Chapter 2181
Dean scrolled through his phone's contacts list, a twinkle in his eyes. âI've got a good rapport with
quite a few movie moguls-old friends from my heyday. If you fancy a meet-and-greet, I can rustle
them up for a get-together sometime.â
Ivy was flabbergasted by the offer. She well knew the clout behind the names in Dean's Rolodex.
For an up-and-comer like her, rubbing elbows with just one of these heavyweights could catapult
her to stardom.
But Ivy was already committed to a film project, and she was determined to earn her future roles
through grit and talent.
âNo need, Grandpa,â she insisted, âIf 'm hankering for a role, I'll hustle for it myselftâ
Alyssa beamed at her response. âBless your heart, child. But remember to come to us when you're in
a bind."
Still, the Howards were bound to have Ivy's back. The string of mishaps on set was a clarion call they
couldn't ignore.
[lvy, you alright? Heard there's been a bit of a ruckus on your set lately. Hope it hasn't thrown you
for a loop.]
Ivy glanced at her phone and saw the message from Nolan.
âGrandma, I need to shoot a text back to a friend,â she said, excusing her screen time. Checking her
phone incessantly at the dinner table was a downright faux pas.
Alyssa chuckled and nodded. âOf course, dear. You young people need to keep in touch.â
[How did you catch wind of the set drama?] Ivy texted back. She always found it easy to be candid
with Nolan. No beating around the bush.
[C'mon, you seriously think the grapevine doesn't reach Coltonâs set? You're shooting a film, not
holed up in a monastery. The internet is abuzz with every cough and spit from set.]
Ivy was taken aback by Nolan's reply. She rarely paid heed to online chatter.
[Is the rumor mill really churning that fast? Nolan, did you entertain any suspicions about me?]
Ivy sent this message half-jokingly.
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08:57
If Nolan truly suspected her, he likely wouldn't have messaged in the first place.
[Ha? Doubt my trust in you? How could you even pull off such antics? The folks online don't know
you like I do. You're the one who's practically meditating on set, then vanishes once the director
yells cut. It's almost eerie! That's the real you. Sure, the keyboard warriors might get the wrong end
of the stick, but you don't need to sweat their spiel. They donât matter!]
Ivy snorted with laughter and quickly typed a response to Nolan.
Alyssa stealthily peeked over, curious about the cheerful exchange.
"Seems like sheâs having a whale of a time chatting there?â She nudged the stoic Dean.
Dean asked, âDidn't you say young people should mingle more? Ivy's doing just that.â
âTsk, I was hoping Ivy would spend more time with Balfour! Look at them-one upstairs, one
downstairs, one working, one chatting, but never together. How's romance supposed to bloom like
that?â
Alyssa fretted, especially seeing Ivy all smiles in her conversation, and not because of her grandson.
A hint of unease tugged at her heart.
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