The Hunt Begins

"Ivy, eat a bit more!" Victoria Sterling, sitting across from her, smiled gently at Ivy Belle as she reached out to pick up a piece of bell-pepper-stuffed meat—Ivy's absolute favorite. It seemed as though Victoria was the only one at the dining table who cared about her, while the rest paid her no mind. Gentle and kind—that was how others judged her, and looking from the outside, how could anyone claim otherwise?

Ivy nodded and held out her bowl to receive the food. Ever since waking up, she had only shown warmth toward Victoria Sterling, remaining cold, indifferent, and fearful toward everyone else—especially Old Mrs. Sterling.

Valeria Sterling waved over a servant and picked up the dish her older sister had just taken food from to give to Ivy. Thrusting it straight into Mrs. Lee's hands, she ordered flatly:

"Throw it away!"

The servant didn't dare accept it immediately. She glanced at the family members present, and seeing no reaction from any of them, she let out a sigh of relief, bowed her head, and instantly complied.

Only then did Victoria Sterling knit her brows at her sister's behavior, putting on a displeased front as she admonished:

"Valeria, you're being so unruly. Ivy still wanted to eat—why throw it out? Don't ever do that again, do you hear me?"

Valeria offered no response, her indifferent attitude making it clear the scolding went in one ear and out the other. Beatrice Vanderbilt and Richard Sterling didn't even bother looking up, leaving only Old Mrs. Sterling to mutter under her breath in defense of her second granddaughter, openly displaying her contempt for Ivy Belle.

"I'm done eating!" Valeria slammed her chopsticks onto the table, storming off to her room in a huff without finishing her meal.

Watching the group put on this absurd performance, Ivy Belle felt a deep surge of disgust in her heart. Had she not been reborn, it would have been nearly impossible to believe that these very people were the ones who had driven her to her death. Glancing at the woman sitting opposite her, Ivy clenched her chopsticks tightly. Had she not controlled her force, they might have snapped in half long ago.

Victoria Sterling... you killed Ms. Vance, you destroyed my life, and your family ruined everything I had. None of you will ever know peace in this lifetime. Even if I die, I will drag every single one of you down with me!

Victoria bowed her head, quietly listening to Old Mrs. Sterling's grumbling. To an outsider, there would be no doubt about her sisterly affection, earning her endless admiration from others. Favored by the young mistress of the Cross family, anyone in her shoes would spend the rest of their days enjoying a life of ease and luxury.

 

She bit her lip tightly, her eyes darting around until they came to a rest on Ivy Belle. Was she misinterpreting what she saw? Had Ivy's smile and gaze briefly carried a trace of cold contempt and deep malice? When Victoria Sterling took a second look, however, she met only Ivy's innocent eyes paired with a sweet, harmless smile. Her brows knitted together in half-belief and half-doubt.

"Sister, I want some meat!" Ivy Belle held her bowl out in front of her, licking a drop of grease from the corner of her lips. Her foolish, gluttonous appearance easily shattered all of Victoria's earlier suspicion.

Victoria hummed in agreement and bowed her head, only then recalling that Valeria had just had the dish thrown out, leaving her momentarily awkwardly stuck on how to react. Old Mrs. Sterling glared, opening her mouth to hurl abuse, but she was abruptly cut off by a sound coming from the television screen.

Ethan Cross?

Everyone froze at the mention of the name, instinctively turning their heads toward the TV, which had been accidentally switched on when Valeria's cat darted past the remote.

"Victoria, what is the meaning of this? The establishment of Valence? How is it that we knew nothing about this?" Richard Sterling set his chopsticks down, his voice heavy with interrogation.

Beatrice Vanderbilt turned to glance at her husband before hurling a barrage of frantic questions at Victoria Sterling:

"How could we not know about something this important? Why weren't you present at the press conference? Aren't you his wife?"

"Could it be... has something happened between you two?"

"If the media doesn't see your face, do you have any idea how big a storm this will cause?"

"You entered the Cross family properly through the front door, yet he treats you like this—isn't he being far too unfair to you?"

Richard Sterling roared furiously at Beatrice Vanderbilt, his voice devoid of gentleness and laced with sharp hostility—a stark contrast to a father's usual attitude toward his daughter, cold and completely distant:

"Don't tell me you were kept in the dark about this as well?"

Victoria Sterling fell silent, desperately scrambling for a way to deal with the situation. Truth be told, she hadn't known a single thing about it. Had she not been sitting right here, it would be almost impossible to imagine that the "Mrs. Cross" whom everyone envied was completely clueless about her own husband's affairs, no different from any outsider.

How utterly humiliating!

"No, that's not it. I was planning to tell everyone, but I forgot after coming here. With so much happening at home, I simply didn't have the peace of mind to make a public appearance. He said my health wasn't stable yet and that I should rest more... I'm sorry for making everyone worry!"

 

Victoria Sterling answered indifferently, her expression showing no trace of deceit or guilt. The corners of her eyes even crinkled with an appearance of immense happiness.

Beatrice Vanderbilt looked at the daughter who brought her the most pride, easily believing her words as a smile spread across her face. To be cared for by Ethan Cross was a rare fortune, and as a mother, who wouldn't be overjoyed that her own daughter was the lucky recipient? As she thought this, her eyes instinctively drifted down to Victoria's flat stomach.

Richard Sterling was not as easily convinced and still harbored doubts, wanting to say something, but he hesitated upon seeing her relaxed and completely composed demeanor. Only Old Mrs. Sterling grumbled fiercely, keeping her eyes glued to their "adopted granddaughter" as she spat angrily:

"If it weren't for her, our Victoria wouldn't have missed such an opportunity! What a curse, what an absolute curse!"

From start to finish, Ivy Belle paid no attention to any of them. No matter how loud the commotion was around her, her concentration remained locked on the man inside the television screen, refusing to look away. Unconsciously, the corner of her lips curled up, her clear eyes glittering—not with innocence, but with a sharp intent known only to herself.

Ethan Cross?

It seems in my past life... I heard of his name!

Recalling the memory, Ivy Belle quickly reverted to her previous state, calmly looking at Victoria Sterling—who was still trying to justify herself—as she whispered softly under her breath:

"My dearest sister... this time, it's my turn!"