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…”

business partnership, and here she was, laughing it up with another guy in public. No doubt Balfour was irked

stood up to reply, “I was just…”

only arrived a short while ago,” Nolan cut in, rising to his feet before Ivy could finish her

She hadn’t expected Nolan to be Balfour’s cousin. The world seemed impossibly

Balfour wouldn’t probe further into their conversation; she wasn’t ready for Nolan to learn about her ‘marital’ status with Balfour.

Haven’t had the chance to visit your parents. How are they

on Ivy, showing no interest in Nolan’s questions, responding only with a noncommittal hum.

did you show up?” Balfour asked

question shattered Ivy’s hopes.

blinked, a puzzled look crossing his face as he turned to

awkwardly, forcing

my cousin?”