Chapter 2526
Balfour wanted to refuse, but to his surprise, Ivy, after a moment of contemplation, spoke up and insisted that both of them stay.
“It’s just like Mara mentioned, we’re short-handed at home. Plus, we could use all the help we can get to dig up evidence.
Grandma will be waking up soon, and we’ve got to head to the hospital to take over Grandpa’s shift to look after Grandma. With all that’s going on at home, we’re swamped.”
Even though Alyssa was still laid up in the hospital, her condition unclear, Ivy’s words seemed to anchor Balfour’s worry, as if Alyssa’s recovery was guaranteed.
“You’re right, Ivy. Once grandma wakes up, both you and I need to be there for grandpa. After all, he’s getting on in years and can’t be staying at the hospital around the clock.”
With this thought, Balfour lifted his head and looked at Mara and Olivia with gratitude.
“I appreciate it, you two. We’ll likely need your assistance moving forward.”
Olivia smiled, pleasantly surprised by the gratitude, and waved her hands dismissively. “I’m thrilled to have been invited today. It’s an unexpected joy. I’m more than happy to lend a hand. Just let me know what you need.”
Mara, however, couldn’t muster a smile. It was she who had initially offered to help, yet now, with Ivy’s framing of the situation, it seemed as if it was her persuading Balfour that led to their stay. Was she assuming the role of the hostess? Now that they were staying, the situation didn’t sit well with Mara.
“I’ll have Mark send over the surveillance tapes.” Balfour rose to his feet, needing to ke busy or else he’d be left at home, anxiously awaiting news from the hospital, a prospe that could lead to his unraveling.
Over the years, Balfour had grown into a level-headed adult, capable of handling whateve the corporate world threw at him. Whether it was a betrayal by a long-time senior colleague or an unexpected contract termination at a crucial signing, he had weathered it
all.
But facing his grandparents’ accident, he couldn’t stay detached.
Even as he reviewed the surveillance footage, his hands trembled.
Ivy watched him with great concern. She felt helpless, able to offer comfort only when good news came from the hospital.
Ivy, too, was worried about Alyssa, especially with Dean steadfast by Alyssa’s side. If something serious happened to Alyssa, she feared he might not want to live either.
The thought of Balfour facing the loss of both grandparents twisted her heart in knots.
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Chapter 2526
She couldn’t bear the thought of losing them, nor could she stand to see Balfour go through such a loss.
Though Alyssa seemed healthy enough for her age, elderly bones are fragile. That one fall not only broke bones but also injured her head
Ivy sighed deeply, wishing the situation wasn’t as dire as she feared.
Before leaving, Balfour had warned the guests that if they wanted to offend him, they should feel free to spread the news.
Under the Howard Group’s influence, indeed no one dared to gossip. But in the end, there are no secrets that time doesn’t reveal, and the news of the Howard family’s misfortune still slipped out.
[Tsk, tsk, tsk, don’t you think that certain someone is just bad luck incarnate? Wherever she goes, families fall apart!]
[I feel you. Maybe it’s just bad karma, you know, jinxing her own family.]
When the word of the Howard family’s troubles hit the streets, it was Ivy who found. herself in the eye of the storm.
Many online voices believed it was Ivy’s arrival that spelled disaster for the family. But Ivy’s fans saw the accusers as nothing more than ignorant fools.
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