Chapter 2268
Jealousy can be a wicked mistress, and for Diana, it proved to be her undoing. She could not stand that Ivy, with her sea of fans and the spotlight shining on her as the lead, was the darling of the stage.
Simply because Ivy was more popular and the chosen heroine, Diana felt the need to snuff out her light.
Would she ever be able to guarantee her reign at the top if Ivy was out of the picture?
Balfour’s brow was furrowed as he contemplated the gravity of the situation. Once Diana confessed, he would return and tell Ivy the news.
No matter how much Diana tried to deny it, the evidence stacked against her was irrefutable. In the end, she had to admit to her crimes.
“It was envy,” she confessed bitterly. “I don’t see where I fall short in looks, performance, and talent. Why did Ivy get to be the lead? Without Balfour’s support, would she really be the star? Would she have amassed such a fan following without her leading role?”
The officers had not expected Diana’s obsession to run so deep. Even as she spoke Ivy’s name, her teeth were clenched in resentment, pinning her faults on someone else and loathing Ivy to her very core.
But even if Ivy had not landed the lead, it was crystal clear it would not have been Diana’s either. She was not even a blip on the radar for the casting directors!
Plus, Ivy’s ascent to stardom was also because Colton had his eye on her from the start. Even without Balfour, he would have picked her.
Only Diana lived in her delusional bubble, believing the world conspired against her, that she was a diamond in the rough, and that everyone else had their connections to thank for their success.
The case was finally drawing to a close, and Balfour decided not to delve any deeper. Knowing that Diana was facing jail time was enough.
Stepping out of the police station, he was greeted by perfect weather. It was time to share the news with Ivy.
[I’ll be back soon with some good news.]
He texted Ivy ahead of time, unable to contain himself.
Waking up to the message, Ivy smiled and texted back a simple “okay.” She looked out the window where Elara had just drawn the curtains back. The weather was indeed lovely, signaling that things were looking up.
Before Balfour could reach his car, his phone rang.
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08:59
“Hello? Balfour?”
Hearing Mara’s voice at this hour was unexpected. She was usually busy with her cello lessons abroad.
“Why are you calling now? Skipping class?” Balfour inquired.
“I took the day off from my cello teacher. Guess where I am?” Mara teased.
Balfour was in a hurry to get back to Ivy with the news. “I’m tied up at the moment. I’ll call you back when I’m free.”
Mara did not expect such a cold response. A sense of crisis crept in; ever since Ivy came into the picture, Mara’s influence seemed to be overshadowed by her.
“Balfour, what’s the rush? You haven’t heard what I have to say. I’m at the airport!”
“Wait, you’re where?” Halfway to ending the call, Balfour’s hand stopped in its tracks. He suspected Mara was joking. She should be at home or at her cello lesson.
Why on earth would she be at the airport?
“Balfour, I’m back in the country! I’m at the airport right now!”
“Why did you fly back alone all of a sudden? Did you bring Olivia with you?” Balfour asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
Olivia was Mara’s close friend who usually accompanied her on her travels.
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