"Ivy, how much longer do you need to get dressed? We're going to be late!"
Her mother's voice sounded from downstairs.
Ivy paused as she was putting on her earring, turned around, and shouted back,
"Just a minute, Mom!"
"Good, come quickly and don't forget to bring the gift!"
Ivy quickly finished with her earrings and applied some light makeup. She wore a long yellow dress with flower patterns, and for jewelry, she only wore her earrings.
Yet she looked no less stunning than a model, with her delicate features and slim figure.
She smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
With one last glance, she picked up her father's gift and went downstairs.
Her full name is Ivy Lannister and today, she and her mother were going to the Lannister Estate to celebrate her father Edgar Lannister's birthday.
Wait—you're probably wondering why they don't live in her father's house, right?
Well, here's the thing.
Her father and mother were childhood friends who eventually fell in love and wanted to get married. But Ivy's grandmother, Edith Lannister, opposed the marriage because Ivy's mother came from a middle-class family. Edith wanted her son to marry a woman from high society. She threatened him—if he refused to marry Regina, the daughter of a well-known businessman, she would kill Serina, Ivy's mother.
Edgar was furious, but he couldn't do anything. To protect Serina, he reluctantly agreed to marry Regina.
But Edgar couldn't forget Serina, even two years into his marriage. One day, he got drunk, went to Serina's house, and they got swept up in their emotions, sharing a night together. That's how Ivy was conceived.
When Serina found out she was pregnant, she decided to never marry. She raised Ivy as a single mother. Edgar, however, never neglected them. He provided a separate house for them and often sent gifts and daily necessities.
Edgar's wife and their legitimate children didn't like Ivy or Serina.
Ivy and her mother rarely visited the Lannister Estate. But today was different—it was her father's birthday, and she had never missed it.
"Mom, I'm ready. Let's go."
"Coming!"
Ivy picked up the keys to her Mercedes-Benz, a birthday gift from her father last year that cost thousands of dollars.
Her mother quickly stepped out of the house and got into the car. Ivy started the engine, and they soon drove off onto the highway.
…
After half an hour of driving, they arrived at the massive Lannister Estate. Dozens of luxury cars were already lined up in front of the mansion. People in designer clothes were stepping out, showing their invitations to the guards before entering.
But Ivy didn't stop at the entrance. When the gatekeeper recognized her car, he quickly opened the gate, and she drove straight to the parking lot.
In the Lannister household, Edgar had strictly instructed every servant to treat Ivy and her mother with the same respect given to other members of the family.
When Ivy and her mother entered the grand ballroom, they saw tens of tables already filled with guests, chatting and laughing. The dim lighting gave the place an old-world charm.
"Edgar Lannister, happy birthday!"
As Ivy approached her father, she heard a businessman congratulating him.
"Thank you, Mr. Ernesto."
Ernesto. She'd heard that name before. The man looked about her father's age… but this wasn't the time to dwell on it.
"Dad!"
Edgar heard his daughter's cheerful voice and turned around. The man next to him also turned.
"Is she your daughter, Levina, Edgar?"
Ivy looked surprised—right, she'd almost forgotten. She and her half-sister Levina look nearly 90% identical. They could be mistaken for twins if not for the fact that they had different mothers.
They both resemble their father—like two female versions of Edgar.
Many people didn't know about Ivy because she rarely made public appearances, whereas her half-sister loved social events.
Edgar smiled awkwardly but didn't clarify. Instead, he turned to his daughter.
"Forgive us, Mr. Ernesto. May I have a private moment with my daughter, please?"
Mr. Ernesto nodded. "Of course." And he left.
Edgar, Ivy, and Serina walked to a quiet table and sat down.
"Ivy, why are you so late? I've been waiting for you to cut the cake!"
"Dad, I'm really sorry. I had a case to handle—that's why I'm late."
"And happy birthday, Dad!" She hugged him cheerfully.
"Hahaha, thank you, my lovely daughter."
Edgar laughed and hugged her back warmly.
"Happy birthday, Edgar," Serina added politely.
"Thank you, Serina." They smiled awkwardly at each other.
Once lovers, Edgar and Serina had long moved on after his marriage and family responsibilities. Time created distance. Only Ivy continued to tie them together.
"Here, I got this for you."
Serina handed him a gift box.
He took it and thanked her again.
"Dad, why don't you open it?"
"Should I?" he asked, glancing at Serina.
"Of course, Dad! Open it. I want to see too—Mom didn't even tell me what she got you."
"All right…" he trailed off as he unwrapped the gift. When he saw what was inside, he was visibly surprised—a tea set, his favorite from his younger days.
He looked at Serina. "Serina… you still remember my favorite tea?"
"Don't look at me like that," she said, folding her arms and raising her chin. "I just happened to come across it in a supermarket and remembered you liked that tea."
Ivy giggled quietly behind her hand, watching her parents interact.
"Ah… of course," Edgar murmured, touched.
"And aren't you going to give me anything, Ivy? You haven't forgotten, right?" He turned to her with a teasing tone.
"Of course not, Dad! How could I? But not now—it's a secret. I'll give it to you after you cut the cake."
"Alr—"
"Look who we have here. Isn't it my dear Little sister?"
Before Edgar could say anything, came his other daughter's almost mocking tone.
Edgar sighed.
Ivy furrowed her brows. Not today again...
She was almost 26 now, and her half-sister was just a year older.
All three turned their heads to face Levina.
"It's nice to meet you, older sister," Ivy said, deliberately stressing the word 'older.'
Levina's smile tightened, though she didn't show her irritation.
"I see you're getting bold these days," she said through gritted teeth.
Ivy widened her smile. "I've always been this bold, older sister. It's not my fault you lack vision."
"You—"
"Enough, both of you," Edgar cut in.
They glared at each other but stayed silent.
Then Levina got an idea.
"Dad, look what I got you," she said, jingling a key in the air.
"You bought me a car?" Edgar raised an eyebrow.
She lifted her chin, casting a smug glance at Ivy. "Yes, Dad. And not just any car—I bought you a Ferrari! I've been saving for months to get it. Isn't it a great gift?"
Ivy knew she was trying to show her up with that extravagant gift.
"You didn't have to buy me a car. A simple thing is eno—"
"Edgar, the guests are waiting. Aren't you going to cut the cake?"
This time, his wife interrupted.
Edgar blinked, realizing he had forgotten. "Right, it's time."
He glanced at Ivy and Serina again. "I'm going up on stage now, okay?"
Ivy nodded, and he walked away.
The room remained dimly lit, making it hard to see people clearly from a distance. Ivy and her mother were seated at the far back table.
Levina and her mother raised their chins mockingly at Ivy before leaving.
Ivy and Serina exchanged a glance and giggled softly.