Tessa was utterly shellâshocked. 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 daughterâs wishes.
But to her disbelief, despite her unwavering compliance, Clara still treated her with such contempt!
âClara, what on earth has gotten into you? I havenât done anything wrong!â she said. Her voice was trembling as aggrieved tears began to well up in her eyes.
Clara glared at Tessaâs eyes, which bore a striking resemblance to Ivyâs, and her anger flared even hotter, âStop your act! Ivyâs become so sly and cunning. Itâs all because of your influence!â
Without another thought, Clara grabbed a nearby pitcher and hurled it at Tessa.
Tessa couldnât dodge in time. âAh!â she cried out.
The water wasnât 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 Tessaâs arm. A flicker of fear crossed her face, âIâ¦â Despite the pain shooting up her arm, Tessa managed a smile of submission, âClara, Iâm fine, really. Please, donât be upset. What happened exactly?â
Seeing Tessa in this state took the edge off Claraâs anger. She frowned and looked at Tessa, âTell me, do you still consider Ivy your daughter at heart?â Without hesitation, Tessa shook her head. âOf course not. After Ivy gave us that hefty sum, she cut off all ties with me. Clara, did Ivy upset you again?â
Clara was satisfied with her response, âYes, that wretch Ivy set me up today to embarrass me!â
Clara recounted the dayâs events in detail to Tessa, âShe designed it to humiliate me and even threatened me with surveillance footage. Ivy is despicable.â But Tessaâs mind latched onto something else after she heard that.
When did her seemingly incapable daughter get so rich? Renting a highâend studio, hiring a crowd of extrasâcould 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.
âTessa, what are you thinking about?â
Tessa snapped back to reality and looked at Clara with a sycophantic smile, âNothing much, just figuring out how we can get back at Ivy for you.â Thatâs more like it!â Clara said, her gaze shifting. âIvy dared to scheme against me like this today so Iâll make sure she lives to regret it!â
As they spoke, Finn, who walked in, noticed the chaos on the ground with a furrowed brow. âWhat in the world happened here?â he queried.
Clara tensed at Finnâs voice.
If he found out she had thrown the pitcher at Tessa, he would undoubtedly be furious.
Tessa patted Claraâs hand and stood up with a smile, âFinn, I just had a little accident with the pitcher.
Iâll clean it up right away.â
âClumsy as ever Finn remarked with a glare at Tessa before heading upstairs.
Clara followed him out, âTessa, as long as you stay loyal to me, you have nothing to worry about. Iâll put in a good word for you with my dad.â Tessa nodded in agreement