Chapter 1951


    Chapter 1951


    Ivy felt a twinge of embarrassment stir within her as she recalled the words Balfour had said to Nn.


    She never felt worthy of Nn before, and now, more than ever, she knew it was foolish to even


    entertain the notion.


    “Why are you all by yourself? Where’s my cousin?” Nn’s voice pulled her from her reverie, and Ivy


    looked up to see him approach with that same warm, gentlemanly smile.


    Her lips curled into a faint smile as she replied, “He’s chatting with a friend. I thought I’d take a stroll.”


    “His friend?” Nn pondered for a moment. “It must be Giselle, right?”


    Hearing Giselle’s name dimmed Ivy’s spirits.


    Of course. Giselle and Balfour had been childhood sweethearts, and it seemed that everyone’s first


    thought of Balfour’s friends was her


    “Have you met Giselle?” Nn asked,ing to stand beside her. “She’s quite the celebrity now, with


    a legion of fans.”


    Ivy nodded, maintaining her smile, “I’ve seen her. Yes, she’s very beautiful. But I’m not really into the


    showbiz scene, so I didn’t recognize her at first.”


    “It seems like even back in high school, you weren’t much into that stuff. All the other girls were


    starstruck, except you. Some things never change.”


    Back then, Ivy was a loner; others saw her as aloof and antisocial.


    “No, it’s not that. I was just too caught up in my studies, so I didn’t have much time to focus on other


    things, Ivy chuckled, choosing not to bring up the pressures she faced at that time.


    How had she been all these years?


    “So…” Nn hesitated before asking, “How did you and my cousin end up together?”


    Ivy knew this question wasing. After all, she and Balfour seemed worlds apart; anyone who looked


    at them would be curious about how they ended up together.


    “It was just a casual acquaintance,” Ivy said with a rueful smile, deliberately vague. “But, the news of


    our marriage isn’t public yet, Nn. Please, try not to mention it to anyone.”


    A tinge of sadness flickered in Nn’s eyes as he forced a smile, “Don’t worry, nobody dares to gossip


    about Balfour’s business.”


    For years, Nn had strove to catch up to Balfour’s sess.


    But Balfour’s starting point was already the finish line for many. Catching up to Balfour was easier said


    than done.


    Now, as the head of the Howard family, even Nn’s family, independent as they were, didn’t dare


    cross Balfour.


    While they conversed, Ivy’s phone buzzed. She nced at the message from Balfour.


    [Giselle got drunk, so I’m giving her a lift home. Just ring up Quinton, and he’lle to pick you up.]


    Sighing at the message, Ivy felt like an afterthought, disposable no matter where she was.


    “Nn, I’m sorry, but it’s gettingte, and I should head back. Let’s catch up some other time,” Ivy said


    with a smile, excusing herself from the party. Walking down the street in her high heels, Ivy felt a


    suffocating sense of oppression.


    She didn’t call Quinton, preferring the solitude of her ownpany on the sidewalk.


    But these high heels were nothing short of beautiful torture; they looked great, but walking in them was


    a nightmare!


    Irritated, Ivy slipped off the heels and walked barefoot, feeling out of ce amid the glitz and mour.


    A white sedan pulled up beside her, and Nn’s face appeared at the window, smiling, “Ivy, get in. I’ll


    drive you home.”N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.