. Where are you at?”
“Oh, Ivy, we’re stuck in traffic. Might be a little while to get there! You go on in; we’re almost there,” Tessa’s voice sounded flustered and rushed.
Looking at the entrance to the country club, Ivy hesitated, “Mom, I’ve never been to a place like this before. I’ll just wait for you. I don’t even know the owner; it wouldn’t be right for me to barge in alone, not knowing what to say.”
“Ivy, honey, it’s already the time for our appointment now. It’d be terribly rude to stand them up. Please, just go in first. We’ll be right there. You said you’d help Mom out one last time, right? Could you do me a favor?”
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Ivy consented, “Alright, Mom. This is the last time.”
After hanging up, Ivy faced the grand entrance of the country club with a hint of unease.
Something about this situation felt off to her, and it set her on edge.
But she mustered her courage to walk in. This was the last time, and after this, she’d cut all ties with her family!
Stepping into the country club, Ivy located the private room number Tessa had sent her, knocked, and walked in.
There sat a portly middle-aged man, Vincent, the man Tessa mentioned who had a beef with Clara. The same man Clara had nearly tricked Ivy into sleeping with.
“Hello, I’m Clara’s sister, Ivy,” she said cautiously as she stood at the doorway, greeting him with politeness despite her wariness.
Vincent’s greasy smile widened as he stood and approached Ivy, eyeing her appreciatively. “So, you’re Clara’s little sister, huh? Gotta say, you’re even prettier than her!”
His gaze drifted from Ivy’s face down to her chest. “And what a figure, too!”
Ivy, who had deliberately chosen a loose-fitting outfit for the day, wondered where on earth he got the impression her figure was anything to write home about/
Feeling uncomfortable, she suggested,/Vincent, my family should be here shortly. I think I’d rather wait outside for them, then we can all come in together.”
With that, Ivy turned to leave.
But Vincent wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip through his fingers. He quickly stepped up and blocked the door, “Hey now, you’re already here, why leave? No worries, your family will be here any minute. Take a seat and have a drink
with me.”
Ivy sidestepped to keep some distance between them, “Vincent, I don’t drink.”
“Come on, have a seat, just for a bit,” Vincent urged, settling back into his seat and gesturing for Ivy to do the same.
Resigned to the fact that she wouldn’t be leaving easily, Ivy chose the seat furthest from Vincent and sat down.
“Vincent, my parents told me Clara had done something that upset you. We come here today to apologize. Whatever happened before, it wasn’t intentional. Please accept our apologies.”
