Chapter 2344
"Alyssa, you can't just go around thinking I'm some sort of floozy just because I care about my
friend. I've been close with Balfour for years, and I had no idea he'd be snoozing here when I came
down to grab a book. You've got me all wrong! And for heaven's sake, I simply draped a blanket
over Balfour because was worried about him. Was I supposed to let my dear friend freeze on the
couch all night? You said you were off to bed, and if I'd known you weren't asleep, I would've come
to get you first.â
Maraâs explanation was reasonable, even impeccable, and Alyssa knew she couldn't fault her on this
one, so they both had to back down a bit.
âIs that so? Then I owe you an apology, Ms. Lewis. It's getting late; you should head to bed. I'll take
care of Balfour here; after all, I am his grandmother.â
Having snagged the photo she wanted, Mara didn't linger. She feigned a wounded look, biting her
lip as she clutched her phone and the book before leaving the study.
Before heading downstairs, she cast a sly, mysterious smile back at the study.
No matter how shrewd Alyssa was, she couldn't outwit Mara!
After Mara descended the stairs, Alyssa gently touched Balfour's forehead. No fever, and he didn't
seem to have been given any hooch or something shady that would knock him out. How on earth
did he end up asleep in the study like this?
Ever since Ivy moved out, Balfour had been coming back to their room later and later. Alyssa knew
her grandson was hurting inside, each return to that room a reminder of the time spent with Ivy.
Now alone, he naturally didn't want to stay there. Yet he insisted on sleeping in that room, clinging
to the last traces of Ivy's presence.
So it puzzled Alyssa why Balfour would fall asleep in the study.
And with no word from Quinton about the company being especially busy these days, how did he
end up dozing off here?
âBalfour, Balfour?â
She nudged him a few times, but he didn't wake up; he seemed to be sleeping deeply. Puzzling as it
was, she couldn't put her finger on it and decided to leave him be after making sure he was resting
soundly.
As she passed the stairwell, she noticed a faint light coming from Maraâs room. She could only hope
that woman wouldn't stir up more trouble.
Still, Alyssa thought it wise to keep an eye on Maraâs movements.
Once back in her room, Mara tossed the book on the table carelessly and flopped onto her
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Chapter 2344
bed, gleefully reviewing the photos she'd snapped on her phone.
"Hmm, this oneâs good, that oneâs not bad either. Which one should I send to Ivy?â
After taking so many shots, she had to make sure they were put to good use â it'd be a shame to
keep them to herself.
After much deliberation, Mara picked out a selfie where Balfour was cozily leaning on her shoulder.
The best part was that you couldn't tell he was knocked out. It looked like a photo that only a
couple in a close relationship would take.
Mara befriended Ivy on social media when she first arrived at the Howard Mansion. But Ivy had
never sent a single message to Mara.
[Balfour's so tuckered out tonight. He fell asleep!] Mara typed with a smirk, attaching the chosen
picture before hitting send.