Chapter 8: Continue Being the Undutiful Daughter

Although Ivy had spent the morning at the company, her first day had been light on actual work, leaving her in a rather pleasant mood upon returning home. Humming a tune, she parked her car and made her way towards the house, soon greeted by the enticing aroma of dinner. "Aunt Gwendolyn's timing with dinner is spot on today," Ivy muttered under her breath as she pushed the door open, only to find an unexpected gathering around the dining table. At the sound of the door, Tristan and his two companions turned their heads in unison. "Sister's back," Elise chimed in with feigned innocence, rising to fetch an extra set of cutlery for Ivy. "No need," Ivy's previously good mood vanished, leaving a trail of gloom, "With those spindly arms and legs of yours, another tumble in the kitchen is the last thing I need." Elise immediately lowered her gaze, biting her lip in a display of muted grievance she dared not voice. "Ivy!" Tristan slammed his chopsticks down on the table, his face a portrait of paternal fury, "Elise is only trying to show some care, and this is how you repay your sister's kindness?" "Hmph," Ivy scoffed, arms crossed as she advanced towards the dining table with deliberate steps. A cold glance swept across the table as she spoke, "Has this house lost all sense of who's the host and who's the guest?" "Ivy!" Tristan, already bearing little affection for this daughter, felt his pride wounded in front of Wynn and Elise. What man doesn't cherish his dignity? "Sister!" Elise attempted to reach for Ivy, her hand halting mid-air before retreating, a pitiable sight. "Don't be upset with dad, it's just…" Elise fumbled with the hem of her dress, her expression troubled, "Aunt Gwendolyn invited us for dinner." Aunt Gwendolyn? Ivy's gaze shifted, catching a flicker of panic in Elise's eyes. Wynn, who had remained silent, stood up, pulling her daughter back to her seat with a resentful glance at Ivy, "Regardless, you owe me the courtesy of calling me aunt. Let me say a few words today." Ivy couldn't help but find the woman's presumption amusing but signaled for her to continue. "Our Elise has always been sweet and kind. We'll overlook the past misunderstanding with the Sun family's young master... But now, our considerate maid invites us to dine, and suddenly we're at fault?" "Oh?" Ivy's face lit up with an inscrutable smile as she circled Elise, leaning in to whisper, "When it comes to scheming, little Miss Green Tea here really doesn’t spare even her own family." Her voice, neither too loud nor too soft, ensured everyone at the table heard. This time, not only were Elise and Wynn left mortified, but even Tristan, a grown man, felt a flush of embarrassment. Just as he was about to retort, the sound of the door opening interrupted him. All eyes turned towards the entrance. It was Aunt Gwendolyn, hands full of groceries. "Aunt Gwendolyn, you're back." The moment Aunt Gwendolyn appeared, Ivy clearly noticed the fleeting panic that crossed the faces of the three culprits. She decided to call out once more. Aunt Gwendolyn, busy at the entryway changing shoes, didn't even bother to look up. Hearing Ivy's voice, she mistook it for her return from work, hastily replying, "Ah! Madam, you must be famished. Dinner is ready. I remembered today was your first day at work and couldn't bear to omit your favorite fish dish, so off I went to fetch it for you..." Her words came to an abrupt halt as she looked up. "Sir, what is this...?" Tristan, caught by Aunt Gwendolyn's return, wore a fleeting look of embarrassment and remained silent. Ivy, however, approached, taking the fish from Aunt Gwendolyn's hands with a sweet smile, and inquired, "Aunt Gwendolyn, they claim you suggested they start dinner first?" "Oh my!" Aunt Gwendolyn exclaimed, startled, "Madam, those words never passed my lips." Having been the Ashford's housekeeper for decades and practically watching Ivy grow up, she knew Ivy's temperament like the back of her hand. Ivy's disdain for these people was palpable; not having evicted them was surprise enough, let alone invite them to dine in the main hall, especially before Madam's return. Wynn, who had earlier taken a patronizing tone to lecture Ivy, found herself at a loss for words upon hearing Aunt Gwendolyn's statement, yet stubbornly retorted, "Ivy, even if Aunt Gwendolyn didn't say it, it's just a meal. Surely, you're not... that petty?" Hearing this, Ivy genuinely wanted to lean in and laugh uproariously in her ear. Did this family of three not grasp how unwelcome they were? So what if Ivy was petty? "Since when did The Ashford become a place for you to dictate?!" Ivy shot Wynn a look filled with undisguised disdain and mockery. "Enough!" Tristan slammed his hand on the table, standing up abruptly, with Elise and Wynn scrambling to their feet as well. "Just a meal! Ivy, continue playing the undutiful daughter then!" Tristan, even now, didn't miss a chance to don the facade of a fatherly figure to admonish her. Ivy felt her heart chill by another degree. Soon, Tristan would personally extinguish any remaining affection she had for him. It wouldn't take long. Very soon.