Chapter 2453
Seren was kicking herself over her past choices. It was all her fault for being too greedy. If only she had stuck to Mara’s plan, posted those comments online, and then called it quits, things wouldn’t have spiraled out of control like this.
After Mara hung up the phone, she tossed her phone aside with a mocking sneer.
“Grasping for too much, you end up with nothing. It wasn’t my fault that she wanted to play the online celebrity game.”
Luckily, Mara was always one step ahead. She had a backup plan to wash her hands clean of this mess.
The last incident had already rattled Balfour, so she decided to lay low for a while.
If Balfour truly didn’t want to take their relationship to the next level, she’d play the dutiful little sister. But deep down, she was convinced that Balfour held a soft spot for her – it was just Ivy’s presence that was a thorn in her side.
That woman must have pulled some trick to get so close to him. The thought alone made Mara’s blood boil with jealousy.
But there was plenty of time, and Mara was certain Balfour would eventually come around.
Seren was a goner, and only now did she realize the ruthlessness of the woman she had tangled with.
From the start, there was no intention of letting her off scot-free. Despite years of hustling in the world, her own foolishness had led her to be blindsided by a bit of cash.
Sobbing, Seren curled up, facing the grim reality of a three-year prison sentence.
When the court’s verdict came through, Balfour had Leo and his team spread the news, and they even set up an Ivy Studio on the side. Balfour mentioned it to Ivy almost as an afterthought.
Ivy, still reeling from the emotional turmoil, was slow to grasp what was happening around her.
“It’s not too much trouble for you, is it?” she finally asked Balfour.
He took her hand gently, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“Trouble? Have you forgotten? We’re a real married couple now. There’s no such thing as ‘trouble’ between us,” Balfour said with a comforting firmness.
Ivy couldn’t help but smile softly, resting her head on Balfour’s shoulder. She had always been the one to shoulder her burdens alone, growing up in a family that never helped her out of a tight spot.
Moreover, Ivy often struggled to see where the boundary lay between them. It felt like Balfour was always the one making sacrifices for her. Sometimes she feared that he might grow tired of her constant need for support.
As if sensing her inner turmoil, Balfour tilted Ivy’s chin up, urging her to meet his gaze.
“You’re unwell, which is why these thoughts are plaguing you. Once we see the doctor, all these worries will stop haunting you. As for your family, I won’t let them bother you again, rest assured.”
Balfour paused, considering Ivy’s feelings. “Do you still want to see them? If you do, then I can…”
But before he could finish, Ivy shook her head vehemently.
“Let’s do it your way. I don’t want to see them, and honestly, they probably don’t want to see me either,” Ivy said with a bitter smile. Yet her eyes were resolute, as if she had finally made peace with her decision.
“From the day I dragged my suitcase away alone, and not a single one of them stopped me, I promised myself I’d cut ties for good. I never want to see them again.”
