After their father died he left them a huge lump some of whatever was left of his estate. Because Amalie had made trouble with her in laws when she asked for a divorce their family's assets had shrunk considerably.
The old man was dissatisfied with his daughter in law thus he messed with her family's business as retribution. This shrunk their father's empire considerably.
It was because of this that she was worried about the bill. Such a luxurious restaurant wasn't the type of place the middle class could afford. Even those who had gotten into some money would only come to this place to celebrate big occasions. To her, it was still a mystery how Amalie could afford to take four people to this restaurant.
"Uh, you are back. Did you manage to find it?" she asked and Marcellus smiled his mood a little better than before.
He gave her the gift bag and said, "I did. I hope mother in law likes it," while patting Ivy's thigh underneath the table.
Ivy lowered her head shyly and her ears red recalling what they just did in the dark alley. "Your daughter especially worked hard to get you this," he said with a lewd smile on his face.
Camilie raised her head and found that her daughter was blushing her lips torn and her hair that was flowing gracefully had a little frizziness to it.
Ivy subconsciously clamped her legs together while pulling down her dress trying to cover up her scrapped knees. She knew her mother wouldn't look underneath the table but she still looked worried.
"I I," she stammered only for Marcellus to squeeze her inner thigh gently as though telling her not to say a word.
Camilie was starting to get suspicious and opened her mouth to ask her daughter what was wrong but before she could ask, Marcellus spoke, "Mother in law, please open it."
Camilie suppressed the feeling taking root in her heart and pulled out a delicate red box. When she opened it there was the perfume she had been dreaming of for the past ten years.
Her father had got it for her sister once on her birthday. It wasn't that their father was partial to Amalie but that he had asked each of them what they wanted for their birthday just like every other year.
She chose a red McLaren as she wanted to impress all her friends but her sister chose a stupid perfume. Well at that time she thought it was stupid. That is until she found out that it was a rare fragrance that could only be made on special request.
When she saw her sister turning heads with that scent when she passed by Camilie was so jealous. She had an amazing car that plenty would be envious of but she couldn't show it off to strangers.
Amalie on the other hand could grab attention where ever she went without even opening her mouth to speak. When she asked for some Amalie refused saying that they each got their gift so it wasn't fair for her to ask. Their father even sided with her saying that she got a car ten times more expensive than that bottle of perfume so she should be content with what she had.
Out of jealousy she snuck into her sister's room and wanted to spray it before going out with her friends. After spraying it she suddenly decided to grab it and leave with it so she could brag about it to all her friends.
Unfortunately for her, she either lost it or it got stolen most likely by one of her friends. Her father was so pissed off that she took away her car without any hesitation.
No matter how hard she cried her father wouldn't relent. She only managed to get her car back the next year on her birthday and there were no other gifts or a birthday party after that.
She long forgot about her luxurious car but she still thought of Kalow, one of the rarest masterpieces of the great Mariette. It was a pity that her sister had left otherwise she would have shown off. Her son in law was truly great.
She gently stroked the edges of the perfume bottle with a sparkle in her eyes. She raised her head to look at him and thank him seriously.
"Thank you so much, my boy. I love it so much. This is a beautiful gift," she said her tone sincere and Marcellus was suddenly glad that he didn't replace her gift with the scarf in his car that was left behind by one of the high-end escorts he hired.
At least now she would side with him more. "It was no trouble. As long as mother is happy," he said with a radiant smile that warmed people's hearts.
As the second course was being served Camilie asked, "So when are you two going to get married?"
"Mum," whispered Ivy not daring to talk too loud as her throat was injured.
"What? You two have been dating for so long so it's only natural that I ask," she said and Marcellus chuckled softly.
He picked up the glass of expensive wine and swirled it lightly while saying, "I have arranged a family meeting with my family so we can discuss it. Mother in law need not worry."
Ivy was so happy that she was blushing profusely like a bride in her bridal chamber. Camilie seemed very happy with this response that she toasted them.
"This mother in law will support you," she said celebrating the joy of her daughter having found love. If only they both knew that this man had been rolling in between the sheets with several escorts a couple of times each week. Like he said, 'He was a man, a man with needs'.
Meanwhile, Quinn was regretting ever agreeing to this. Her mother was the fun-loving type of extrovert and her friends were her enablers.
The four popped some champagne in the limousine and poured it out like it was water. With loud music playing in the background, they drank like it was the end of days.