Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Why is Little Uncle Here Too?
"I doubt it. The Blackwoods probably won’t even show up, let alone Quentin Blackwood. Considering his status, the Scott Family couldn’t get close to him even if they tried."
The Scott Family may be prominent in Lustre, but they’re still a tier below the Blackwoods.
But the Scott Family had been expanding abroad in recent years. Her older brother had been working overseas and had only just returned.
"That’s good." As long as Quentin Blackwood and the rest of the Blackwoods stayed away, Ivy wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.
Nina Scott quickly did Ivy’s makeup. Who wouldn’t envy such flawless, supple skin?
Ivy was already beautiful without makeup; now she looked even more stunning and animated.
"Ivy, if I were a man, I would absolutely marry you!"
"If you were a man, I’d absolutely marry you, too!"
By the time the two of them left the studio, it was already evening.
Nina brought Ivy to the Scott family home. The moment she arrived, she was met with a barrage of criticism. "Nina, where have you been gallivanting these past few days? I suppose you’ve decided you don’t need me as your mother anymore!"
Mrs. Scott thoroughly disliked this daughter, considering her completely inconsiderate.
Though she was her own flesh and blood, Nina was unbearably dull. She’d been unable to learn anything since she was a child, and after being brought home, she showed no affection for her mother whatsoever—completely unlike her adopted daughter, Yara.
Yara stood beside Mrs. Scott with graceful composure. "Mom, don’t be angry. You’re the star tonight. Nina just likes to have a little fun."
Mrs. Scott glared at Nina, her face a mask of disgust.
Yara, on the other hand, was different. She had been brilliant since childhood, a quick study who could master anything instantly. She was the real pride of the Scott family.
Seeing this, Nina felt a surge of irritation. It was as if she were just an outsider, completely unable to fit into this home.
Nevertheless, she took out the gifts she had prepared. One was a cake she had made herself, and the other was a pair of jade earrings that Mrs. Scott had always wanted.
They were antiques. The last time Mrs. Scott saw them, she had casually mentioned wanting them, so Nina had called in numerous favors to finally get them before her mother’s birthday.
Nina first presented the cake she had made, but Mrs. Scott was visibly displeased.
"Nina, after all the years I spent raising you, this is what you give me for my birthday?"
"It’s okay, Mom. Nina is probably just feeling resentful. Besides, it’s not like she’s your only daughter. I prepared a gift for you, too." Yara took out her own gift, a jadeite necklace. "You love jadeite the most, and this piece is all-natural."
"See? My darling daughter is the thoughtful one. Mommy loves your gift. Not like some people... after raising them for so many years, they’re not even willing to spend a dime!" Mrs. Scott glared at Nina, then waved dismissively at a nearby servant. "Take this cake away. I wouldn’t be caught dead eating a cake this cheap."
It was her mother’s birthday, after all, so Nina said nothing. Nor did she try to retrieve the cake she had worked so hard to make.
But she tightened her grip on the earrings hidden in her palm. ’My mother doesn’t deserve these at all!’
Just as the servant was taking the cake to be thrown out, Ivy stopped her.
"Give me the cake." Ivy held out her hand.
The servant looked at Mrs. Scott, then at Ivy.
Ivy took the cake directly from the servant’s hands. She knew how hard Nina had worked the past few days to learn how to bake it. She knew Nina desperately wanted to fit into this family and earn her mother’s affection.
Emotional cruelty is the most lethal weapon.
"This is a cake Nina made herself; you can’t buy it anywhere. Since you don’t like it, then at least don’t trample on her heartfelt gesture." Ivy came over and took Nina’s hand.
"You... Who are you? This is our family’s business. What right do you have to interfere?" Mrs. Scott said, staring at Ivy. ’Who is this beautiful woman?’ she wondered. ’Why have I never seen her before?’
"Let’s go," Nina said, pulling Ivy away. She had delivered her gift; it was her own mother who refused it.
"That Nina, she has no manners whatsoever! Does she even see me as her mother? Absolutely lawless!" Mrs. Scott’s verbal abuse trailed after them.
And Yara’s placating voice followed. "Mom, isn’t she always like this? She’s never seen herself as one of the Scotts. On the contrary, she acts as if the family owes her something."
"How have I wronged her? Haven’t I been good enough to her?" Mrs. Scott boomed.
A glint of a smile flashed in Yara’s eyes. "She’s the one who’s being childish. Don’t get so angry you make yourself sick."
Nina pulled Ivy aside, her gaze fixed on Yara. "See? Yara is just so clever. She’s known how to curry favor with her since we were children. Mom just loves her type."
Her gaze fell. "Anyway, she just doesn’t like me. No matter what I do, it’s always wrong in her eyes."
Ivy ruffled Nina’s hair. "Who says? We don’t live our lives for anyone else. In my heart, Nina is the best. Ignore her. I want the cake she rejected, and I’m going to eat all of it later!"
Nina was deeply moved. "Ivy, you’re the best!"
Her friendship with Ivy had begun shortly after she was taken back in by the Scott family. At a Scott family banquet, while others thought she was ill-mannered, only Ivy had extended a hand and pulled her aside.
Although Nina said out loud that she didn’t care, her gaze couldn’t help but drift in that direction.
She watched Yara stand beside Mrs. Scott, snuggled up against her as if they were the biological mother and daughter.
The Scotts were busy greeting newly arrived guests, leaving Ivy and Nina in a corner by themselves.
Ivy was watching the entrance out of boredom when she was surprised to see Silas Blackwood arrive with Anna Nash.
"Nina, didn’t you say the Blackwoods wouldn’t be coming?"
"Huh? The Blackwoods have never come to my mom’s birthday before, not once. They’re probably only here this time because my brother is taking over the family business. But what is Silas Blackwood thinking, daring to parade his mistress around in public!"
Nina wanted nothing more than to charge over and claw the faces off that scumbag and his mistress. How dare they humiliate her Ivy so publicly?
Doesn’t everyone know that Ivy is Silas Blackwood’s fiancée? Yet here he was, attending a banquet with another woman on his arm.
Ivy saw them, too. Anna Nash was holding Silas Blackwood’s arm, practically nestled in his embrace.
She looked as delicate as a flower in the wind. Anna Nash was the classic damsel-in-distress type, able to easily stir a man’s protective instincts.
Ivy’s expression, however, remained placid. Silas Blackwood’s appearance had no discernible effect on her.
"Let them. The bigger the scene Silas makes, the better."
’It would give her a better chance of breaking off the engagement.’
’Besides, the way I look now, no one should be able to recognize me as Ivy Sherwood.’
Just as Ivy lowered her gaze, Nina excitedly poked her arm. "Ivy, look quick! That man is gorgeous!"
Ivy lifted her gaze and looked toward the entrance.
When she got a clear look at the tall man’s face, Ivy’s pupils constricted. ’Why is Uncle here, too?!’
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