Respected you more than anyone

Roderick and Ivy stood outside the hotel. A black car pulled up in front of them. The tinted front window lowered smoothly, revealing Layla's composed face.

"Get in," she instructed.

Without hesitation, Roderick stepped forward, opening the backseat door. He placed a guiding hand on Ivy's lower back, ensuring she got in first before following suit. As soon as he settled into the seat beside her, he pulled the door shut.

Lucius, after ensuring they had secured their seat belts, drove off toward their destination.

Roderick stole a glance at his uncle, whose face remained as unreadable as ever, making it impossible to decipher his thoughts.

Ivy, on the other hand, shifted uncomfortably in her seat. A strange tension lingered in the air, making her feel like an outsider in a conversation she wasn't meant to be part of.

The silence stretched until Lucius finally broke the ice, "Are you two getting along well?"