Chapter 2082
The silverware clattered against the table, startling Ivy in the hush of the elegantly quiet dining room.
“Sorry, butterfingers,” Balfour muttered, dabbing his mouth with a napkin, his face a mask of cool detachment. “Perhaps we should skip the latte for Ivy in the future. She’s an actress now, and the director wants her in shape for filming. Don’t you agree?”
He shot Ivy a look that clearly meant she was to decline.
She had merely exchanged a few words with Nolan, and here he was, meddling. Did he ever consider how awkward it felt for her when he reminisced with Giselle about their shared past?
But what could she do? After all, the man was her creditor.
Ivy shrugged. “You’re right. An occasional treat is fine, but if I indulged every day, Colton would have my head.”
Nolan frowned in obvious disapproval of Balfour’s comment.
“You’re already slim as it is. A bit more weight would actually suit you.”
Flustered by Nolan’s compliment, Ivy offered a shy smile.
Her order of eel casserole finally arrived, accompanied by an assortment of sushi that screamed expensive with its fresh, raw delicacies.
But Ivy had barely taken a bite when her phone rang with a call from the set.
“Ivy, where are you right now?”
“Leo? Is something up at the set? I’m at the Japanese restaurant near the studio lot.”
She set down her fork, ready to leave. Calls during a break usually meant an emergency.
“Oh, Ivy, thank goodness you’re still around. Colton was just looking for you. There are some scenes we need to reshoot. If it were for later scenes, I wouldn’t bother, but these shots need to be edited into today’s footage. You know Colton, a perfectionist to a fault. I wouldn’t interrupt your break unless it was absolutely necessary. If you’ve finished eating, could you please come back now?”
Leo was one of the few crew members who respected Ivy’s time.
“Sure! I’m done. I’ll be back in twenty minutes, okay?”
As she spoke, Ivy stood up, phone in hand.
“Sorry, I’ve got to cut this lunch short. Something’s come up on set.”
“I’ll drive you!”
“I’ll take you…”
Balfour and Nolan spoke at once, creating an awkward silence.
“Since I’m here, there’s no need to trouble anyone else,” Balfour declared, standing with an air of finality as if staking his claim.
Giselle, whose sights were set on Balfour, was visibly upset. Without him, the lunch lost its purpose.
“Balfour, wait… could you take me to the hospital? I think I ate too much raw fish. My stomach is killing me.”
The waiter rolled his eyes massively at the side; the woman was evidently putting on her own little show. Couldn’t she find fault with something other than the sushi at their restaurant? After all, they only used the freshest ingredients!
Nolan raised an eyebrow. She was fine just moments ago, and now she couldn’t even stand straight? He pondered for a second. and seemed to catch on.
Balfour, why don’t you take Giselle and I’ll take care of Ivy?”
Balfour glanced at Giselle’s condition, his face stern. “I’m not a doctor, and my car isn’t an ambulance. For your safety, it’s best to call for a real ambulance.
