Ivyâs gaze dropped, the weight of realization heavy in her eyes. She knew she wasnât the one he desired, which was precisely why he hadnât stayed with her today.
But she quickly covered for Balfour with an excuse, âHeâs swamped with work and so busy. Who isnât working these days? I should- be heading to the studio soon myself.â
A small laugh escaped Ivy, but the tears brimming in her eyes made Grandmaâs heart ache even more.
âWhat happened next? How did Balfour find out you were kidnapped?â Grandma asked, her voice laced with concern.
Ivy bit her lip, hesitant, âI forced the kidnapper to charge a million dollars on the credit card Balfour gave me. He sensed something was off and came after me with help. If it wasnât for his sharp instincts, I might haveâ¦â
Grandmaâs expression turned frosty, âMy dear, youâve been through so much. Did they find out who was behind it?â
Ivy was torn. How could she admit that the person who had harmed her was her own flesh and blood?
âIt wasâ¦
Clara.â
Grandpa pondered for a moment, âThat name sounds a bit familiar.â
Ivy sighed, âGrandpa, youâre not wrong. Sheâs my sister.â
âWhat?â
Both Grandma and Grandpa were flabbergasted. The idea of a sister meticulously plotting against her own sibling was absurd to them.
Grandma was resolute, âYou shouldnât go filming today. Itâs too dangerous after what youâve just been through. Taking a day off is only reasonable. If youâre worried about speaking to the crew, Iâll handle it.â
She reached for her phone, but Ivy quickly stopped her.
âGrandma, thereâs no need! If we donât film todayâs scenes, itâll delay the whole production schedule.
Besides, Claraâs been arrested. Sheâs in jail now so no one else is going to hurt me!â
Yet, the old lady felt the outside world was fraught with dangers. Even Ivyâs sister could hurt her, not to mention others.
âDo you really have to go to the set today?â Grandma asked. Her brow was furrowed with worry, but seeing Ivy nod, she didnât push further.
After all, the young couple were workaholics.
âAlright then, letâs have the family driver take you to and from the set. Weâll also assign a couple of bodyguards to accompany you. I promise they wonât interfere with your work, okay?â
Ivy nodded obediently, knowing that everything Grandma arranged was out of concern for her.
âGrandma, Grandpa, donât worry. Iâll be extra cautious from now on and take good care of myself.â
Grandma stroked Ivyâs hair with a tender touch. She just thought the kid to be so well-behaved.
She couldnât fathom how the elders in the family had allowed such a thing to happen. How could a sister harm her sibling? And since the incident, Ivy had never once mentioned her parentsâ stance on the matter.
It was probably with their silent consent.
In this world, perhaps no parents can be completely fair. It was this lack in familial bonds that led Ivy to the kindness of Alyssa and Dean. Though they werenât her biological grandparents, they had given her a taste of what a warm family felt like, and that was enough.
Before Ivy left for the set, Grandma packed some homemade pastries she had prepared that morning, a small gesture of love for Ivy to take along.