Chapter 8: The Clever Little One

Ivy saw the scene and could only think of one word: pretentious!

She turned to leave, eager to find her son and get out. The situation was too dangerous; if Dillan saw her, it would be disastrous.

But Kay suddenly called out to her, "Ivy, would you mind dining with us?"

"You've already eaten," Dillan frowned.

Kay smiled sweetly, "But you haven't. You never eat on time, and it's bad for your stomach. Since Ivy is here, let's have a meal together. Even if you're separated, you can still be friends."

Ugh...

She was the veritable queen of the feigningly innocent types. Her brazenness knew no bounds.

Ivy refused without hesitation, "Sorry, I decline. I don't want to eat with you."

"Ivy, haven't you moved on from this relationship? You should know that love can't be forced. What's the point of clinging to a man who doesn't love you?" Kay said.

Ivy was speechless.

Suppressing her anger, she smiled and said, "Miss Kay, what makes you think I haven't moved on?"

Just then, she spotted her baby's small figure!

In the distance, the little one also saw her and happily ran towards her, about to shout "Mommy."

Ivy's heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

She frantically signaled Ian not to call her mommy! Absolutely not!

"Ma..." The little one started but received the signal and quickly changed it to "Damn!"

Then he turned and ran to a place where Dillan couldn't see him.

The cute little curse drew everyone's attention.

Dillan heard the voice but saw no one. He only heard a childish "Damn."

Whose rude kid was this? Just learned to talk and already cursing?

Ivy quickly stood in front of Dillan, blocking his view. What if he accidentally saw the baby?

"Fine, I'll agree to dine together!" she suddenly said.

Kay stopped searching for the source of the voice and was pleasantly surprised, "Really? Dillan, Ivy agreed to dine with us. Will you agree too?"

"Okay," Dillan responded perfunctorily.

He wasn't really in the mood to eat but inexplicably wanted to see more of Ivy.

...

In the private room, the atmosphere was awkward.

Ivy kept checking her phone for the time, wondering if Henry had taken the baby away.

She texted Henry to take Ian home first and that she'd be there soon.

Dillan noticed her discomfort and asked sternly, "Who are you texting?"

Was this woman really planning to degrade herself by hooking up with old men?

He had overheard her suspicious phone call in the car earlier.

"No one. Why isn't the food here yet? Let's eat quickly and go home," she put away her phone.

Kay chuckled and poured Dillan a cup of tea, saying, "I guess Ivy has a boyfriend and is texting him."

Dillan frowned slightly, seemingly displeased, "How do you know?"

"I'm a woman. Women's intuition is very accurate. Ivy, am I right?"

That fake smile...

Ivy didn't bother denying it, "Yes, you're right. I was texting my boyfriend."

"Is it that old man from the banquet? I warn you, stay away from those old men!" Dillan's tone was domineering.

Kay felt inexplicably jealous and clenched her skirt.

Kay said softly, "Dillan, don't be so harsh. Ivy can like whoever she wants. She's your ex-wife now; it's none of your business."

Dillan remained silent.

A surge of anger rose within him. He downed his tea in one gulp, clearly upset.

"I need to use the restroom. Excuse me," Kay suddenly stood up with a smile and left the room.

In fact, Kay did it on purpose.

She wanted to know what was really going on between Dillan and Ivy. They wouldn't speak honestly in front of her.

So Kay turned on the recording mode on her phone and left for the restroom, not believing they wouldn't say anything in her absence.

Sure enough...

As soon as the door closed, Ivy looked at Dillan, "How long have you known this woman?"

Dillan poured another cup of tea and took a sip, "Many years."

Ivy's clear eyes showed surprise.

Many years...

How many years? Childhood friends? Sweethearts?

So it wasn't an affair during their marriage but a long-term relationship?

Ivy's eyes dimmed with bitterness. She asked, "If you loved her so much, why did you marry me instead of her?"

"Grandfather forced me."

The answer was straightforward and hurtful.

His words were filled with reluctant helplessness, devoid of any emotion.

Remembering how Dillan forced her into divorce four years ago, Ivy's hatred surged within her.

He protected Kay so well that even when forcing Ivy into divorce, Kay didn't have to appear. She enjoyed his love like a princess.

Ivy suddenly said, "If I tell her that you took me home to see your grandfather tonight, do you think she'll cry?"

"Try making her cry!" Dillan slammed his teacup on the table with a loud bang.

Kay cried all the time; he was sick of it. If she found out about this, who knew how long she'd cry again?

He had no patience for comforting women.

To Ivy, his strong reaction was heartbreaking.

He was gentle and caring towards the woman he loved but always violent and cold towards her.

That was the difference between love and indifference.

She thought she had forgotten everything after four years but still felt some pain.

Taking a deep breath, Ivy stood up angrily and said, "Then please don't appear in front of me again. You make me nauseous!"

With that, she grabbed her bag and left the room.

The door slammed shut behind her.

Dillan sat alone in the room for an unknown amount of time.

Kay returned and found Ivy gone. She asked curiously, "Dillan, where did Ivy go?"

"She had something to do and left. Let's go too."

With that, Dillan stood up and walked out of the room.

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"No."

Kay picked up her bag and glanced at her phone beside it. She turned off the recording mode.