Chapter 2545
If Ophelia’s heart wasn’t set on dancing but instead fluttered to misguided whims, what was the point of teaching such a student?
The teachers wouldn’t find any sense of achievement, and such a student would only distract the others, stopping them from focusing on their practice.
On the way back, Balfour clutched Ivy’s hand, tracing patterns on the back of it, eyes staring out the window, lost in thought.
Ivy wiggled her fingers, scratching lightly in his palm.
“What’s on your mind? Still worried about Grandma?”
Balfour let out a sigh, gazing at Ivy before suddenly pulling her into an embrace. “I’m worried about Grandma, and I’m worried about you too.”
“Me? What’s there to worry about me?”
Ivy looked up at him, puzzled from within his arms.
“You’re just too kind-hearted, and that’s why people push you around. If I hadn’t shown up today, would you really have kept on competing with that girl?”
Ivy shrugged nonchalantly. “She was just sore about losing, that’s all. I won the first round, and I could beat her in another. She’s no match for me, and she knows it.”
Ivy oversimplified things. Sometimes, it’s not as simple as ‘who’s right and who’s done what.
Take Ophelia today; she had no beef with them, but a few words on the internet, plus Balfour’s daily attentions, had sparked jealousy in her heart.
No matter how many dance-offs Ivy won, Ophelia wouldn’t let it go.
“Don’t think too badly of everyone. I mean, we’ve been through a lot since my debut, but it all turned out okay in the end. And you’ll always be there to watch over me, right?”
Under Ivy’s hopeful gaze, how could Balfour say no?
“Sure, but I’m afraid of being too late one day and you get bullied again. Next time, don’t \just stand there; turn down the challenge, okay? Or better yet, ignore them altogether. Let
thèm talk, and when I get there, you can tell me everything, and I’ll take care of it.”
Balfour spoke earnestly, but Ivy couldn’t help but laugh. “Balfour, do you still see me as a kid? I’m an adult now, I can handle my own problems.”
But Balfour still looked worried. “I know you’re an adult, but some people aren’t as simple as they seem. I’m just glad you don’t have to go to that dance studio anymore. I’d worry about what they might do to you after I left.”
His voice was laden with concern, a genuine fear for Ivy’s well-being.
Alyssa’s fall down the stairs had already given him a heart-wrenching pain. He didn’t want Ivy to experience anything like that.
But she was new to fame and not yet accustomed to having an entourage wherever she went.
And Balfour didn’t want to confine her, allowing only a couple of bodyguards to follow her when she was out.
Even so, Ivy sometimes resented the restriction, but seeing the dark circles under Balfour’s eyes, she’d nod in agreement.
“Don’t think so poorly of her. After all, she’s just a kid who’s come of age, younger than me by a few years. She might be a bit rash over small things. Maybe she just doesn’t like me? Lately, I’ve been good, following your advice, letting the bodyguards come with me when I go out. You don’t need to worry so much.”
