Ivy strutted forward, her heels clicking with an assertive rhythm that seemed to resonate with her fierce presence.
In contrast, Giselle, who usually carried herself with an air of arrogance, suddenly felt a wave of insecurity wash over her at the sight of Ivy. She even took an unintentional step back.
Seizing the moment, Ivy flashed a disarming smile and said, âGiselle, fancy meeting you here. Werenât you supposed to have a busy morning on set today? I heard you had quite a few scenes lined up.â
Ivyâs words seemed to glide over Giselleâs obvious panic.
Brushing her hair because of inner unease, Giselle attempted to retain her composure, âI⦠I just happened to be passing by and thought Iâd pop in for a look. A visit to the police station might come in handy for a future role.â
âWho would just happenâ to swing by a police station? Could it be that youâre here to visit someone, Giselle?â
Ivyâs smile, relaxed and self-assured, only served to irritate Giselle further.
Giselleâs teeth was itching with annoyance.
âAs an actress, itâs part of my job to observe life. Whatâs wrong with visiting a police station? And why do you care where I go? More to the point, what brings you to the doorstep of the police station?â
Giselle shot back.
Indeed, what did it matter if Ivy had caught her at the police station?
Why should she have to explain herself to this upstart?
After all, she was a celebrated leading lady of the silver screen, while Ivy was nothing but a greenhorn.
What did her presence here even matter?
âIâm not like you, Giselle. I donât have time to take leisurely strolls to the police station. Iâve got real business here. My sister got mixed up in some foolishness, and I felt it was my duty to come by, show my support, and hopefully get her back on the right path.â
âIs that so? Well, then go take care of your sister. I have a packed schedule and canât afford to waste any more time here,â Giselle said, slipping on her sunglasses, ready to leave.
But Ivyâs voice followed her, âGiselle, there are some things that must be said. Youâve got the crown of a leading lady now. You have to take care of your reputation. âThe more you walk in night, the likelier you are to stain your dress,â as the saying goes. Iâm sure you understand that better than anyone.
Some mistakes can be fixed, but some actions canât be undone. If you donât want people to know, mind your behaviour.â
Giselleâs face paled instantly. Was this woman threatening her?
She clearly understood the hints in Ivyâs words. But she couldnât gauge how much Ivy really knew, or if this was all just a bluff, a probing tactic.
Giselle bit her lip and pretended not to hear, hurrying away. She didnât dare to turn back to meet Ivyâs gaze.
Watching Giselleâs retreating figure, Ivyâs eyes darkened. She didnât believe she had provoked Giselle intentionally. But now, as the nominal Mrs. Balfour, she couldnât avoid her spite.
If Balfour knew that Giselle was behind all this, would he be as furious as he had been with Clara?
Ivy didnât want to ponder that.
Looking at the police stationâs entrance, she wondered if Clara was regretting the choices sheâd made the day before.
If Clara hadnât been led astray, she wouldnât be imprisoned now.
Had the price of her actions, which not only ruined her plans but also entangled herself, been worth it?
Regardless, their parents would always side with Clara. Ivy had been used to their favoritism.
Perhaps what Clara resented most at that moment wasnât because of her regret but rather that Ivy was still standing tall.
Having come this far, Ivy decided to step into the police station and visit Clara.
Having been threatened by Giselle just moments before, Clara was stewing in her own frustrations.