âYouâre just being too sensitive,â Balfour replied with a dismissive tone.
Ivy dropped her gaze, clenching her jaw, opting to stay silent rather than argue.
âCome on, Nolan, we havenât had a meal together yet. No time like the present, join us, will ya?â
Nolan, who hadnât eaten yet, saw this as an opportunity to confirm whether Ivy was indeed Mrs.
Howard, Balfourâs wife.
In the end, no one could withstand Giselleâs persistence, and the group found themselves at a sushi bar not far from the studio lot.
As they settled in, Giselle made a point of sidling up next to Balfour.
Balfour paused mid-sit, glancing over at Ivy who was expressionlessly taking a seat next to Nolan, seemingly unfazed. His expression soured, and the atmosphere around him grew tenser.
âItâs been ages since we were last here. Balfour, do you still remember when we used to come to this place often back when we were kids? We thought this place was the beeâs knees back then. I wonder if itâs still holds up,â Giselle reminisced.
Balfour kept his eyes focused on Ivy across from him, nodding nonchalantly and responding with a distracted âHmmâ.
âYou still remember? I thought I was the only one who remembered this place,â Giselle said, wearing a warm, tender smile, her cheeks flushed with unmistakable joy.
Nolan observed them quietly. If this had been his first encounter with the group, he wouldâve bet his last dollar that Balfour and Giselle were an item.
Ivy kept her head down, her thick hair a veil obscuring her less-than-thrilled mood.
Nolan, aiming to change the subject, brought up family matters.
âBalfour, itâs been a hot minute since I visited Dean and Alyssa. How are they doing? Still in good health?â
Balfour answered blandly, âTheyâre fine. Thanks for asking.â
His tone was indifferent, as if he were speaking to a stranger rather than family.
Nolan wasnât put off by the perceived coldness; after all, his cousin had always been the aloof type.
âThatâs good to hear! Pass on my regards, will ya? Next time Iâm free, Iâll make sure to drop by,â Nolan said with a smile.
Ivy sipped her tea quietly, seemingly detached from the conversation, feeling like an outsider.
Balfour narrowed his eyes, suddenly taking an interest in Nolanâs life. âYouâve got your career on track, and youâre not getting any younger. Got a girlfriend yet?â
Everyone, except Balfour himself, was taken aback by the question it was out of character for him.
Unfazed, Balfour leisurely lifted his cup, savoring a sip. The tea was good; no wonder Ivy seemed so engrossed in it.
Nolan chuckled awkwardly, âMe? Just been buried in work, no time for love still flying solo.â
As he spoke, his gaze inadvertently fell on Ivy next to him.
Balfour let out a soft, meaningful laugh, a sly smile playing on his lips, âNo girlfriend, huh? Maybe Mrs.
Howard here can set you up with someone, right, Ivy?â
The way he said âIvyâ sent shivers down her spine.
Nolan glanced at Ivy, who looked perplexed and a bit annoyed, though she didnât voice any objection.