Chapter 1948
A woman in a lilac evening gown stood behind them, her puzzled gaze fixed on the pair. “Balfour, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“Nothing, Balfour said, releasing his hold on Ivy.
The woman approached Ivy, a smile playing on her lips as she appraised her attire. “That dress is a one-of-a-kind global exclusive. When I tried to order it, I was told it had already been snapped up. I never imagined I’d see it here, being worn.”
Ivy knew the dress Balfour had picked out for her must have been expensive, but she hadn’t realized it was a global limited edition.
“I’m just borrowing it for the evening. I’ll return it after the party,” Ivy explained quickly.
The woman pressed her lips together in a slight smile. “I see.”
For some reason, despite the woman’s natural tone, every word she uttered made Ivy feel uneasy, as if there was some underlying hostility.
But why?.
Ivy was certain she didn’t know this woman.
If they had never met, there was no way she could have wronged her.
So where was this hostility coming from?
Could it be…
Ivy turned to look at Balfour beside her. Could it be because of him?
“Balfour,” the woman said, returning her focus to him and scrutinizing his attire for the day. “I always thought you looked best in gray suits. Why did you go for black today?”
Had they known each other for a long time? Ivy studied their subtle dynamics, curious about their past encounters.
“Black is more formal,” Balfour responded curtly, and it was clear he had a different regard for this woman.
The more Ivy looked at the elegantly dressed woman, the more she felt a sense of familiarity. That face… she had seen it before in a movie.
It clicked suddenly, and Ivy gasped in recognition, “Giselle, you’re the actress Giselle!”
“Yes, I’m Giselle,” she responded with a nod and a gracious smile. “Today’s celebration is for my birthday, and I’m delighted you could join us.”
So, this party was her birthday celebration.
Balfour was here to wish her a happy birthday, wasn’t he?
Ivy felt foolish for being invited without recognizing the guest of honor and felt a flush of embarrassment.
“May I ask which family’s daughter you are? I don’t recall seeing you before.”
Giselle’s words suggested she didn’t know Ivy at all, puzzled as to how a stranger had been invited to her birthday.
Ivy’s embarrassment deepened, and she turned to Balfour. “I came to the party today with Mr. Howard.”
“Oh, you’re with Balfour?” Giselle’s eyes twinkled with amusement as she looked at him. “Balfour, is this lady your companion for the evening?”
Recalling how Balfour seemed displeased when she had introduced them as friends to Nolan earlier, vy stepped forward, ready to explain, “Giselle, we
are…”
“Friends.”
Balfour cut her off sharply before she could finish.
Ivy paused, a sudden understanding dawning on her. She closed her mouth, choosing to remain silent.
