Chapter 1951
Ivy felt a twinge of embarrassment stir within her as she recalled the words Balfour had said to Nolan. She never felt worthy of Nolan before, and now, more than ever, she knew it was foolish to even entertain the notion.
“Why are you all by yourself? Where’s my cousin?” Nolan’s voice pulled her from her reverie, and Ivy looked up to see him approach with that same warm, gentlemanly smile.
Her lips curled into a faint smile as she replied, “He’s chatting with a friend. I thought I’d take a stroll.”
“His friend?” Nolan pondered for a moment. “It must be Giselle, right?”
Hearing Giselle’s name dimmed Ivy’s spirits.
Of course. Giselle and Balfour had been childhood sweethearts, and it seemed that everyone’s first thought of Balfour’s friends was her
“Have you met Giselle?” Nolan asked, coming to stand beside her. “She’s quite the celebrity now, with a legion of fans.”
Ivy nodded, maintaining her smile, “I’ve seen her. Yes, she’s very beautiful. But I’m not really into the showbiz scene, so I didn’t recognize her at first.”
“It seems like even back in high school, you weren’t much into that stuff. All the other girls were starstruck, except you. Some things never change.”
Back then, Ivy was a loner; others saw her as aloof and antisocial.
“No, it’s not that. I was just too caught up in my studies, so I didn’t have much time to focus on other things, Ivy chuckled, choosing not to bring up the pressures she faced at that time.
How had she been all these years?
“So…” Nolan hesitated before asking, “How did you and my cousin end up together?”
Ivy knew this question was coming. After all, she and Balfour seemed worlds apart; anyone who looked at them would be curious about how they ended up together.
“It was just a casual acquaintance,” Ivy said with a rueful smile, deliberately vague. “But, the news of our marriage isn’t public yet, Nolan. Please, try not to mention it to anyone.”
A tinge of sadness flickered in Nolan’s eyes as he forced a smile, “Don’t worry, nobody dares to gossip about Balfour’s business.”
For years, Nolan had strove to catch up to Balfour’s success.
But Balfour’s starting point was already the finish line for many. Catching up to Balfour was easier said than done.
Now, as the head of the Howard family, even Nolan’s family, independent as they were, didn’t dare cross Balfour.
While they conversed, Ivy’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the message from Balfour.
[Giselle got drunk, so I’m giving her a lift home. Just ring up Quinton, and he’ll come to pick you up.]
Sighing at the message, Ivy felt like an afterthought, disposable no matter where she was.
“Nolan, I’m sorry, but it’s getting late, and I should head back. Let’s catch up some other time,” Ivy said with a smile, excusing herself from the party. Walking down the street in her high heels, Ivy felt a suffocating sense of oppression.
She didn’t call Quinton, preferring the solitude of her own company on the sidewalk.
But these high heels were nothing short of beautiful torture; they looked great, but walking in them was a nightmare!
Irritated, Ivy slipped off the heels and walked barefoot, feeling out of place amid the glitz and glamour.
A white sedan pulled up beside her, and Nolan’s face appeared at the window, smiling, “Ivy, get in. I’ll drive you home.”
