Chapter 2260
âI'll try to keep it down.â Elara whispered
Balfour had no objections to the physical check-up. His brow furrowed with concern as
he accompanied Elara to the bedside of Ivy, who was just beginning to rouse from her sleep,
rubbing her eyes wearily.
âUgh,â she murmured.
"Ah, Mrs. Howard, you're awake. Perfect timing, we need to draw some blood. Once I'm done, you
can snuggle back under the covers with Mr. Howard for a bit more shut-eye,â Elara said with a soft
chuckle.
Ivy, slightly embarrassed, nodded without making eye contact with Balfour, who was standing like a
sentinel by her bed. She couldn't believe she had spent the last half hour just watching him sleep.
As Elara prepared to draw Ivy's blood, Balfour watched intently, concern etched on his face. At the
slightest furrowing of Ivy's brow, he couldn't help but interject, âCan't you be more gentle?â
Ivy glanced at him, surprised, and then exchanged a look with Elara. Elara was being as gentle as
possible, but a needle piercing skin was bound to cause some sensation.
Noticing Balfour's pallor, Ivy quickly reassured him, âI'm fine, really. It doesnât hurt much. Elaraâs got
a good hand â quick and smooth.â
Elara didn't take offense. She understood that family members could get anxious. After pressing a
cotton ball to the draw site, she excused herself to give them some privacy.
When they were alone, Balfour sat down beside Ivy and held the cotton in place, his hand gently
stroking hers.
That's when Ivy noticed something was troubling him. He seemed lost in thought, staring at the
small puncture wound. She whispered, âIt might look painful, but it's really just like a mosquito
bite.â
âNo way it's the same. Don't lie to me. Promise you'll tell me right away if you're ever hurt,â he said
firmly.
Ivy nodded silently, then asked, âDid something happen last night?â
He met her gaze, then looked away as if debating whether to tell her the truth.
âDoes it have to do with me? Trouble on the set again?â
Ivy's expression tightened with anxiety. Despite her own frail state, the mere mention of the film set
unsettled her.
Balfour couldn't fathom what kind of spell that place cast over her.
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08:59
Chapter 2260
âDonât worry. Apart from you, the set's fine. We caught a suspect who may be behind your accident
and traced several clues through him,â Balfour explained, trying to ease her
worries.
Ivy's heart raced. She had thought the near drowning was an accident. The idea that someone had
deliberately tried to harm her was frightening. Why would anyone go to such lengths to hurt her?
Reading her expression, Balfour reassured her, âYou don't need to worry about these things. Just
remember that you're the victim here, and you've done nothing wrong. I'll handle the rest and let
you know once it's all sorted.â
His words bolstered her spirits, and the warmth from his palm soothed her. His grip on her hand
gave her strength,
Ivy had woken up early, and soon her eyelids drooped again with fatigue. Recognizing her need to
rest, Balfour left her to sleep peacefully before heading out.
He drove to the film set, using the quiet time to piece together the events of the previous night.
They had apprehended Kael without causing a stir, detaining him on the set premises.
Facing Kael, Colton couldn't grasp why he would throw away his future.
Was it all for Diana?
Diana had always looked down on the average Joe. Prideful and ambitious, she only had eyes for
men of stature.
Kael, having been in her orbit for years, should have known that better than anyone.
Yet, he refused to accept it, seemingly willing to risk everything for her.
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