Ivy spoke as if she were recounting someone else’s story, her face composed, her voice steady from start to finish.

Several times, Rosetta tried to interrupt, but Ivy gave her no opportunity.

“You don’t just not love me–you don’t love Emma or Baillie Windsor, either. Otherwise, you wouldn’t stand by and watch Emma walk into disaster. Not only do you refuse to stop her, you’re actually celebrating.”

“As for why I was the favorite among the three of us, it’s simple: I’m the most talented, the most valuable. All that so-called nurturing was just to make me more useful, more impressive. In the end, everything you did was for your own benefit.”

Jamison stood silent, his face grave.

He hadn’t expected that Ivy would come back from Westshire with such clarity. She must have been holding in these words for a long time, and it couldn’t have been easy.

Seeing her so unnaturally calm, he couldn’t help but ache for her. He rose quietly and moved to her side, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder, wordlessly offering comfort.

Adkins and Rosetta, meanwhile, looked shaken and indignant. Both opened their mouths, as if desperate to explain, but no words came out.

Catching their reaction, Ivy gave a cold, almost pitying smile. “Nothing to say, is there? Because I’ve called out every last one of your intentions.”

“I used to believe there couldn’t be parents in this world who didn’t love their own children. But I believe it now. In your eyes, only profit matters. This isn’t about loving Emma, either. You don’t even love your own flesh and blood–how could you possibly love an adopted daughter? The only reason you’re protecting her is because she’s still useful to you. You’re afraid I’ll do something that might threaten your interests–so you came here to warn me off.”

Rosetta’s eyes snapped up in shock, clearly rattled by Ivy’s words.

But of course, they’d never admit it.

“No, that’s not true!” Rosetta stammered, rushing to deny it. “We’re standing by Emma because she has a conscience–she’s grateful for what we’ve done! Yes, Emma can be petty and jealous, she acts without thinking, but her heart’s in the right place. She’s devoted to this family, and she appreciates everything we’ve given her. She’s considerate and dutiful.”

“And you–” Rosetta’s tone suddenly sharpened, her eyes flashing. “You might be brilliant and accomplished, but you’re also cold. Twenty years of raising you and you just cast us aside! Even if we did expect something in return, so what? Doesn’t every parent hope their children will give back? We brought you up, and you owe us–that’s only right, isn’t it?”

Ivy let out a quiet laugh, her voice unwavering. “Don’t twist things. Treating your child like a commodity, measuring her worth, is not the same as hoping she’ll look after you when she’s grown. Those are two completely different things."

The first is heartless. The second is only human.

“You– Ivy! What utter nonsense!” Adkins, clearly struck to the core and furious, jabbed his finger at her, looking as if he might lash out.

Jamison saw the look in his eyes and instinctively stepped between them.

Ivy only smiled, her expression turning even colder. “What’s the matter? Getting nervous because I hit the mark? Regret raising such a clever daughter now?”

“You–”

The tension in the room was about to snap when, suddenly, a commotion broke out in the ballroom, drawing everyone’s attention.

They all turned to look. A familiar figure was pushing his way inside.

It was Micah Shepherd.

Rosetta’s face changed instantly. “What’s he doing here? Has he actually changed his mind?”

Before she’d even finished speaking, she was already hurrying over to him.

Adkins hurried after them.