Chapter 1974


    Chapter 1974


    “Let me give you a ride.”


    Ivy thought Balfour would just dump her and rush off to meet Giselle, or asked her to call Quinton for a


    ride at most.


    But Balfour didn’t bolt today. Seeing Ivy injured, he couldn’t just leave her behind.


    “Come on, I’ll take you home.”


    Ivy didn’t want to be a burden, insisting she could get home on her own. But Balfour insisted on driving


    her.


    “Thanks.”


    They pulled up to the Howard Mansion. Ivy expressed her gratitude again before stepping.


    out of the car.


    Balfour suddenly called out to her “Ivy, get some rest at home. You don’t need to worry about job–


    hunting. Forget about the three million. You don’t have to pay it back.”


    Ivy froze for a moment, “No. I know you’re just feeling sorry for me, Mr. Howard. But we agreed it was a


    loan, and I will pay back to you!”


    Balfour’s brows furrowed, “If you y the part of Mrs. Howard for a year, the money is your bonus.”


    His words left Ivy disoriented, her heart in a bit of chaos.


    Watching Balfour drive away, Ivy clutched at her chest once more.


    What was happening today? Why was her heart racing out of control?


    She couldn’t afford to fall for that man. She and Balfour were worlds apart!


    Then her thoughts drifted to Giselle. Balfour was already taken. All Giselle needed to do was dial his


    number, and he would drop everything to be by her side.


    Ivy, don’t indulge yourself in forbidden thoughts! Don’t blur the lines of who you are! She silently told


    herself.


    Entering the Howard Estate, Ivy greeted her grandparents inw, who were tending to nts in the


    living room. With a practiced smile, she greeted, “Grandma, Grandpa, what are you up to?”


    “Ivy, dear, Balfour’s cousin brought over some potted nts. And we’re just figuring out where to ce


    them,’ Dean Howard said with a chuckle.


    That’s wonderful! You both seem to have quite the green thumb,” Ivy said, admiring the effortless bond


    between her grandparents, always so full ofughter and conversation.


    Chapter 194


    “Retirement leaves us with plenty of time on our hands, just tinkering around,” Alyssa replied, carefully


    tending to the nts.


    Having nothing else to do, Ivy joined in, “Grandma, take me as your apprentice. I want to learn how to


    garden too.”


    After arranging the nts with Alyssa, Ivy noticed a notification pop up on her phone: “Celebrity spotted


    with mystery boyfriend at hotel, rumored romance revealed.”


    She usually had little interest in such gossip. But today, for some reason, she clicked on


    the news.


    The article was apanied by photos of Giselle and another man. But the man’s face was pixted


    out, his features indiscernible.


    Despite the blurred face, Ivy recognized the outfit. Balfour wore the same one today.


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    Even though she knew Balfour was off to see Giselle, the notion that they were at a hotel together and


    the news of their publicized romance twisted something inside Ivy. She couldn’t help but care.


    Balfour had made it abundantly clear that she should keep a distance from other men, to prevent any


    scandal that could tarnish the Howard family’s reputation. Yet here he was, unting his rtionship


    with Giselle, making his “wife” Ivy look like a fool!


    If they were so in love, why didn’t they just get married? Why drag her into ying the Howard


    matriarch? It all seemed so pointless and unreasonable