Chapter 2321
Just moments ago, Mara had practically thrown herself at the doctor, begging him to prescribe her a couple of sprays to reduce swelling.
What kind of doctor turns down easy money like that?
The doctor didn’t seem fazed by her glare. He just kept his gaze lowered, avoiding Mara’s eyes as he muttered, “If you’re not sick, you really shouldn’t come to the hospital. You’ve paid, sure, but you’re also wasting resources that others might desperately need, right? Ms. Lewis, you are free to leave now.”
Balfour’s eyes remained downcast, his expression unreadable, but even Mara could feel the chill emanating from him.
“Balfour, don’t listen to this quack! My leg is killing me, and he insists I’m fine. Let’s try another hospital, okay?”
She reached out, trying to tug at Balfour’s sleeve with a whine.
But Balfour stepped back, leaving Mara grasping at thin air.
“If you’re not sick, let’s not waste any more of the doctor’s time. There are plenty of people who actually need medical attention!” he said sternly.
Without waiting for a response, he scooped up Ivy and left, leaving Mara behind with whatever face she was making.
Holding Ivy close, Balfour didn’t realize how tight his grip was until she let out an annoyed huff. He loosened his hold immediately. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so rough.”
Wrapped in his arms, Ivy shook her head. “Are you upset?”
“Yeah, shouldn’t I be?”
His anger was directed at Mara, but also at himself for getting duped by her antics. He knew all too well how sensitive and prone to jealousy Mara could be. If she hadn’t been injured, she knew Balfour wouldn’t have been so easily fooled.
Today’s drama was all Mara’s doing, feigning injury to gain his concern while she remained unscathed. But the real victim was lvy, dragged into this mess and now nursing a twisted ankle because of it. And there he was, scolding her without knowing the full story, feeling a wave of apology towards Ivy and holding her even closer.
“What would you do to Ms. Lewis now that she did something wrong?” Ivy asked, her tone calm but her ears perked up with curiosity. She wanted to know if Balfour would punish the woman who caused her twisted ankle and disrupted the Howard family’s peace.
Balfour was at a loss for words.
Mara was an adult, an independent being accountable for her own actions.
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09:45
Chapter 2321
What was he to her? Not her boss, not her elder-how could he punish someone who wasn’t his responsibility?
“She did wrong, but it’s not my place to punish her.”
Ivy’s heart skipped a beat. Even now, he was still reluctant to punish Mara, despite all the trouble she’d caused. It seemed Balfour truly had a soft spot for Mara.
Since that was his stance, Ivy didn’t want to push the issue. She quietly settled into his embrace as he helped her into the car and buckled her in. When Balfour tried to strike up a conversation, she closed her eyes, pretending to rest.
Believing the day’s events had worn her out, Balfour didn’t press further. He started the car and drove smoothly back home, maintaining a steady pace to let Ivy rest more
comfortably.
And in the quiet calm of the ride, Ivy actually drifted off to sleep.
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