Chapter 2023
She turned her gaze to the window, pretending not to hear a thing.
“Ivy, am I talking to air here?” Balfour fought to keep his irritation at bay, pressing on patiently.
Ivy had been staring outside, barely acknowledging him with a slight turn of her head before she promptly faced away again, ignoring him completely.
It was he who had been caught up in a scandal with Giselle, and here he was, escorting her to meet the director. She had not even confronted him about it, and yet he had the gall to speak to her as if he were the one wronged.
As if she were the one who had messed up!
Balfour had tried to engage her twice now, to no avail. For a man of his stature, his patience was wearing thin.
“Pull over.”
At his command, the driver promptly parked at the closest spot available and turned to ask, “Mr. Howard, shall I step out?”
“Yes.”
Leaving the keys in the ignition, the driver exited the car swiftly.
Now alone in the car, Balfour reached out, forcibly turning Ivy to face him. “Ivy, I’m speaking to you. Didn’t you hear me?”
Forced to make eye contact, Ivy sighed in exasperation. “I heard you.”
“Then why didn’t you respond?” Balfour’s brows furrowed at her petulant demeanor.
He had personally stepped in to smooth Ivy’s path in the cutthroat world of showbiz.
Yet, she had no word of gratitude, treating him as if he were invisible.
Such an ungrateful woman!
Ivy met his gaze, her eyes brimming with hurt, “Weren’t you here with Giselle? Why come to me? Why not keep her company?”
“With Giselle?” Balfour frowned. “Who told you that?”
Pouting, Ivy could not believe he had the audacity to deny it. “I don’t need anyone to tell me. I saw with my own eyes! Why would you be here in Colton’s office this early if not for her?”
“So, you think I approached Colton because of Giselle?”
The realization sparked a sudden delight in Balfour, and a smile crept across his lips.
She was jealous.
The anger that had built-up inside him dissipated, and he relaxed his grip on her shoulders. “I had no idea she would be here. I came to see Colton for you.”
“For me?” Ivy was surprised but still skeptical.
She was just a contractual wife to Balfour; why would he seek out Colton for a faux’spouse?
Sensing her disbelief, Balfour sighed. “Colton is an acquaintance. I came to say hello so you wouldn’t be left out in the cold, fumbling and bullied.” Ivy was even more astonished.
Was this for real? Balfour was worried about her being bullied, so he went to greet the director on her behalf. Why?
“Did you… really see Colton for my sake?”
Facing her repeated inquiry, Balfour displayed rare patience as he explained once more, “Yes, I went to Colton for you. How many times do I have to say it before you believe me?”
Truth be told, Ivy could not believe it, or perhaps she was afraid to believe it.
