Chapter 1999


    Chapter 1999


    On the other side of town, after sharing a hearty meal, Balfour dropped Ivy off at the Howard Mansion.


    As Ivy stepped out of the car, she noticed Balfour made no move to follow. She turned back and asked,


    “You’re… not getting off?”


    “I’ve got some stuff to handle,” he said with a hint of an apology in his voice.


    Disappointment flickered across Ivy’s face, a bittersweet taste lingering unsaid on her tongue.


    He’s probably off to see Giselle, isn’t he?


    Reading her expression, Balfour offered a wry smile, “I’ve been out of the office all day; there’s a pile of


    work waiting for me. Can’t afford to ck off.”


    “Oh, you’re heading to the office?” Ivy’s spirits lifted, a smile breaking like dawn across her face. “Well,


    don’t work toote, okay? The Howard family’s rolling in dough already; you don’t need to hustle that


    hard. Remember, healthes first.”


    With that, she turned and practically bounced across the front gate.


    Watching her bounce away, Balfour’s gaze softened involuntarily.


    Having such a lively young woman around the house didn’t seem so bad.


    At least, she kept his grandparents chuckling and in high spirits every day.


    With these thoughts, Balfour shook off his reverie and drove off towards his corporate battlefield.


    Ever since the day she scalded her arm, Tessa had been cooped up at home, not setting a foot


    outside.


    ra hadn’t sought her out for any trouble these past few days, and although Finn’s attitude left much


    to be desired, he’d hired a temp to tidy up the ce.


    It was, without a doubt, the mostfortable Tessa had felt in years within the walls of the Dunhill


    residence. As the burn on her arm slowly healed, a rebellious part of her wished the injury wouldn’t


    mend so quickly. But s, things couldn’t go as she wished. And with the wound nearly gone, she


    couldn’t keep shirking her duties. Rather than endure Finn’s disdain, she decided to take the household


    chores back into her own hands.


    The next morning, Tessa particrly got up with the sun, determined to make a splendid breakfast for


    the family.


    As she whisked eggs and flipped pancakes, she couldn’t help but drift her thoughts to Ivy. They used to


    split the chores between them, but now with Ivy gone, it was all on Tessa’s shoulders.


    ? ? ? ?? ? ?? ?


    And how on earth did that girle into such money so suddenly?


    “Where’s the nanny?” Finn’s voice cut through her thoughts as he descended the stairs and settled at


    the breakfast table with a nonchnt air. Tessa poured him a ss of freshly blended orange juice and


    set it before him, “My arm is almost healed. I figured we could let the nanny go to save us some


    money.”


    “Hmm,” was all Finn offered in response, a grunt devoid of care as he buried his attention in his


    breakfast.


    After ushering Finn and ra out the door, Tessa whipped out her phone and dialed Ivy’s number.


    Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    At that moment, Ivy was knee–deep in gardening with Alyssa, arranging flowers and potting nts.


    When she saw Tessa’s name sh on the screen, her expression darkened and she promptly ended


    the call.


    “Who was that, dear?” Alyssa asked, curiosity lighting up her features.


    “It’s nothing, Grandma, Ivy replied, forcing a smile. “Just a telemarketer.”


    Back in her room, Tessa’s anger bubbled over as the call disconnected. With a flick of her wrist, her


    phone soared through the air, crashing onto the bed, “Ivy’s grown herself a pair and now she dares to


    ignore my calls. She must’ve forgotten where she came from!”