Chapter 2054
“Ah, it’s Grandma Alyssa,” Ivy murmured, her lips pursing just as she strove to maintain a serene facade.
Giselle chuckled, her eyebrows arching playfully. “You bet! Grandma Alyssa’s cooking is something I wouldn’t miss for the world! She’s always had a soft spot for me ever since I was a little girl. I used to always pop over to the Howard Mansion to hang out with Balfour, and the dear lady would spoil us with candy!”
Indeed. Giselle and Balfour had been thick as thieves since they were knee-high to a grasshopper, so naturally, Alyssa would have known her from way back.
And given how stunning Giselle had turned out, she must have been quite the adorable tyke.
Facing such a cherubic little darling, it was no wonder Alyssa had been so taken with her.
What Ivy could not fathom, though, was why Alyssa had not played cupid with those two.
She would not be stuck here if they had ended up together, playing this ridiculous charade!
Ivy shook her head, unwilling to dwell on it any longer.
“Ms. Dunhill, you and Balfour have been hitched for a good stretch now. Surely you must’ve had the pleasure of Grandma Alyssa’s home cooking by now?”
Giselle’s eyes bore into Ivy, catching the fleeting flicker of discomfort. Feigning shock, her hand flew to her mouth as she exclaimed, “My goodness, Ivy, don’t tell me you’ve never had the honor? After all this time!”
Ivy’s frown deepened. It was clear as day; Giselle was showing her cozy relationship with Grandma Alyssa.
Well, good for her. Ivy could not care less.
With a small, indifferent smile, Ivy retorted, “Since you’re so tight with Grandma, you should definitely spend some quality time catching up with her later. I’m feeling a tad worn out. I’ll excuse myself and head up to my room to rest.”
With those words, Ivy started for the stairs. She was genuinely exhausted, both body and soul.
From the corner of her eye, Giselle watched Ivy’s ascent, envy smoldering within.
Why should Ivy get to prance up to Balfour’s room so confidently? Did she even deserve that privilege?
What old times could Giselle possibly reminisce about with Alyssa?
Sure, she had grown up alongside Balfour, but her family’s status was a far cry from the Howards’. They were merely acquaintances of acquaintances, nothing more.
The crux of the matter was that Alyssa had never liked Giselle, often preventing her from visiting Balfour as a child.
Later, when Giselle entered showbiz and needed connections, she had to turn to Balfour for help.
Alyssa might have looked the other way, never openly objecting. Still, Giselle knew she had made it clear behind closed doors: The Howard family would not allow women from the entertainment industry to cross their threshold!
That decree had been aimed squarely at her!
And now here was Ivy, dipping her toes in showbiz as well, yet the old bat had not kicked her out!
Giselle settled onto the couch, her mind racing with strategies…
She could not let this rare visit to the Howard Mansion go to waste!
“Balfour, you’re back!”
Ivy had not even reached her room when the joyful greeting echoed from the foyer.
