âWhy do you have to meddle so much? Youâre well aware that sometimes, too much interference can make things worse.â
âThatâs easy for you to say, but you know how I am. How can I just sit back and watch when thereâs someone with ulterior motives lurking around my grandson and his wife? I have to warn her. This woman has far more going on upstairs than she lets on. Iâve warned her before she even slipped some sleeping pills into Balfourâs milk! If we hadnât caught on in time, who knows what she mightâve done!â
This revelation took Magnolia by surprise. âNo wonder youâre so blunt. We canât have someone with a hidden agenda hanging around them. But from what I see, Balfour and Ivy seem to be head over heels for each other. I doubt any outsider could wedge their way between them. You should relax on that front.â
The mention of the young couple brought a satisfied smile to Alyssaâs face. âTheir relationship has flourished recently. When Balfour first brought Ivy home, they were both so stiff, thinking we old folks couldnât tell! But love is blind, and we see all too clearly. Iâm quÃte taken with Ivy, but if Balfour wasnât into her, there would be no helping it. Now, theyâre both smitten, and Iâm just waiting for some good news. A new addition would be the icing on the cake. But Ivyâs an actress, and both of them are still young and ambitious. Theyâll want to build their careers a bit more, and thatâs all up to them.â
Magnolia watched Alyssaâs spirits lift and felt her own worries ease.
âThatâs the spirit. Their love is growing stronger by the day. You should ease up on the worrying for their sake, and for mine â Iâm planning on many more years of our chats.â
Alyssaâs eyes crinkled with laughter. âOf course.â
Ivy was certain she wasnât drunk.
Just a bit blurry-eyed, she wondered why Balfour, who stood firmly before her, suddenly seemed to have doubled.
And he kept teasing her with that glass of red wine.
âHa, want another drink?â
Ivyâs eyes glistened as she fixated on the glass Balfour didnât realize that Ivy was such a lightweight, her eyes practically glued to the wine. She had barely sipped it before and was already clamoring for more.
âArenât you the one who said I couldnât have any? Yet hereâs a whole glass.â
Ivyâs voice grew more plaintive, feeling wronged by Balfourâs stinginess, her emotions welling up until her eyes reddened.
Worried she might burst into tears, Balfour quickly offered her the glass.
âHere, take it!â
Ivy snatched the wine glass from Balfourâs hand and downed it in one gulp, leaving him apprehensive.
âAlright, take it easy. Thereâs plenty more at home if you like it, but no more for tonight. Too much will make you feel sick.â
Ivy had indeed had too much wine, swaying slightly. Balfour, concerned sheâd feel worse, swiftly escorted her back to their room.
Alyssa noticed their departure and went to check on Ivy.
âBalfour really should know better. Ivy canât hold her liquor, and there was no need to let her drink at the family dinner at home.â