The drive back to the mansion was unusually quiet.
Neither Xander nor Ivy made an effort to start a conversation.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable, though. If anything, it felt natural. Ivy didn't seem to mind having Xander beside her, and Xander appeared perfectly content simply being there.
By the time they reached the Emerson Mansion and walked into their room, the tension from the evening had faded slightly.
As Ivy set her keys on the table, Xander spoke.
"Was everything alright at the reunion?"
She paused and turned to look at him.
There was no visible emotion on his face, but she had learned one thing about Xander over the past few months: he never asked questions without a reason.
Trying to read his expression was pointless.
If he was asking, he already knew something.
Ivy let out a quiet breath.
"Not exactly. Nora tried her best to paint me as the villain. She spilled wine on me, accused me of pushing her, and hoped everyone would believe her."
