In the private room of the restaurant, Brian still had the same cold face.

Rosalynn poured him water.

“Are you still mad?"

This time it wasn't her who was angry— he was.

Brian stared at her, then reached for her hand.

"Honey, I'm so sorry for making you suffer."

He was furious at himself.

Because of his petulant willfulness, he neglected her for two years and made her go through so much hardship.

It was like he had punished her himself.

"Well, lucky for you, I'm gracious and forgiving. It's all in the past now. I don't want to stoop to the same level as them."

Rosalynn patted his hand, not feeling any trace of resentment.

Brian said softly, "What did I do to get so lucky? I have such a wonderful wife."

Rosalynn just smiled at him and steered the conversation elsewhere.

"So. Is Ivy the illegitimate daughter of the Larson family?"

"Indeed," Brian began, sharing the information of Ivy with her.

"The Larson family hold a notable stature in Skrix. The head of the family married twice. His first wife gave life to a girl, but tragedy struck when she was just two, leaving her in a vegetative state ever since a car accident. Ivy arrived from his second wife.

Her mother, once Mr. Larson's secretary, has long managed their household matters. Though she stands as the reigning lady of the Larsons, her husband's bond to his first wife remains, relegating Ivy to the shadows as his illegitimate daughter. Spoiled without restraint, she's grown rather haughty."

Brian, well-versed in the Larson family's affairs due to business connections, shared this with ease.

Rosalynn absorbed his words, her thoughts churning.

"It sounds as though the true Larson heir endures much hardship. They say with a stepmother, the fatherly love will gradually disappear."