Chapter 2021


    Chapter 2021


    Giselle chuckled. “Ivy isn’t just my friend. She’s also a buddy to good old Balfour! I bet you picked Ivy


    for the role because Balfour put in a good word, right?”


    With a smile still gracing her lips, Giselle sauntered to Balfour and peered down at him. “Otherwise, you


    wouldn’t be here today. would you?”


    She stared at him, hoping to catch a flicker of emotion on his usually stoic face.


    But she saw nothing.


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    Balfour’s expression remained frosty as his gaze fixed on something distant. “If you have something to


    say, say it straight. I don’t like beating around the bush.”


    “I didn’t mean anything by it!” Giselle deted a bit, then found a chair to slump into. “I just feel pretty


    useless, that’s all.”


    She hung her head, a self-deprecating chuckle escaping her. “Ivy sure knows how to charm people.


    She barely knows you, and she’s already got you going to Colton on her behalf.”


    At this, Balfour’s demeanor shifted, his eyes locking with Giselle’s. “You think I helped hernd the


    part?”


    “It’s okay, Balfour. Ivy’s new to the game; she needs these breaks. You lending her a hand saves her


    from running around begging for gigs like I had to.” Giselle’s face twisted into a bitter smile, her eyes


    brimming with a pitiable light.


    “I didn’t help her. She got this role on her own merit, not by someone else’s doing.” Balfour thought of


    Ivy, his gaze darkening. “I would have helped, but she’s not one to take shortcuts.”


    Giselle was taken aback. She pondered for a moment, refusing to believe Balfour’s words.


    How could Ivy turn down Balfour’s help? Who would choose a path filled with thorns over a paved


    road? It must be that Ivy’s acting skills had convinced Balfour of her independence, sweet-talking him


    into offering his assistance.


    It seemed she had underestimated Ivy.


    Giselle kept her thoughts to herself, no longer wanting to dwell on the topic. With a smile, she stood up


    and approached Balfour. “Enough about that. It’s almost lunchtime, and I’m starving. I heard there’s a


    new BBQ spot nearby. Balfour, let’s grab lunch together.”


    “No thanks, I have a meeting back at the office.”


    Balfour did not spare her another nce as he stood and walked away.


    “Balfour,” Ivy reached out, trying to grasp the man, but it was toote, her hand closing on thin air.


    Staring at her empty palm, her anger red.


    Balfour had rejected her for Ivy, embarrassing her in front of Colton.


    Before Ivy came along, Balfour had never treated her this way.


    It was all that bitch, Ivy’s fault!


    “Balfour got here early today; hispany must have loads of stuff lined up for him,” Colton interjected,


    trying to smooth things


    over.


    Giselle snapped back to reality at the sound of his voice. Balfour had left, but Colton was still there.


    Even if the lead role in ‘Bad of Valor’ was off the table, Colton would be directing many more films.


    Giselle needed to keep the rapport strong; there would be other opportunities.


    She turned to face Colton, and in that moment, her anger vanished, reced by a beaming smile. “I


    understand. Balfour’s got a huge corporation to run; it’s only natural he’s swamped. Besides, men


    always prioritize their careers, don’t they?”


    “Yeah, even running my little studio feels overwhelming at times, let alone managing a giant like the


    Howard Group,” Colton sighed, a hint of exasperation in his voice.