Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 306

Chapter 306: “Mind Your Tongue, Ivy”
The morning sun streamed through the grand dining room windows, casting a golden hue over the long mahogany table where breakfast was already being served. The scent of freshly brewed coffee, buttered toast, and eggs filled the air, but the atmosphere was anything but warm.

Seated at the head of the table, Stephanie gracefully sipped her tea while her children, Ivy and Damien, quietly enjoyed their meal. Well, mostly quietly—because Ivy’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

Then came the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor.

Olivia.

Olivia had spent the entire night seething in rage after reading Tea Time’s article only to discover the bitter betrayal from Owen. She had almost cried her eyes out after discovering the ugly truth about the remarriage and the pregnancy.

It’s not like she had never expected Owen to remarry, but the fact that he married again a few weeks after their divorce, and that too, to his mistress whom he had cheated on her with on several occasions while they were still married, was the bone of contention.

Olivia kept reliving the scene in her head until she finally dozed off. But waking up this morning, her heart was still embittered.

With her chin lifted high and an air of forced indifference, Olivia sauntered toward the dining table, pulling out a chair at the other end of the table and sitting down as if nothing in the world could bother her. She elegantly unfolded a napkin and placed it on her lap before picking up her cutlery.

But Ivy? Ivy was already smirking.

“So…” Ivy started, casually twirling her spoon in her cereal. “I was reading Tea Time’s latest article yesterday night. You know, the one about Owen getting remarried to his long-time mistress? Oh! And let’s not forget the cherry on top—she’s pregnant with his child.”

Her voice was light, almost playful, but the jab landed exactly where she intended it to.

Stephanie flicked her gaze toward Ivy—a subtle but firm warning.

Ivy shrugged, her lips curving into a taunting smile.

Across the table, Olivia’s grip on her fork tightened. Her jaw clenched as she slowly raised her eyes to glare at Ivy, a storm brewing behind them.

“Shut your mouth,” Olivia snapped, her tone sharp as a blade.

Ivy feigned innocence, tilting her head. “Why? It’s public news. I figured you’d want to know how well your ex-husband is doing. After all, it hasn’t even been two months, and he’s already moved on. You must be so happy for him.”

A dangerous silence followed.

Olivia’s lips curled into a bitter smirk. “Oh, please. If I were you, I’d focus on my own pathetic life instead of gossiping about mine. At least I’ve actually achieved something. What do you have to show for yourself, Ivy?” She gestured vaguely at her. “Nothing. No career, no status, no accomplishments—just a mouth that runs faster than your brain.”

Ivy’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, it widened.

“Well, at least my reputation is intact,” she shot back smoothly, eyes gleaming with triumph. “Unlike someone who’s completely ruined herself.”

Unlike before, where Olivia would have simply stood up and left out of anger to avoid engaging further, she stayed.

She refused to walk away this time. Ivy had annoyed her, and she wasn’t about to let her win. And this was her father’s house as a matter of fact. If there was anyone who was supposed to leave the dining table, then it was Ivy.

Olivia’s nails dug into her palm under the table, but her voice remained eerily calm.

“Mind your tongue, Ivy,” Olivia warned in a low, dangerous tone. “You’re living in my father’s house. If you have no manners, I suggest you go back to your father’s house where you belong. But if you must remain under my roof, then you must accord me some respect.”

That struck a nerve.

Ivy’s smirk wavered for just a second before her expression darkened.

Before she could fire back, a sharp slap! echoed through the room.

Stephanie had slammed her palm against the table, her piercing gaze silencing both of them instantly.

“That’s enough,” she ordered coolly, her voice carrying an air of authority that neither of them dared to challenge. “Not another word.”

The tension between Olivia and Ivy remained thick, but neither spoke again.

Instead, they returned to their food, though every bite was laced with resentment.

Olivia was the first to finish. She wiped her lips delicately with a napkin, stood up, and without sparing Ivy another glance, uttered a polite, “Enjoy your meal,” before turning on her heel and walking away.

Only when Olivia was out of sight did Stephanie turn her full attention to Ivy.

Her expression was unreadable, but the sharpness in her gaze left no room for argument.

“Ivy,” Stephanie said slowly, her tone carrying a quiet warning, “don’t ever speak to Olivia like that again.”

Ivy blinked, feigning innocence once more. “I was just stating facts—”

Stephanie’s gaze hardened. “I don’t care. If you ever go against me again, I will punish you. Do you understand?”

Ivy’s lips pressed together, but she reluctantly muttered, “Yes.”

Stephanie studied her for a moment longer before leaning back into her chair. The room remained silent until she finally changed the subject.

“Now,” she said, glancing between Ivy and Damien, “after your tour of Vintage Cellar’s winery the other time, have you given any thought to working there?”

Damien, who had been silent throughout the breakfast drama, set down his juice and nodded. “I have. I’d like to work at Vintage Cellar. It would be good for experience.”

Stephanie nodded approvingly before shifting her gaze to Ivy. “And you?”

Ivy took a sip of her coffee, then smiled sweetly. “I’d like to work at Vintage Cellar too.”

But only she knew her true reason.

She wasn’t joining the company to build a career. She was joining to make Olivia’s life miserable.

Stephanie smiled, seemingly satisfied with their answers. “Good. I’ll have your employment letters ready soon.”

Damien gave a small nod while Ivy suppressed a smirk.

Olivia had no idea what was coming.