Chapter 16: Unveiling the Plot

"Here you are," Tristan announced, not bothering to lift his gaze as the sound of footsteps approached, instead pushing a glass of red wine across the table. "Sit. Make it quick, I'm rather preoccupied." Gone were the days when Ivy would entertain Tristan with pleasantries. Now, she couldn't bear to waste a minute more on this so-called father. "I am your father," Tristan sighed heavily, a gesture meant to convey sincerity but to Ivy, it reeked of falsehood and pretense. "I'll be on my way if there's nothing else," Ivy said, turning to leave. Yet, Tristan's voice halted her steps once more. "There's something about your mother's past I need to discuss with you," he stated, his tone as detached as if he were discussing a stranger's tale. Despite her disdain, Ivy paused, then turned and took a seat. "Five minutes," she declared, setting a timer on her phone with a definitive tap. "You have four minutes and fifty seconds left." Tristan, unfazed, chuckled lightly. "You're as impatie