Chapter 2260


    Chapter 2260


    “I’ll try to keep it down.” ra whispered.


    Balfour had no objections to the physical check-up. His brow furrowed with concern as


    he apanied ra to the bedside of Ivy, who was just beginning to rouse from her sleep, rubbing


    her eyes wearily.


    “Ugh,” she murmured.


    “Ah, Mrs. Howard, you’re awake. Perfect timing, we need to draw some blood. Once I’m done, you can


    snuggle back under the covers with Mr. Howard for a bit more shut-eye,” ra said with a soft chuckle.


    Ivy, slightly embarrassed, nodded without making eye contact with Balfour, who was standing like a


    sentinel by her bed. She couldn’t believe she had spent thest half hour just watching him sleep.


    As ra prepared to draw Ivy’s blood, Balfour watched intently, concern etched on his face. At the


    slightest furrowing of Ivy’s brow, he couldn’t help but interject, “Can’t you be more gentle?”


    Ivy nced at him, surprised, and then exchanged a look with ra. ra was being as gentle as


    possible, but a needle piercing skin was bound to cause some sensation.


    Noticing Balfour’s pallor, Ivy quickly reassured him, “I’m fine, really. It doesn’t hurt much. ra’s got a


    good hand – quick and smooth.”


    ra didn’t take offense. She understood that family members could get anxious. After pressing a


    cotton ball to the draw site, she excused herself to give them some privacy.


    When they were alone, Balfour sat down beside Ivy and held the cotton in ce, his hand gently


    stroking hers.


    That’s when Ivy noticed something was troubling him. He seemed lost in thought, staring at the small


    puncture wound. She whispered, “It might look painful, but it’s really just like a mosquito bite.”


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    “No way it’s the same. Don’t lie to me. Promise you’ll tell me right away if you’re ever hurt,” he said


    firmly.


    Ivy nodded silently, then asked, “Did something happenst night?”


    He met her gaze, then looked away as if debating whether to tell her the truth.


    “Does it have to do with me? Trouble on the set again?”


    Ivy’s expression tightened with anxiety. Despite her own frail state, the mere mention of the film set


    unsettled her.


    Balfour couldn’t fathom what kind of spell that ce cast over her.


    “Don’t worry. Apart from you, the set’s fine. We caught a suspect who may be behind your ident and


    traced several clues through him,” Balfour exined, trying to ease her worries.


    Ivy’s heart raced. She had thought the near drowning was an ident. The idea that someone had


    deliberately tried to harm her was frightening. Why would anyone go to such lengths to hurt her?


    Reading her expression, Balfour reassured her, “You don’t need to worry about these things. Just


    remember that you’re the victim here, and you’ve done nothing wrong. I’ll handle the rest and let you


    know once it’s all sorted.”


    His words bolstered her spirits, and the warmth from his palm soothed her. His grip on her hand gave


    her strength.


    Ivy had woken up early, and soon her eyelids drooped again with fatigue. Recognizing her need to rest,


    Balfour left her to sleep peacefully before heading out.


    He drove to the film set, using the quiet time to piece together the events of the previous night.


    They had apprehended Kael without causing a stir, detaining him on the set premises.


    Facing Kael, Colton couldn’t grasp why he would throw away his future.


    Was it all for Diana?


    Diana had always looked down on the average Joe. Prideful and ambitious, she only had eyes for men


    of stature.


    Kael, having been in her orbit for years, should have known that better than anyone.


    Yet, he refused to ept it, seemingly willing to risk everything for her.