Chapter 2160
Ivy had never been one to splurge on brunches and dinners to butter up her social circle. The distrust served her right, some would mutter under their breaths.
At the end of the day, it was her lack of social grace that set her apart from the
—
high-society wives – the basic etiquette she lacked. How could she possibly stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of the Balfours?
The more indifferent Ivy appeared, the more pitiful Giselle seemed with her tear-stained cheeks and quivering lips, which only riled Ivy further. Yet, everyone else seemed to fall for Giselle’s lies.
“If you’re all hell-bent on pinning this on me, then there’s nothing more I can say. I don’t owe an explanation to those who don’t trust me! When Colton arrives with the updates, the truth will out,” Ivy declared with a defiant tilt of her chin, which only made her
colleagues loathe her more.
What was she so smug about?
The surveillance footage was clear as day. Who else wore the same outfit as she did that
day?
“Ivy, give it a rest. The footage is crystal clear. We’re not idiots,” someone said, trying to reason with her. “Just admit it was an accident, apologize to everyone, and maybe take a bouquet to Diana to make amends. If you can get Diana’s forgiveness, you might still have a shot in this circle. Otherwise, not even I can save you. Ivy, don’t be so stubborn. Admitting you’re wrong is the first step.”
A bespectacled woman stepped in to stop Giselle, “Why bother defending someone so heartless? It’s pointless! Her heart’s as black as coal. You can’t reason with her. If you keep her as a friend, you might just be the next one to get hurt.”
“Yeah, Giselle, keep your distance from her. We all want to keep seeing you on the silver screen. People like Ivy come and go. If she vanishes, she vanishes.”
Giselle hung her head, the picture of helplessness.
“You don’t understand. Ivy wasn’t always like this. Ever since she got into showbiz, I guess the thirst for fame changed her into someone I no longer recognize.”
Ivy crossed her arms, eyeing Giselle with disapproval as she narrated their shared history, “Sorry, but we weren’t exactly close. Why are you so invested in concocting my past? Do you even know what I was like before? We didn’t even know each other, did we?”
Giselle dabbed her eyes, “Ivy, when will you see the light…”
Upon hearing Giselle’s words, everyone became more convinced that Ivy had been corrupted by the allure of fame and fortune, unable to bear the thought of her spotlight
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stolen by a supporting actress, and so she resorted to sabotage.
“With such devious intentions, she’s clearly not cut out for the entertainment industry. How can someone so fixated on fame and fortune ever settle down to deliver a good performance?” Even the seasoned cameraman, usually aloof from the actors’ squabbles, couldn’t help but pass judgment. Giselle’s narrative had swayed the rest.
Ivy’s gaze swept over them, meeting eyes filled with condemnation, some even gleeful in anticipation of the unfolding drama. Not a single person stood by her side.
“What’s all the hubbub about? Seems like there’s never a dull moment with you lot!” The voice belonged to none other than Balfour, suddenly making his presence known amid
the commotion.
Ivy’s spirits lifted momentarily upon seeing him. Why was he here? Hadn’t he left for the office early this morning? Why would he show up in the studio?
With Balfour’s arrival, Ivy’s emotions were a whirlwind of confusion. She was unsure
whether he was here for her or for Giselle.
Her gaze at Balfour was heavy, filled with dejection and a touch of embarrassment.
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