The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1945

Balfour didn’t give the man a second glance as he pushed his wine glass aside and strode down the stairs. “Talk to Quinton about work stuff; he’ll pass your proposal to me.”

With those words hanging in the air, Balfour descended without a backward glance, leaving the middle-aged man looking helplessly after him, not daring to follow or speak further.

Reaching the bottom of the staircase, Balfour made a beeline for Ivy. He was curious to see what all the fuss was about, what could his flamboyant fiancée possibly be discussing so animatedly with another man?

“When did you get here?” Balfour’s voice cut through the chatter.

Ivy’s smile froze upon hearing the familiar tone. She turned her head and, as expected, found Balfour with that stern expression plastered on his face. Just by looking at his countenance, she could tell he was not in the best of moods.

Thinking of Nolan sitting beside her, Ivy inwardly muttered, “This doesn’t look good…”

here she was, laughing it up with

to reply, “I

to his feet before Ivy could finish her sentence. “Didn’t expect to see you here, my dear cousin.” Wait,

expected Nolan to be Balfour’s cousin. The

into their conversation; she wasn’t ready for Nolan to learn about her ‘marital’

country for a few days, quite busy, actually. Haven’t had the chance to visit your parents. How are they doing?” Nolan engaged Balfour in family

remained fixed on Ivy, showing no interest in Nolan’s questions, responding only

show up?” Balfour asked Ivy,

shattered Ivy’s

look crossing his face as he turned to her. “Ivy, you know

know him,” Ivy replied awkwardly, forcing a smile through her discomfort.

my cousin?”