Chapter 2226
The shadow loomed over Colton, a tangible weight pressing down with oppressive force.
“Exactly what instructions did I leave before I took off?” Balfour demanded from his elevated position. “Is this how you look after Ivy for me?”
Colton hung his head, sensing the enormity of his responsibility.
Balfour had explicitly instructed him before leaving for his trip abroad to keep Ivy safe at all costs, and any issues would be dealt with upon his return.
However, Colton hadn’t anticipated that as soon as Balfour boarded his flight, a series of unfortunate events would unfold one after another.
Despite his best intentions to protect Ivy, an accident had happened on his watch.
“Mr. Howard, I’m truly sorry, but she rehearsed that scene numerous times and insisted on doing it herself…”
“You know she’s stubborn as a mule. If she’s capable, she’d surely opted not to use a stunt double. You could’ve easily told her to use a double! Didn’t you know she can’t swim?”
Under Balfour’s intense scrutiny, Colton remained silent. It was the producer who, despite the overwhelming pressure, offered a feeble defense.
“Mr. Howard, you’re well aware of your wife’s temperament. Even if the director had opted for a double, she would’ve fought tooth and nail to get her way. She tried again and again, determined to prove herself. There’s only so much we could do to stop an actor driven by such determination…”
“Really? Is that your excuse? So, Ivy’s condition has nothing to do with all of you?”
The atmosphere in the hospital corridor was heavy with silence, both men at a loss for words.
Just then, the emergency room light went off, and the doctor emerged. Balfour turned sharply and strode over.
“Where are the patient’s family members?” The doctor looked around. “The patient is awake.”
Before Colton could even sigh in relief, he hurried after Balfour.
“How is she? Is she still in danger?” Balfour struggled to maintain composure, but the edge in his voice betrayed his unrest.
“Mrs. Howard is out of danger now. The resuscitation took longer because we had to clear her lungs of water. Why would someone who can’t swim be in the water? What exactly happened? If necessary, the family may want to look into this.”
1/2
09:06
“She’s an actress. She was trying to perfect a drowning scene, so she overcame her fear and insisted on getting into the water.” The producer chimed in from the side.
The doctor nodded in understanding but offered his advice.
“In the future, please ensure actions are within one’s capabilities. After an incident like this, Mrs. Howard might develop an even greater fear of the water. If there are alternatives to such scenes, it’s worth considering them. A movie runs for a few hours; using a double for a single scene shouldn’t pose a problem. Nothing is more important than a person’s safety, you know?” the doctor admonished.
Both Colton and the producer exchanged glances, realizing the doctor was right; they should never have agreed to let Ivy do the scene herself. It seemed callous in retrospect.
At that moment, all Balfour wanted was to see Ivy.
As the two men began to offer further explanations, Alyssa and Dean approached with stern faces.
“Colton, whatever you two have to say can wait for another time. Now, only our family can stay here. Both of you, kindly make your exit,” Alyssa stated in no uncertain terms, clearly signaling the end of the visit.
Understanding the cue, Colton and the producer excused themselves politely and made their exit.
Returning to the set, they were greeted with yet another mess to clean up, exhaustion weighing heavily on them.
Alas!
