Chapter 2173: Chapter 2173

Ivy’s voice dwindled into a whisper, fingers entwined and hidden beneath the table, unseen by Balfour.

“You thought I was on a date with Giselle?” Balfour hit the nail on the head, casually sipping on the complimentary iced tea the server had brought over.

So, this was the drink Ivy fancied. Maybe he could stock up on some at home.

She bit her lip, feeling sheepish, while Balfour seemed unperturbed, inadvertently making her appear petty.

She didn’t want to be seen that way by him.

“Right, I did misunderstand you that way. I mean, you and Giselle go way back, more so than us. I guess what she said wasn’t out of line. I’m just… sensitive, you know? We’ve spent a good chunk of time together, and I’d like to think you trust me. But thinking you’d take your childhood friend’s word over mine kinda stung,” she confessed.

Balfour raised an eyebrow. Was Ivy admitting to feeling a bit possessive over him?

“You got one thing wrong, though. Giselle and, we’re not childhood sweethearts. Our families are just connected, that’s all.”

With a few words, Balfour clarified the nature of his relationship with Giselle, leaving Ivy feeling somewhat adrift.

“Look, you don’t have to say all that just to make me feel better. I know my place. You’ve made it clear before, and I won’t overstep. Once this film wraps, I’ll have saved up enough to pay you back, and then I can move on,” she said, her voice tinged with resignation.

Listening to Ivy’s plans for the future brought a dark cloud over Balfour’s mood.

So, she was planning to cut ties with him completely after she would pay him back?

Was she still thinking of leaving him?

“No way.”

“What?” Ivy looked at Balfour, clearly puzzled. “Why not?”

“Because even after you’ve paid off every cent, I don’t intend to let you go.” Balfour’s gaze held hers.

“Ivy, do you truly see me only as your employer?”

Ivy’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t fathom why Balfour would suddenly pose such a question. She had kept her feelings for him a carefully guarded secret.

How had Balfour noticed?

Or was this just his way of testing the waters?

08:59 If he confirmed that her feelings toward him had changed, would he strip her of her position as Mrs.

Howard?

From the get-go, they had agreed on a clear-cut arrangement, and Balfour had made his disdain for murky relationships abundantly clear. He had also warned Ivy not to harbor any delusions about them becoming anything more.

Ivy had always held onto that, and Balfour frequently brought it up.

But when feelings were involved, how could one simply switch them off?

She had been cautiously sheltering her love.

“Have we ever been anything more than employer and employee?” Ivy asked, standing her ground against Balfour’s intense gaze.

Balfour’s eyes were penetrating. “I think it’s time we explore what else we could be to each other.”

He had to admit, he was the one who had been moved. He wanted something deeper between them.

“And what about you? What do you think?”

Ivy’s cheeks flushed crimson. Was Balfour confessing his feelings for her? Her heart seemed to pound as loudly as his voice.

“I… You’re not joking, are you? Is today April Fool’s Day or something?”