The CEO’s Billion Dollar Bride
Chapter 248 - 229. Confrontation between women

Chapter 248: 229. Confrontation between women

"Ivy!"

Just as Ivy Aretha ordered food for her and Bianca Aretha, she saw Alya Larson say goodbye to a man and then walk towards them, her gaze falling on Bianca, "She must be your and Michael’s child, right? So cute!"

Alya sat down beside Bianca, her face wearing a harmless smile and her movements gentle. She even touched Bianca’s head while speaking, which clearly made Bianca uncomfortable with a stranger touching her.

Bianca first frowned and then glanced at Ivy before obediently calling out, "Auntie!"

"Where’s Michael?" said Alya, casually scanning the surrounding area as if looking for Michael Gordon’s figure. After a moment, she continued, "Oh, I remember now. Michael told me that you two were going to the Gordon Mansion for a reunion dinner today. Why are you eating here instead?"

Though Alya’s words seemed casual, Ivy instantly detected the underlying message—Alya was flaunting her relationship with Michael!

"We just felt like eating here, that’s all."

Ivy simply glanced at Alya before focusing on cutting the steak for Bianca that the waiter had brought. She showed no intention of answering Alya’s question further.

Seeing Ivy’s calm demeanor, Alya hesitated for a moment. She then recalled what Risa Scott told her over the phone and asked, "Did Uncle Gordon see you losing your temper?"

"Clang!"

The sound of utensils clashing rang out crisply.

"Mommy!" Bianca furrowed her brows and looked at Ivy before turning to Alya, "Auntie, you’re interrupting our meal. Can you please leave us alone?"

Alya paused before looking back at Ivy, who had already calmly picked up the utensils she accidentally dropped on the floor. Seeing Ivy’s unaffected expression, Alya began to understand the situation.

It seemed the call from Risa Scott was true!

"Alright, Auntie won’t bother you anymore," said Alya, standing up to leave. But after taking a few steps, she turned back to Ivy, "Ivy, if you have time, you can call me. I know the reason behind everything that happened today."

Alya left as if certain Ivy would call her, leaving Ivy staring at her retreating figure while Bianca focused on eating the steak now on her plate.

Ivy kept pondering over Alya’s words—She knew the reason for today’s events?

She knew?

Perhaps. As Calvin Gordon’s designated fiancée, it wouldn’t be surprising for her to know. After dinner, Ivy took Bianca home, watched TV for a while, and put her to bed. Unable to resist her curiosity, Ivy called Alya.

Ivy knew Alya’s intentions might not be pure. She was most likely trying to exploit Ivy and create trouble. But even so, Ivy still wanted to get information from her.

If the characters in a novel were to be categorized, Alya wouldn’t be just an ordinary white lotus. She was more like a shrewd and calculative woman. Before going out, Ivy repeatedly reminded herself not to let Alya’s words affect her emotions. However, she couldn’t help but be stunned by what Alya said.

"You couldn’t resist wanting to know more, could you?"

Alya chuckled and ordered two cups of coffee for them.

"I’m already his wife. Sometimes, it’s necessary to understand more about his family background. Since someone is willing to provide information voluntarily, why wouldn’t I take advantage of it?"

Ivy gazed back with a gentle smile, her tone light but filled with the authority of a family head. She had known Alya for some time and had been continually impressed by her.

She clearly remembered today’s events. The moment she stepped into the Gordon family’s home, she and her daughter were promptly expelled, while Michael stayed behind. With such a significant incident taking place, Ivy’s curiosity about what Alya would say was piqued. Despite this, she bravely maintained her cool composure, exuding even more dominance than the pampered Alya.

It was hard for Alya to believe that such a woman was raised in an orphanage. She couldn’t imagine an orphanage fostering such an extraordinary temperament. The only explanation... it was innate!

Given Calvin Gordon’s behavior today, Alya already had an idea of Ivy’s mysterious background, something Ivy herself wasn’t even aware of.

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll badmouth you and ruin your relationship with Michael?"

Alya laughed lightly, drawing attention to the fact that they were love rivals without explicitly saying it. Their rivalry was a well-known fact at the company, with both women being clever at keeping it under wraps. However, this time, Alya decided to directly confront Ivy about it.

With that said, she somewhat looked forward to Ivy’s reaction.

"I’ve always believed that a marriage that can be ruined will eventually shatter," Ivy responded, sipping her coffee casually. Her eyes sparkled with confidence and boldness. "Similarly, if a relationship is strong, what can destroy it?"

What a response!

What an Ivy Aretha!

"It’s easy to say that, but it depends on who your opponent is. Ordinary white lotuses might not pose a threat, but what about someone like me—with intelligence far surpassing my looks? Are you not afraid?"

In one breath, Alya not only praised herself but also clearly defined her stance.

Ha!

These days, mistresses were so brazen about their relationships!

Oh, that was wrong. She couldn’t even be considered a mistress since Michael never acknowledged her.

"Afraid? Why would I be afraid? If you had the opportunity, would I even have a chance at becoming Mrs. Gordon?"

Alya was the legitimate fiancée chosen by the Gordon family for Michael, yet Ivy had merely given birth to his daughter. She had always been aware that she was just an afterthought in his life.

"So, in my eyes, you’ve never been a love rival!"

Hearing that, Alya’s previously expressive face stiffened, and her cheeks paled. Looking at Ivy, her eyes were filled with a sense of loss, as if she had been defeated. She couldn’t believe she had lost not only Michael’s heart and body but also the proud air of superiority she once possessed—all to this woman!

"Have you become spoiled by your new status as Mrs. Gordon?"

"Spoiled?" Ivy muttered the word, finding it amusing. "But there must be favor to be spoiled first, isn’t that right, Miss Larson? You’d know all about it, wouldn’t you?"

As her words sunk in, Ivy watched Alya’s face gradually turn white.