Chapter 2480: Chapter 2480

Finally reaching the front entrance of the hospital, Ivy turned back to address the crowd, “I hope you all won’t follow us in. It’s full of patients inside, and you’ll disturb their rest.”

Even faced with the reporters, Balfour’s grip on Ivy’s hand was unyielding, their fingers entwined without a moment’s pause.

The journalists had some conscience left; after Ivy’s plea, they refrained from pressing further into the hospital.

However, seizing the moment, one reporter couldn’t resist asking, “Are the two of you officially announcing your relationship now?”

Their cameras zoomed in on the clasped hands for a close-up.

“Don’t you folks usually ‘speak through the lens’? Why bother asking me now?”

With a wry smile, Ivy pulled Balfour into the hospital. As the doors swung shut behind them, the opportunity for more photos was lost.

“Man, she’s got the CEO’s girlfriend attitude down pat,” one of the reporters muttered disdainfully, unimpressed with Ivy.

“Tell me, if it wasn’t for her connection with Balfour, how could she have such great opportunities? Now, she even dares to challenge us. She’s got some nerve.”

The male reporters huddled together, their words growing more offensive until a female colleague couldn’t take it anymore. She scoffed. “Yeah, she’s got every right to be high and mighty with Balfour by her side. Why don’t you try flirting in front of Balfour and see if you can catch his interest? Then maybe you wouldn’t have to stand here with your cameras, spewing jealousy. It’s sickening.”

“Hey, why are you turning this on me? She’s mocking our entire press corps, you know. Are you not one of us? Defending that woman? I just don’t get you.”

The female reporter packed up her gear, sparing the man not a glance. “I’m not about to stoop to your level of picture gossiping. I’m no part of your ‘team’.”

The male reporter was about to retort, but someone grabbed his arm. “Don’t argue with her. She’s from the Sunrise Gazette. They don’t play in our league.”

“Pfft, aren’t they just another third-rate rag? Why put on airs?”

Despite his scornful words, everyone knew that all the reporters present would leap at the chance to work for such a publication if they could.

Inside the hospital, Ivy finally let out a sigh of relief, giving Balfour’s hand a little shake. “I’m sorry you have to deal with this media circus because of me. You’re not used to this.”

Balfour had always been well-known, but he shied away from the public eye, so even with the pervasive reach of the internet, only the occasional blurry photo of him would surface And even then, the legal team of Howard Group was quick to take down any such images But today, Balfour stood in front of her, shielding her from the media onslaught If not for her, Balfour would likely be sitting comfortably in his CEO office at Howard Group headquarters rather than being interrogated like a spectacle Balfour smiled softly. “What’s this? Just a few unfortunate pictures. Since the day we decided to walk this path together I knew we might face some complications, right? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?

“Of course not! I’m just worried you might find it uncomfortable. Today was an accident! promise I won’t let you be hounded by cameras again. You protect me, and I want to protect you too Ivy’s eyes sparkled as she spoke, melting Balfour’s heart. He leaned in close, pressing a kiss into her hair. “Today’s oversight wasn’t just on you. I won’t let you face such chaos again, either”