Rise of the Fallen Heiress

Chapter 9 The Slander

"How could that be? Am I that kind of person?" Willa's voice carried a hint of guilt and unwillingness. Her gaze shifted between Cassia and Ivor, finally settling on Mark's slightly disheveled figure. Immediately afterward, as if finding some evidence, she declared confidently, "You and Mark are in disarray. Even a fool could see what's going on."

As soon as these words were spoken, many people gathered at the door began to whisper amongst themselves.

"Cassia is really shameless, even seducing Mark?"

"That's right. Even if Ivor won't marry her, she shouldn't seduce his brother."

"This is the first time I've discovered such a thirsty woman, and she's right here beside us."

Cassia's bright eyes swept across the crowd at the door. It was still the same group of people, always eager to gossip. It was just that their insults were always the same, nothing new.

A faint smile touched the corner of her lips, a smile that held a myriad of complex emotions, helplessness, self-mockery, and a hint of unyielding stubbornness.

She didn't rush to refute them. Instead, she calmly observed everyone present with those bright eyes, especially Ivor. She really wanted to know how Ivor would handle this situation. 'Would he, as usual, humiliate me on the spot, or simply kick me out?' she wondered.

Now that Willa was back, she thought Ivor would probably choose the latter.

As Cassia pondered this, she saw Ivor gripping the armrests of his wheelchair, his expression unreadable.

"Get out."

Ivor, who had been silent, finally spoke. Cassia thought he was talking about her and obediently got up to leave. "Come back here. Did I say you could leave?"

Cassia returned, realizing that Ivor wanted the people at the door to leave.

Ivor's deep voice was devoid of emotion as he coldly addressed the people at the door once more, "Everyone, today is Grandfather's birthday banquet. It's best not to have any discordant voices. Otherwise, if Grandfather is unhappy and takes it out on you, it won't be good."

The people at the door disdained Cassia but didn't dare to embarrass the Parker family. Seeing Ivor's frown, even though they were reluctant and wanted to stay and watch the drama unfold, they had to force a smile due to Ivor's authority. "Mr. Parker, we still have matters to attend to, so we'll head to the main hall first."

In an instant, only the four of them remained in the room.

Willa hadn't expected Ivor to let Cassia off the hook, and her displeasure was written all over her face. "Ivor, it seems you're quite fond of Cassia."

"Impossible."

Those simple words instantly lifted Willa's gloomy mood. She stood in front of Ivor, her dismissive gaze filled with provocation. "Cassia, so you are the one who's fond of Mark?"

"Ms. Taylor, I wouldn't dare to have my sights set on someone from the Parker family."

Hearing Cassia's words, Willa was about to retort, but Ivor interrupted her. "Mark, if there's a next time, I'll make sure you leave the Parker family."

"Ivor, I think you've misunderstood..." Mark looked at Ivor with a playful smile. Even though they were both from the Parker family, his status was far inferior to this cripple's. Now wasn't the time for a direct confrontation, so he made his stance clear.

Mark apologized profusely before being driven away by Ivor.

Immediately afterward, Ivor suddenly turned to Willa and said gently, "Willa, why don't you go keep Grandpa company? I need to have a word with Cassia."

Such tender and affectionate eyes coming from Ivor made Cassia find it hard to believe. So this man had a gentle side too.

Although Willa didn't want to leave, she couldn't refuse Ivor's resolute gaze. "Alright, I'll wait for you."

With that, Willa dejectedly left the room, not forgetting to shoot a venomous glare at Cassia as she passed by.

Compared to her anger, Cassia was much calmer. She didn't want to stay here either. Just as she was about to leave, Ivor stopped her.

She saw him looking at her with a gloomy face, his voice laced with a hint of anger that even he hadn't noticed.

"Cassia, haven't I told you to know your place?

Are you that desperate for a man? Did you come to Grandfather's birthday banquet just for Mark?"

"No, I..." Cassia wanted to explain, but she didn't know where to begin.

Willa was back, and Ivor's heart was completely with her. If she said that this was all Willa's scheme, he wouldn't believe her.

Since that was the case, there was no need to say anything more.

"Isn't this what you wanted?"

Cassia took a deep breath, her lively eyes welling up with tears. She wasn't trying to appear weak; it was just an instinctive feeling of grievance.

"Heh..." Ivor sneered, his gaze finally landing on her delicate face for a fleeting moment before moving away.

He turned his wheelchair and headed for the door. Just as he was about to leave, he said, "I won't stop you if you're seeking death, but don't taint the Parker family."

Cassia frowned and took a deep breath, voicing her thoughts directly.

"Can't you see?"

Cassia's cold voice instantly stopped Ivor in his tracks.

"This is all Willa's doing. She just doesn't want me near you, so she framed me. My leaving is exactly what you and her want. Why won't you let me go?"

Cassia looked at Ivor. Seeing that he didn't leave immediately, she continued, "Could it be that you've fallen for me?"