Chapter 2526


    Chapter 2526


    Balfour wanted to refuse, but to his surprise, Ivy, after a moment of contemtion, spoke up and


    insisted that both of them stay.


    “It’s just like Mara mentioned, we’re short-handed at home. Plus, we could use all the help we can get


    to dig up evidence.


    Grandma will be waking up soon, and we’ve got to head to the hospital to take over Grandpa’s shift to


    look after Grandma. With all that’s going on at home, we’re swamped.”


    Even though Alyssa was stillid up in the hospital, her condition unclear, Ivy’s words seemed to


    anchor Balfour’s worry, as if Alyssa’s recovery was guaranteed.


    “You’re right, Ivy. Once grandma wakes up, both you and I need to be there for grandpa. After all, he’s


    getting on in years and can’t be staying at the hospital around the clock.”


    With this thought, Balfour lifted his head and looked at Mara and Olivia with gratitude.


    “I appreciate it, you two. We’ll likely need your assistance moving forward.”


    Olivia smiled, pleasantly surprised by the gratitude, and waved her hands dismissively. “I’m thrilled to


    have been invited today. It’s an unexpected joy. I’m more than happy to lend a hand. Just let me know


    what you need.”


    Mara, however, couldn’t muster a smile. It was she who had initially offered to help, yet now, with Ivy’s


    framing of the situation, it seemed as if it was her persuading Balfour that led to their stay. Was she


    assuming the role of the hostess? Now that they were staying, the situation didn’t sit well with Mara.


    “I’ll have Mark send over the surveince tapes.” Balfour rose to his feet, needing to ke busy or else


    he’d be left at home, anxiously awaiting news from the hospital, a prospe that could lead to his


    unraveling.


    Over the years, Balfour had grown into a level-headed adult, capable of handling whateve the


    corporate world threw at him. Whether it was a betrayal by a long-time senior colleague or an


    unexpected contract termination at a crucial signing, he had weathered it


    all.


    But facing his grandparents’ ident, he couldn’t stay detached.


    Even as he reviewed the surveince footage, his hands trembled.


    Ivy watched him with great concern. She felt helpless, able to offerfort only when good news came


    from the hospital.


    Ivy, too, was worried about Alyssa, especially with Dean steadfast by Alyssa’s side. If something


    serious happened to Alyssa, she feared he might not want to live either.


    The thought of Balfour facing the loss of both grandparents twisted her heart in knots.


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    10:41


    Chapter 2526


    She couldn’t bear the thought of losing them, nor could she stand to see Balfour go through such a


    loss.


    Though Alyssa seemed healthy enough for her age, elderly bones are fragile. That one fall not only


    broke bones but also injured her head


    Ivy sighed deeply, wishing the situation wasn’t as dire as she feared.


    Before leaving, Balfour had warned the guests that if they wanted to offend him, they should feel free to


    spread the news.


    Under the Howard Group’s influence, indeed no one dared to gossip. But in the end, there are no


    secrets that time doesn’t reveal, and the news of the Howard family’s misfortune still slipped out.


    [Tsk, tsk, tsk, don’t you think that certain someone is just bad luck incarnate? Wherever she goes,


    families fall apart!]


    [I feel you. Maybe it’s just bad karma, you know, jinxing her own family.]


    When the word of the Howard family’s troubles hit the streets, it was Ivy who found. herself in the eye


    of the storm.


    Many online voices believed it was Ivy’s arrival that spelled disaster for the family. But Ivy’s fans saw


    the users as nothing more than ignorant fools.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.