Chapter 2474


    Chapter 2474


    But what could she do? She was the stepmother, and it felt like she had to outperform everyone a


    thousandfold just to earn a begrudging ny-nine points of approval.


    Not that she hadn’t harbored resentments, but every time she thought of her husband, she swallowed


    the bitterness and soldiered on in silence.


    Yet, she had never imagined that her sacrifices would ultimately cast her as the viin.


    Why?


    With that thought swirling in her mind, Tessa fainted.


    When Finn found her, the tears on her cheeks were still wet.


    Finn had been a golden boy in his youth, but ever since his father passed away, the Dunhill family took


    a hard hit, and he never quite got back on his feet.


    He wanted to restore the Dunhill family to its former glory, though business acumen was never his


    strong suit.


    At thepany, he struggled just to maintain the status quo, always wary of being outmaneuvered.


    A week had passed before Ivy heard that Tessa was in the hospital. She had already locked down a


    schedule with her studio for a fan meet-and-greet, meticulously nning the gifts she would offer.


    When Evadne brought the news, Ivy’s hands paused over the wrapping of a present.


    “Did they say what’s wrong with her?”


    “They’re saying it’s a stroke. Apparently, she was dyed getting treatment, so she’s not yet regained


    consciousness.”


    Ivy was silent for a long while before finally acknowledging Evadne, who, sensing her mood, said


    nothing more.


    After all, Tessa was Ivy’s mother, and she wanted to see her.


    “If you want to visit her, you can, but Mr. Howard should apany you,” Evadne said coolly.


    “You know how closely you’re being watched right now. You can’t afford not to consider your future


    career.”


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Managing talent like Ivy, with her penchant for stirring up drama, wasn’t exactly Evadne’s preference.


    But since Balfour had given the word, she had no choice but toply.


    Ivy gave a bitter smile. “Don’t worry, Evadne. I won’t go looking for trouble. If I go at all, I’ll pick a time


    when no one’s around.”


    Meanwhile, Mara had arranged a meeting with ra at a secluded coffee shop.


    “Are you sure she’lle?” Mara asked, her trust in the woman across from her far from solid. After all,


    ra wasn’t the brightest and had been outmaneuvered by Ivy more than once.


    “I’m certain. She’s spent her life craving Tessa’s love. Now that her biological mother isid up in the


    hospital, she won’t miss this. And if she doesn’t show, we’ll have plenty of fodder for scandal.”


    If Ivy showed up, they had a story; if not, they could p her with thebel of an ungrateful daughter.


    Mara thought of Ivy drowning in a sea of public contempt and couldn’t help but smirk with malicious


    satisfaction.


    Mara kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with ra. If one had told her half a month ago that


    this was ra, she would haveughed in disbelief.


    In just a few weeks, ra had transformed, her face gaunt where there had been softness before, now


    etched with meanness.


    And with her family’s continuous troubles, ra herself exuded a dark aura.


    Mara had made up her mind. She would join forces with ra just this once to take Ivy down a peg, but


    no more. She couldn’t afford to get too close to someone teetering on the brink of copse, lest she get


    dragged down too.