"He will help you to straighten up."
Damian looked at Ivy gently and continued,
"Ivy, we are doing it for your good. You act like you have been possessed. We are your family, we won’t harm you. Just follow our arrangement, alright?"
Seraphina wiped away her fake tears and sobbed,
"Dear, we had to give an extra 10 instant noodle packets to Patrick, just so he can cure you. Don’t let us down."
How much are 10 instant noodles packets now? They were almost worth 10 grams of gold!
Ivy chuckled. The audacity of the Ravencroft family to act all kind and innocent while planning to sell her... was truly a force to reckon with.
She smiled, shaking her head,
"No need. I am fine. If anyone should go, then it should be Mother or Isla. It would be great if Damian could leave too."
Seraphina bit back the curses, almost leaving her mouth. How dare she or her daughter go to Patrick? That old b*stard indeed served in the military; however, he was stripped of his post once his messy personal life was exposed.
If it wasn’t for the 20 instant noodles packets he had given them for keeping Ivy for 5 nights, they would never even look in his direction.
Ivy was adopted by them. During these times of need, she should work more than others! If she can’t bring food, she should provide services and earn food!
Plastering a kind smile on her face, Seraphina threw a loving gaze in Ivy’s direction and counterattacked,
"Ivy, I am touched by your suggestion. However, I need to stay here to make the food, and Isla needs to do the housework."
Ivy laughed. It didn’t contain any mirth; it was filled with a hollowness and bitterness.
"Oh... mother. Did you forget? All the house chores and food preparation were done by me. See, the floor is so dirty, and the smell of burnt food is still lingering in the air. I bet you all have been eating burned food."
Isla, Damian, Magnus, and Seraphina fell silent. That was indeed true.
Ivy, seeing their silence, decided not to tease them any further,
"Okay. I am ready to go."
The Ravencroft family was delighted, however, before they could rejoice, Ivy continued,
"On one condition. I want to eat shrimp dumplings, Mapo Tofu, and Peking Duck."
"No!" Seraphina instantly declined.
Ivy’s lips curved into a faint smile at Seraphina’s sharp refusal, as if she had expected nothing less.
Her gaze, calm yet piercing, swept over the so-called family that surrounded her like vultures circling a dying prey.
"Oh? Mother, you refuse so quickly," Ivy said softly, her voice laced with quiet amusement.
"Surely, after all I’ve done, the chores, the cooking, the cleaning, a simple meal isn’t too much to ask, is it? Or... could it be that the great Ravencroft family can’t even afford a plate of dumplings and a bit of tofu?"
Seraphina’s face flushed an ugly shade of red.
Her lips opened, no doubt to spew another excuse, but Magnus cut in first, his voice forced into a gentle tone, though the impatience simmered beneath.
"Ivy, you know how difficult it is to get those dishes nowadays. Resources are scarce. We can’t waste..."
Ivy tilted her head slightly, interrupting him without raising her voice.
"I see. So, what you’re saying is... I’m worth less than a meal? Aiyoo... sometimes I truly think, I am not your daughter."
The faces of all the Ravencroft family turned pale. Seraphina reacted strongly and shouted,
"What are you saying! Just... just because I didn’t give you some dishes, you are accusing us? Ivy, I didn’t expect this from you."
Ivy rolled her eyes, finding it meaningless to engage in a conversation with these blood sucking fake family members.
"Fine. No shrimp dumplings. No Mapo Tofu. No Peking Duck. Then I’m not going. Let Patrick come fetch me himself if he dares."
Seraphina’s eyes widened, panic flashing through them. This wasn’t what she’d planned.
That old pervert had made it clear, if they didn’t send Ivy willingly, he’d take double the payment next time. And they didn’t have double.
Magnus clenched his fists. Damian opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Ivy added, voice low and deadly calm,
"Or... if you truly think I need discipline, then let Isla go in my place. Let’s see if she returns any better."
Isla’s face paled, her act crumbling as fear overtook her expression.
"Ivy, how can you say that?! I’m your sister!" Isla cried out, her voice trembling for real this time.
"Sister?" Ivy’s smile was cold as ice. "You only remember that word when it suits you."
Damian gritted his teeth, a harsh light flashed in his eyes as he said,
"Ivy, you forced me to do this!"
Then he exchanged a glance with Magnus, who nodded, and both of them rushed toward Ivy with a bat in their hand.
The hatred hidden in Ivy’s heart flared up again.
"Brother! Brother please! I don’t want to go to Patrick! He is a pervert!" Ivy begged, tears streamed down her face, and her hands were shaking.
Damian flunked her to one side, while Isla stepped on Ivy’s hands secretly, and spoke in a generous voice,
"Ivy, blame yourself. Your beauty can tempt even those above 50."
With that, she stepped away, pulling her high heels, which had left a bloody hole in Ivy’s hand.
Before Ivy could cry out in pain, Magnus clutched Ivy’s hair and dragged her toward the door frame.
"Be a little useful. Patrick had said he would give us a chicken, 2 kg of tofu, and 5kg of shrimps if he was satisfied with your performance."
"Noo! Please! Please dad! Don’t do this! He will molest or violate me!" Ivy shouted. She wasn’t dumb. She knew of the fate awaiting her once she was out of the Ravencroft family.
She struggled, angering Magnus, who motioned to Damian. Without hesitation, Damian took out the whip and rained down on her.