Chapter 1998
Tessa was utterly shell–shocked. For years, she had played her part as the submissive and unassuming member of the Dunhill family, never once stepping out of line or defying the father and the daughter’s wishes.
But to her disbelief, despite her unwavering compliance, Clara still treated her with such contempt!
“Clara, what on earth has gotten into you? I haven’t done anything wrong!” she said. Her voice was trembling as aggrieved tears began to well up in her
eyes.
Clara glared at Tessa’s eyes, which bore a striking resemblance to Ivy’s, and her anger flared even hotter, “Stop your act! Ivy’s become so sly and cunning. It’s all because of your influence!”
Without another thought, Clara grabbed a nearby pitcher and hurled it at Tessa.
Tessa couldn’t dodge in time. “Ah!” she cried out.
The water wasn’t boiling, but it was hot enough to redden her skin as it splashed upon her arm.
Clara, momentarily losing her senses in her rage, sobered up a bit when she saw the reddened skin on Tessa’s arm. A flicker of fear crossed her face, “I…” Despite the pain shooting up her arm, Tessa managed a smile of submission, “Clara, I’m fine, really. Please, don’t be upset. What happened exactly?”
Seeing Tessa in this state took the edge off Clara’s anger. She frowned and looked at Tessa, “Tell me, do you still consider Ivy your daughter at heart?” Without hesitation, Tessa shook her head. “Of course not. After Ivy gave us that hefty sum, she cut off all ties with me. Clara, did Ivy upset you again?”
Clara was satisfied with her response, “Yes, that wretch Ivy set me up today to embarrass me!”
Clara recounted the day’s events in detail to Tessa, “She designed it to humiliate me and even threatened me with surveillance footage. Ivy is despicable.” But Tessa’s mind latched onto something else after she heard that.
When did her seemingly incapable daughter get so rich? Renting a high–end studio, hiring a crowd of extras–could it be that she actually hit the jackpot?
Regret began to gnaw at Tessa for severing ties with Ivy over just three million.
Her daughter might not be good for much, but she had a pretty face after all, so perhaps a wealthy suitor might take interest in her.
In this day and age, even being a mistress to the affluent could bring in a substantial sum for the family.
“Tessa, what are you thinking about?”
Tessa snapped back to reality and looked at Clara with a sycophantic smile, “Nothing much, just figuring out how we can get back at Ivy for you.” That’s more like it!” Clara said, her gaze shifting. “Ivy dared to scheme against me like this today so I’ll make sure she lives to regret it!”
As they spoke, Finn, who walked in, noticed the chaos on the ground with a furrowed brow. “What in the world happened here?” he queried.
Clara tensed at Finn’s voice.
If he found out she had thrown the pitcher at Tessa, he would undoubtedly be furious.
Tessa patted Clara’s hand and stood up with a smile, “Finn, I just had a little accident with the pitcher. I’ll clean it up right away.”
“Clumsy as ever Finn remarked with a glare at Tessa before heading upstairs.
Clara followed him out, “Tessa, as long as you stay loyal to me, you have nothing to worry about. I’ll put in a good word for you with my dad.” Tessa nodded in agreement
