The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1909

The name “the Howard Group” seemed to act like a magic spell on the waiter’s demeanor. No more than a moment had passed before he ushered the two guests to a plush booth, serving them a complimentary pair of ice waters.

“Please hang tight,” he said with newfound deference. “I’ll fetch the boss straight away.”

The stark shift in the waiter’s attitude was a clear testament to the might of the Howard Group’s influence in the city.

Ivy’s heart began to race; she had never mixed with such high-rollers before. Now, she was on the brink of being married to one of them for a whole year, and she couldn’t fathom what that might entail.

The bar owner arrived posthaste with a practiced smile on his face. “My apologies for the wait. I hear you had a bit of a mishap with some lost belongings. Looking to check last night’s surveillance footage, are we? This place is quite the maze, lots of angles to cover. Can you tell me where to start looking?”

Quinton glanced over to Ivy.

Standing, Ivy pointed to the booth nearby. “Around this area, and the corridor leading to your hotel.”

Will do. Give me a moment.”

to fetch a laptop and queued up the relevant

yesterday’s scene with Clara urging Ivy to drink, every gesture and expression

coaxing Clara upstairs, but after a brief exchange,

Clara had struck her deal with Vincent, promising to deliver her sister to

a doting sister Clara

a copy of this

them, the bar owner

the footage in hand, Ivy and Quinton proceeded

Ivy with a respectful air. “Ivy, would

between Ivy and Clara the previous day and was concerned about her standing with her family. His presence as a Balfour’s assistant might

ironic; needing an outsider’s support to

manage. Just wait here for me,

Quinton’s offer, Ivy stepped through the