Chapter 2546
Ivy reached out without thinking, gently massaging the tension from Balfour's furrowed
brow.
âThese past days, with all the stress about your grandma, you've been all knotted up,â she said
softly, her voice tinged with concern. âIt kills me to see you like this, but I feel helpless to share the
load.â/
With a slight exertion of strength, Balfour pulled Ivy into his embrace. Their bodies pressed face to
face. He buried his face in her shoulder, taking a deep, calming breath. âJust having you here with
me is the support I need. Ivy, promise me you'll take care of yourself. Don't get hurt, don't fall ill.â
Ivy wanted to offer more words of comfort, but they seemed to get stuck in her throat.
"Okay."
Love always comes with a sense of debt.
No matter how blissful their current days were Balfour couldn't forget how destitute Ivy had
appeared when he first brought her home.
The hardships she had endured at the hands of her own parents weighed heavily on him
Sometimes, he tormented himself with the thought that had he fallen for her sooner; perhaps he
could have spared her from her troubled past sooner, too.
Even now, despite having cut ties with her previous life, the scorn she faced online stemmed from
those very familial connections. Ivy just wanted to sever all ties with the Dunhill family once and for
all. Why did it have to be so hard?
Balfour tightened his hold around her neck and closed his eyes.
If only he could, he wished he could shrink Ivy down to the size of a doll, keeping her safe in his
pocket, away from the world's worries.
Ivy stayed quiet in his arms, understanding his helplessness was rooted in his love for her. It was
both touching and heartbreaking.
Now that she finally had someone who loved her wholeheartedly, it pained her to see that love
tinged with guilt. She resolved to heed Balfour's words, to take care of herself. As for the rumors
online, she decided they were inconsequential.
After all, interactions with netizens were one-sided, and their insults couldn't physically harm her.
Yet, she couldn't help but feel hurt and puzzled when she saw the hateful words they flung at her.
Why did these strangers hate her as if she had personally wronged them? Even if she had troubles
with the Dunhills, they were only between them. What did it have to do with these netizens?
But now, the opinions that truly mattered to her were those of her fans and Balfour's love.
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Chapter 2546
She didn't want to cause them any worry.
The car hummed quietly along the road to the hospital, the two of them holding each other tightly,
the silence between them comfortable and reassuring.
Meanwhile, Leo vigorously carried on with his investigative work, attempting to contact
Clara.
âIs this Clara Dunhill?"
Since the incident, Clara's career had taken a nosedive. Where once there were advertising
opportunities, now there were none. She spent her days cooped up in her room, crafting stories
online to spite Ivy.
It had been ages since she had received a call from a stranger, and she mistakenly hoped it might
be a new job offer.
"Hello, is this a director? Are you calling to offer me a role? I'm ready anytime! And we can
negotiate the fee,â Clara said, her voice brimming with excitement.
Leo paused for a moment before replying, âI'm sorry, Ms. Dunhill, I'm not calling about a role. I have
some information I'd like to verify with you.â
Clara, who had perked up at the prospect of work, slumped back onto her bed in disappointment.
âOh,â she sighed, the enthusiasm draining from her voice.
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