Chapter 2026
Balfour picked up his coffee mug and took a sip. “No, it didn’t go under. I stepped in and bought it out before it could.”
“Really?” Giselle’s face lit up with delight. “Does that mean we can still get it? Balfour, when can you take me on a factory tour?”
While they chatted, Ivy’s gaze never left her smartphone, her fingers flicking across the screen in silent concentration.
These stories from their shared past did not include her; she had no comments to add. Aside from scrolling through her phone, she could not think of anything else to do.
Giselle’s topic of conversation seemed designed to put distance between Ivy and the two of them.
She was making it clear that she and Balfour were childhood friends, the perfect match.
Engrossed in her phone, a notification drew Ivy’s attention-Nolan had sent her a message.
[Heard you landed a role in Colton’s new movie, congrats!]
Her first reaction was to wonder how Nolan knew about this, but then it clicked. Colton had cast her after seeing the Harris Group commercial, so Nolan must have caught wind of it, too.
Ivy replied,
[Thanks. Speaking of which, I owe you one. I’d never have gotten this role without that ad you shot.]
[It’s only because you did great. Remember me when you’re a big star, okay?]
[Don’t tease me, Nolan. I’m not even sure if I can pull this off. If I bomb, it’s curtains for me.]
[Don’t worry, you’ll be fantastic. I believe in you.]
Acting was a nerve-wracking prospect for Ivy, but these were worries she did not feel she could share with just anyone.
Chatting with Nolan, however, eased her mind considerably.
What she did not know was that Balfour had been eyeing her with a cold gaze the whole time.
“What are you chatting about?” Unable to contain himself, Balfour snatched the phone from her grasp, and after seeing the exchange between her and Nolan, his expression turned even darker.
Ivy was anxious about the upcoming role, yet she preferred to message Nolan rather than share with him, the person sitting right in front of her.
“Give it back,” Ivy reached out to retrieve her phone, but he dodged her hand.
Balfour locked the phone and set it aside. “No phones at the dinner table. Let’s enjoy our meal.”
“I haven’t finished replying.” Ivy thought it rude not to respond to Nolan since he had helped her, so she attempted to take back her phone.
But Balfour’s grim expression was intimidating. “Fine, let’s eat first!”
Discretion was the better part of valor, she thought. With Balfour looking so agitated, pushing the issue might just set him off.
It was better to appease him with a peaceful meal and retrieve her phone to reply later.
Once Ivy dropped the subject, Balfour’s features softened slightly.
Giselle watched their interaction with burning jealousy.
She could not believe how much Balfour cared about Ivy’s every move. Since when were they this close?
She had spent more than a decade trying to get closer to Balfour, yet Ivy had managed it in a fraction of the time.
Damn it, what did Ivy have that she did not?
“Balfour, I heard there’s a new spot called Culinary Haven near your office. Are you free tomorrow evening? Let’s go check it out together, Giselle suggested with a smile, trying to reinsert herself into the conversation.
