âHmm, take care of yourself.â Balfour tossed the words casually, but Maraâs eyes immediately welled up with tears.
She always knew Balfour had a soft spot for her, but out of respect for Ivyâs standing, he refrained from showing his feelings too openly in public.
For years, she was always held in high esteem by him. She believed that even Ivyâs presence couldnât change that fact.
âI will, donât worry, Balfour. Even when youâre not around, I know how to keep myself together.â
Ivy was busy tucking into the roast chicken Balfour had carved for her, pretending not to hear Maraâs sentimental words.
After finishing her meal, Mara felt it would be awkward to linger at the table, so Balfour suggested she relax in the living room.
Before leaving the dining area, Mara shot Olivia a knowing glance.
The two women proceeded with their plan, splitting up as they had previously discussed.
âMr. Howard, how did you come to know Ms. Dunhill? You two make quite the interesting âMr. Howard, how did you come pair-a powerhouse CEO and a rising starlet.â
Olivia chimed in with perfect timing; her eyes were twinkling and she was really holding genuine curiosity.
The two exchanged a glance, with Ivy blushing slightly.
Balfour simply answered with one word, âFate.
âIs that so? So we wouldnât be together now if I hadnât met you back then?â Ivy gazed at Balfour intently, eager to know if they would still be united had he not turned around that pivotal day.
But Balfour was confident. Even if they had missed their chance then, he believed destiny would have brought them together somehow. To him, Ivy was his true match, and they were meant to be.
âWhat makes you so sure? For all you know, I couldâve met someone else.â Ivy raised an eyebrow teasingly to challenge him. Balfourâs expression tightened slightly.
âEven if you had met someone else, I would have fought to win you back. You know Iâm capable of that.â
âHa, you didnt such a high opinion of me at first. You wished I was miles away 1 Ivy rolled her eyes playfully at Balfour, who felt a ticklish sensation in his heart and couldnât resist pinching her earlobe quickly.
âNo matter what you say, in the end, youâll be by my side.â
It was Olivia who rolled her eyes this time, thinking to herself about the difficult task sheâd been handed.
She wasnât prying into their private lives, more like she was being force-fed a saccharine romance.
She could barely take a few bites of her food before feeling full from the overload of affection she was witnessing.
Initially, she suspected their relationship was a mere business arrangement or a publicity stunt. That was common because both parties needed the buzz, although it seemed like Balfour was getting the short end of the stick.
But seeing them now, so sickeningly sweet, especially Balfour, who was completely at odds with his icy corporate mogul persona, she began to understand that this must be what love looks like.
Olivia had never been short on playing the field, considering men to be optional accessories in her life.
She never gave her heart away, nor did she understand why they appeared so besotted.
âMr. Howard, Ms. Dunhill, if you donât mind me asking, how can you be so sure about spending a lifetime together? And if it doesnât work out, donât you think itâll come back to bite you?â
Olivia was always blunt.
Ivy, aware that Olivia was more forthright than most because of her upbringing. She could see the genuine perplexity in Oliviaâs eyes so she didnât assume her words as an offense.