Chapter 121

Thea leaned back and said indifferently, "You can't interfere in anything I do, to begin with. Mrs. Rowland, have you forgotten what I said to you yesterday?" Ivy, who had been chattering, fell silent. She frowned, looking puzzled as if struggling to recall something. Thea smiled. "At the time, you weren't even paying attention to me."

Fortunately, Ivy remembered eventually. Her expression darkened, and her voice was laced with anger. "I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said yesterday. How can you live without your family? Who will support you unconditionally? Thea, you don't have to disappoint your family completely for a man."

Thea scoffed. "Unconditional support? Aren't you constantly stabbing me in the back? No matter what happens, you suspect me first. When have you ever truly believed in me? Give me one example, and I'll immediately distance myself from Nicolas." Ivy stood up angrily, but as she opened her mouth, she realized she couldn't find an example. She searched her memories and realized there had never been a time when her family didn't immediately assume Thea was responsible for any problem.

Ivy felt aggrieved. She blamed Thea's disobedience. "If she had listened to me, I wouldn't have thought of her that way!" Thea understood Ivy's unspoken thoughts. Seeing no point in further conversation, Thea stood up.

"Emmalie can pursue Nicolas if she can. Even if I break up with Nicolas, it won't change anything because he doesn't like her. Do you think he'll fall for Emmalie if I leave? If he had feelings for her, he would have shown it long ago. Why make things difficult for me?" Thea turned and left.

Ivy, her heart aching with anger, wanted to speak, but Thea anticipated this. "Don't use your family to pressure me. I won't go back. Don't try to send me away. You know Nicolas's methods well." Ivy trembled. "Thea, you can give up on us, but don't you want what your grandfather left you?"

Thea shuddered and turned sharply to Ivy. Ivy's expression changed, realizing her mistake.

"What did Grandpa leave me? So the inheritance is real?" Thea asked.

Ivy sat back awkwardly, feigning anger and ignoring her. She didn't know how to answer.

Chapter 121

Heartbreak and fury consumed Thea. Ever since the Rowlands disliked her as a child, she'd lived with her grandfather at the Howland mansion. Her grandfather was old, and the Rowlands rarely visited. Thea and her grandfather relied on each other. Before he died, he mentioned leaving something for her when she turned twenty-six. Now, seeing Ivy, Thea sensed something more sinister.

"Don't tell me you want to give Emmalie what Grandpa left me. You're trying to send me away to get the money, right?" Thea asked.

The more Thea considered it, the colder and more terrified she felt. She'd thought her family disliked her without reason, but it was a scheme. They wanted to exploit her for Emmalie's benefit. Tears welled in her eyes, but her gaze remained cold.

Ivy's face burned under Thea's stare. "Did I say I wanted to give everything to Emmalie? Your siblings are Grandpa's grandchildren too. Why should I give everything to you? Your grandfather wasn't of sound mind when he made that decision. When the time comes, it will be allocated fairly. You'll receive your share. Rest assured."

Thea laughed angrily. "Why should Emmalie get anything? Did she ever show him filial piety? She never even visited him. This is Grandpa's gift to me. He supported you greatly, but only left something for me. Are you going to take it? Besides, I've barely used your money since junior high, unlike Emmalie. You've spent so much on her, and now you want me to share Grandpa's inheritance? Is that fair?"

Ivy slapped Thea hard, her face cold with anger. "Thea, don't be selfish! You're greedy! You disgust me! How could I have given birth to a daughter like you?"

Ivy's loud voice attracted attention. She felt a sense of control over Thea. Unmoved, Thea smiled. "Since you said so, wouldn't I be letting you down if I didn't do this? Grandpa said everything was mine. Don't even think about taking a cent. At most, I'll see you in court."

Ivy pointed. "You want to sue your parents? Do you even have a heart? If I'd known you'd become like this, I wouldn't have given birth to you."

Thea didn't turn around, leaving only a resolute back. After she left, Emmalie approached Ivy, looking sullen.

Chapter 121

When she turned to look at Ivy, the… (The passage ends abruptly here)