The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1949

It seemed that Balfour was keen on keeping his relationship with Ivy under wraps from Giselle.

“A friend? Like a girlfriend, or just a pal?” Giselle teased with a playful grin.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Balfour declared, “Just a pal.”

Ivy, slightly uncomfortable, pressed her lips together in a tight smile and approached, “Mr. Howard and I have only just met, actually. I heard about this shindig and asked him to show me the ropes. Don’t get it twisted, Giselle.”

Since Balfour didn’t want Giselle in the loop about their connection, Ivy naturally played along with the charade.

Balfour was her boss, and she had already managed to rub him the wrong way earlier; now was the time to make amends.

Giselle didn’t let on whether she bought Ivy’s story or not, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she stepped forward with a smile, linking her arm with Balfour’s. “If she’s your friend, she’s mine too. Oh, I forgot to ask, how should I address this lady?”

“Ivy.” Despite playing Balfour’s wife for an extended period, Ivy had never shown any public displays of affection with Balfour. Yet, here was this leading actress, latching onto his arm as if it was the most natural thing in the world?

for excessive physical contact with the opposite sex, so Ivy always maintained

casually taken his arm, and Balfour hadn’t even

two shared a special rapport.

pursed her lips, feeling an inexplicable tightness in

up!” Giselle maintained her generous smile and led the way upstairs with

with a

floor was more private, and Giselle opened one of the doors to

been, Giselle? We’ve been waiting for you to toast!”

here too!”

behind, feeling like an outsider.

fortune, a close-knit circle of

there, and the topics flew over her head. She didn’t

sit down and grabbed a glass of punch.

over at Balfour not far away, she noticed him sitting next to Giselle, his gaze softer

and Giselle together made Ivy’s heart sink.