Balfour furrowed his brow as he shielded Ivy behind him.
"Didn't you get enough of a lesson last time that you still dare to show up here again, spewing your lies so shamelessly?"
Clara shivered a bit in the presence of such a towering man.
But then it struck her how nauseating it was that such a fine specimen of a man was so willingly giving his heart to Ivy, and a wave of disgust washed over her.
"Don't you find it repulsive to be with this woman? She's the type to just toss her own mother aside and not give a hoot. From what I gather, you've got elders in your family, don't you? Aren't you scared she'll do the same to your grandparents?"
Ivy couldn't fathom where Clara got the idea that she was someone who would neglect all her elders.
Yet, the deep hatred in Clara's words was palpable.
Even with Balfour standing in front of her, Ivy couldn't resist snapping back, "Ms. Dunhill, aren't you sticking your nose a bit too far into my business? What I do with the Howards' grandma and grandpa is none of your concern. You're reaching too far."
Clara's jealousy churned in her stomach as she sneered at Ivy's audacity to call them grandma and grandpa.
"Abandoning your own mother and yet you have the nerve to call others grandma and grandpa? You've got some thick skin. Ivy, if I were your mother and knew I'd have a heartless and ungrateful daughter like you, I would have nipped it in the bud when you were still in your cradle!"
I can't fathom it. How much time would it really take out of your day? I think you’ve finished the film, right, Ms. Big Shot Actress? Can't you spare a sliver of your time for your mother? Seeing you could lift her spirits and help her recover faster!"
Ivy exchanged a glance with Balfour. Even they weren't dense enough to miss the problems in Clara's tirade.
She painted Ivy as a callous and heartless daughter, yet the truth was far from Clara's accusations, especially since she herself hadn't visited Tessa at all.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you're going to be that stubborn, then I have to set you straight. When exactly did you drop by to see her? Even now, as you block my way, have you peeked into her room? And what about Finn? Other than dumping her in this hospital, has he bothered to visit? He wouldn't even consider sending her to a better facility. What exactly are you all playing at? Are you just waiting for her to wither away in this godforsaken place?"
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