Chapter 2340
Ever since Ivy left, Balfour found himself lingering in the study until the wee hours before dragging
himself to their shared bedroom.
Balfour felt hollow in the room without Ivy's presence, and he only returned to it when
sleep claimed him, each moment within its walls a stark reminder that she was no longer by his
side.
"Knock, knock, knock-"
The sound at the door jolted Balfour from his thoughts. For a fleeting second, he imagined it was
Ivy, but the harsh reality quickly set in. Ivy had moved into her dorm, and there was no way she'd be
standing outside his study. With a sigh, he masked his
disappointment.
âCome in."
Mara entered with a warm smile and a glass of milk in hand. âBalfour, are you swamped tonight?
You barely touched your dinner and headed straight here. Althea asked me to bring you a glass of
milk.â
Balfour watched her place the glass before him, wordlessly. His mind wandered back to when Ivy
had first mentioned moving out. Would she have stayed if Mara hadn't come into their lives?
Mara blushed under Balfour's intense gaze. âWhy are you looking at me like that, Balfour? Is there
something on my face?â
Realizing he wouldn't find his answers in Mara's face, Balfour exhaled, shaking his head. âIt's
nothing. If you're done, please leave. I have work to finish.â
But Mara, seemingly oblivious to his request, scanned the impressive study and asked, âDo you
always work in here, Balfour? You hardly spend any time in the bedroom these days.â
Balfour frowned, puzzled by Maraâs idle chatter. He needed to focus on the documents in front of
him, not engage in small talk.
âI have work to get through, Mara. Please, if there's nothing else, I need to concentrate.â
Undeterred, Mara excitedly bounded to the bookshelf, grabbing a book. âI've been searching for
this original edition back home forever! I can't believe you have it! Balfour, may I stay and read it
here? I promise I'll be quiet.â
Seeing no harm in letting her stay, Balfour nodded and returned to his paperwork.
Since making his mark in the business world, no one dared to challenge Balfour blatantly. The
document before him was an anomaly, signaling an unexpected instance of malicious competition.
1/2
09.15
Chapter 2340
Initially, Balfour hadn't taken this rival company seriously, but their recent underhanded tactics
forced him to act. He had already sent Quinton to investigate. The findings were intriguing; the
company was foreign, and Balfour couldn't pin down the shadowy figure targeting the Howard
Group.
If the people behind all this were locals, they would surely know better than to provoke Balfour. It
was akin to courting disaster.
Lost in thought, Balfour was pulled back by Mara's cooing reminder, âBalfour, the milk's getting
cold. It's best to drink it warm, especially with your stomach troubles. Althea reminded me to let you
drink up before it cools down.â
Balfour then remembered Maraâs presence. After downing the milk, he suggested she take the book
to her room, signaling her to leave.
Maraâs eyes flickered hesitantly, but this time she heeded Balfour's request without protest. She
picked up the milk glass and left somewhat hurriedly, even forgetting the book she claimed to be so
eager to read, which now lay abandoned on the couch.