Chapter 2018
Colton had personally gone through the script of this project, and the girl standing before him seemed to have stepped right out of its pages.
He had faith that even though Ivy was green as grass when it came to acting, she would bring the lead character to life in a way no other could.
“I just hope I don’t disappoint you, director,” Ivy said, glancing at Balfour beside Colton with a look of unfamiliarity. “And you are?”
Balfour was just about to explain why he was here when this question caught him off guard, and Colton could see his face freeze
over.
It was not just Balfour who was taken aback. Colton was, too. When he was just a newbie, unnoticed by the world, it was this man who invested in him before anyone else did. Balfour’s support allowed him to produce his first film, sparking a chain of successful projects.
To Colton, Balfour was a true patron, a friend even, despite their infrequent interactions over the years.
Balfour had shown up early this morning, making his first unsolicited visit to Colton’s company.
“Ivy is my wife,” Balfour cut to the chase.
With that bombshell, Colton instantly understood the man’s intentions. “When did you get married?”
Gossip had never clung to Balfour except for his close association with Giselle, but no woman had ever been linked to him romantically.
In a world where silence often preceded a thunderclap, the lack of rumors only magnified the surprise of his marital status.
“Not too long ago,” Balfour replied. He was not prone to deep connections but was all too familiar with the chaos of the entertainment industry. He was wary of letting Ivy dive into that world alone..
Instead of having her navigate the treacherous waters of showbiz by herself, he had come to make her status known, to shield her from potential harm.
“So, you came here today to make sure I take good care of your wife?” Colton gave a wry smile. “I can’t speak for the rest, but at least in my set, she won’t face any hardship.”
Knowing Colton for years, Balfour trusted his character, but once Ivy started in this film, she would likely continue in the industry. Thus, his visit was not just about this one project; he was laying the groundwork for her future in the business.
“Mr. Howard, you’re really okay with your wife stepping into the limelight?”
Colton could keep a clean set, free from the industry’s darker side, but he could not control what happened elsewhere. If Ivy were to make a name for herself beyond his movie, she would undoubtedly cross paths with other productions.
“No one dares to mess with the Howard family with me around.”
Yes, Balfour was set to be Ivy’s rock, ensuring that the entire industry would think twice before crossing her.
But just as Colton was recovering from the shock of Balfour’s nuptials, Ivy’s ‘And you are?’ threw him for another loop.
Could Balfour’s affections be unrequited, and the girl had no genuine interest in him?
The thought tickled Colton, and he could not help but chuckle.
Already irked by her feigned ignorance, Balfour scowled even darker at Colton’s snickering, clearing his throat pointedly.
“Ahem,” Colton struggled to compose himself, waving Ivy over with a grin, “Ms. Dunhill, this is Mr. Howard. The contracts are all ready. Shall I show them to you?”
