Ursula's thoughts were crystal clear: 'Ivy is the poison destroying everything. While she remains here, Genevieve will never return her affections to me. The entire household bows to Ivy's every whim—but what of my granddaughter?'
Her declaration sent shockwaves through the room.
Genevieve froze like carved marble, horror flooding her features as she stared at Ursula. "Mother, Ivy may not carry Fairfax blood, but she's called you 'Grandmother' for many years. We've raised her like family. How can you speak so heartlessly?"
Ursula's laugh was bitter, every wrinkle carved deeper by rage. "I allowed her to stay out of pity—she had nothing, no one. Such a pitiful little thing.
"But now look at all of you! Dancing around her like she's royalty, completely enchanted.
"Don't confuse my kindness with foolishness. Since none of you care about propriety, don't blame me for stripping away these false pleasantries!"
