Giselle chuckled. âIvy isnât just my friend. Sheâs also a buddy to good old Balfour! I bet you picked Ivy for the role because Balfour put in a good word, right?â
With a smile still gracing her lips, Giselle sauntered to Balfour and peered down at him. âOtherwise, you wouldnât be here today. would you?â
She stared at him, hoping to catch a flicker of emotion on his usually stoic face.
But she saw nothing.
Balfourâs expression remained frosty as his gaze fixed on something distant. âIf you have something to say, say it straight. I donât like beating around the bush.â
âI didnât mean anything by it!â Giselle deflated a bit, then found a chair to slump into. âI just feel pretty useless, thatâs all.â
She hung her head, a self-deprecating chuckle escaping her. âIvy sure knows how to charm people.
She barely knows you, and sheâs already got you going to Colton on her behalf.â
At this, Balfourâs demeanor shifted, his eyes locking with Giselleâs. âYou think I helped her land the part?â
âItâs okay, Balfour. Ivyâs 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.â Giselleâs face twisted into a bitter smile, her eyes brimming with a pitiable light.
âI didnât help her. She got this role on her own merit, not by someone elseâs doing.â Balfour thought of Ivy, his gaze darkening. âI would have helped, but sheâs not one to take shortcuts.â
Giselle was taken aback. She pondered for a moment, refusing to believe Balfourâs words.
How could Ivy turn down Balfourâs help? Who would choose a path filled with thorns over a paved road? It must be that Ivyâs 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. âEnough about that. Itâs almost lunchtime, and Iâm starving. I heard thereâs a new BBQ spot nearby. Balfour, letâs grab lunch together.â
âNo thanks, I have a meeting back at the office.â
Balfour did not spare her another glance as he stood and walked away.
âBalfour,â Ivy reached out, trying to grasp the man, but it was too late, her hand closing on thin air.
Staring at her empty palm, her anger flared.
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, Ivyâs fault!
âBalfour got here early today; his company must have loads of stuff lined up for him,â 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 âBallad of Valorâ 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, replaced by a beaming smile. âI understand. Balfourâs got a huge corporation to run; itâs only natural heâs swamped. Besides, men always prioritize their careers, donât they?â
âYeah, even running my little studio feels overwhelming at times, let alone managing a giant like the Howard Group,â Colton sighed, a hint of exasperation in his voice.