Circle of Predators

~VALERIE POV~

Ivy sat silently through it all, her face carefully uninterested, occasionally sipping her mimosa but never speaking up to defend me.

"I see," I said quietly, setting down my fork. "Well, thank you for the... educational experience."

I started to stand, but Margaret wasn't finished.

"Oh, don't leave yet, dear. We haven't even gotten to dessert. Besides, we're just trying to help. A l