Chapter 2017: Chapter 2017

“Thanks, but I’m still in the dark about what kind of gig you’re hunting for,” Giselle said, her eyes glittering with a touch of disdain. To her, if Ivy was hustling for a paycheck, then she was no threat at all.

Ivy bowed her head, a guilty flush coloring her cheeks. “I… I haven’t quite figured it out. Just looking for something that fits, you know?”

“Is that so?” Giselle mused, taking a few thoughtful steps before halting in front of Ivy. “Tell you what, I go way back with Colton. When I bump into him later, I’ll put in a good word for you, and maybe he can hook you up with a job or something. How’s that sound?”

For some reason, despite Giselle’s seemingly considerate words, Ivy could not shake off the feeling that the woman before her was terrifying.

There was this nagging sense that made Ivy feel that Giselle was not as benign and straightforward as she appeared. Her motives were beyond Ivy’s comprehension.

“How about a clerical job?” Giselle pondered for a while, then came up with an idea. “Easy work, decent pay. I’ll chat with Colton about it later.”

By now, Ivy realized Giselle was not quite getting the message. She insisted on forcing her ‘kindness,’

regardless of Ivy’s wishes.

But this ‘kindness’ was something Ivy neither needed nor wanted. In fact, it was becoming rather annoying.

“Really, Giselle, there’s no need. I can handle the job hunt on my own.”

After Ivy’s second refusal, Giselle’s pleasant facade visibly crumbled.

She had offered to help Ivy out of the goodness of her heart, even considering whether the job would be easy for her, and yet Ivy was ungrateful.

An awkward silence fell between them until a woman stepped out of the director’s office, smiling as she approached. “Ms. Dunhill, Colton’s waiting for you inside.”

“You know her?” Giselle asked, surprised. This woman was Colton’s right-hand assistant, a key contact for hopeful actors.

She had assumed Ivy was just another auditionee, not someone who knew Colton’s assistant personally.

“Ms. Dunhill is a special guest Colton invited over. Giselle, he’s with another visitor right now, so I’m afraid you’ll have to wait outside for a bit,” the assistant said politely, though Giselle’s complexion soured with each word.

The fact that a superstar like her was waiting while Ivy was treated like an honored guest was a slap in her face.

Giselle’s expression darkened momentarily, but she quickly put on her understanding smile again. “Oh, Ivy’s a guest too? Well, since she was here first, I’ll wait outside then.”

“Great.” The assistant beamed, leading Ivy into the office. “Colton’s been waiting a while now. Come with me, Ms. Dunhill.”

Following her to Colton’s office, Ivy opened the door and entered, only to find Balfour inside!

What was going on?

Ivy nearly thought she was seeing things. She had meant to ask what he was doing there, but then she thought of Giselle waiting outside, and her heart sank.

He really was going the extra mile for Giselle, tagging along for contract talks.

Given the current scene, it seemed he had not known Ivy was signing on for the same project as Giselle.

As a wife under contract, it probably was not wise to reveal her connection with Balfour just yet.

Though her heart was heavy, Ivy still managed to smile as she greeted Colton. “Hey, Director Colton, I’m Ivy Dunhill.”

“Ms. Dunhill, you made it! I can’t tell you how much effort I’ve put into finding the right leading lady for my new film, and it looks like I’ve finally struck gold,” Colton said, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her