Mr. and Mrs. Dunhill were the kind of parents that made local gossip rags seem like they were reporting mundane everyday life. It was unheard of, unfathomable even, that their daughter hadnât received an ounce of parental affection despite both parents being alive and well. Instead, she was exploited as a sacrificial offering for her elder sisterâs benefit-a tale both pitiful and tragic.
âDo you really think handing over that three million today will make them keep their word and leave you alone? Based on your description of them, it seems that once they discover they can extract money from you, theyâll only tighten their grip on you in the future.â
Balfourâs cautionary words froze Ivy in her tracks. She had hoped that this hefty sum would close the chapter on her dealings with the Dunhills, but Balfour knew the familyâs character all too well. The scenario he painted was all too plausible.
The Dunhills were insatiable in their greed. Once they got a whiff of money coming from Ivy, theyâd surely tighten their grip, seeing her as nothing more than a cash cow!
âIâve got to run. Quinton will be in touch,â Balfour said before abruptly ending the call.
Ivy was left somewhat bewildered.
What did that mean?
Was Balfour in or out?
Minutes later, her phone buzzed with a call from Quinton.
âIvy, Iâve taken care of what Balfour asked. The legal team has drafted an agreement, and Iâm sending the digital copy to you. Itâs your call whether to have the Dunhills sign it. Also, could you send me your bank details? Iâll transfer the three million to your account promptly.â
Hearing how Balfour had arranged everything so meticulously, Ivy was taken aback. âUh⦠sure, Iâll send it right over.â
After hanging up, Ivyâs email pinged with the digital agreement from Quinton.
The gist of the agreement was straightforward: upon accepting the three million, Ivy would no longer have any association with the Dunhill family, freeing her from any daughterly duties, and the Dunhill family would no longer be allowed to morally coerce Ivy under any circumstances.
Balfour had indeed thought of everything. With this agreement in hand, Ivy wouldnât be shackled by their demands anymore.
Having sent her bank details to Quinton, she waited for his confirmation before heading to the living room. Ivy tossed her bank card on the table before her parents, declaring, âThere! Three million is in this account. Sign the agreement, and Iâll give you the PIN. Then the moneyâs all yours!â
âYouâve got three million?â Clara looked down her nose at the bank card, skepticism written all over her face. She didnât believe for a second that Ivy had that much money.
Ivy, undeterred by the disbelief, tucked the card back into her purse. âIf you donât trust me, then forget it!â
âHey, hey, Ivy, hold on.â
Tessa, sensing the possibility of losing out on the money, grew anxious and reached out to stop her.
âWeâre just asking, Ivy. But youâve got to prove that you really have the money. How else can we believe you?â
Greed flashed in Tessaâs eyes; she wouldnât let a potential windfall slip through her fingers so easily.
Ivy took a step back, putting space between them. âAnd how would you like me to prove it?â
Clara whipped out her phone, revealing the bankâs customer service number on the screen. âCall the bank and check your balance. Let us see if thereâs really three million in there.â
Without wasting words, Ivy dialed the number. âHi, Iâd like to confirm if thereâs three million in my account.â
âJust a moment, please,â replied the polite bank employee. After verifying Ivyâs identity, they informed her, âMs. Ivy, your account balance has been sent to your phone via text message. Please check your messages.â
Ivy thanked them, ended the call, and showed the text message to her parents. âIs this evidence sufficient for you?â
They peered at the text message confirmation, and the figure was right there. Clara was completely taken aback. âIvy, how on earth do you have three million? What have you done? Where did this money come from?â