The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1948

A woman in a lilac evening gown stood behind them, her puzzled gaze fixed on the pair. “Balfour, what are you doing here?” she asked.

“Nothing, Balfour said, releasing his hold on Ivy.

The woman approached Ivy, a smile playing on her lips as she appraised her attire. “That dress is a one-of-a-kind global exclusive. When I tried to order it, I was told it had already been snapped up. I never imagined I’d see it here, being worn.”

Ivy knew the dress Balfour had picked out for her must have been expensive, but she hadn’t realized it was a global limited edition.

“I’m just borrowing it for the evening. I’ll return it after the party,” Ivy explained quickly.

The woman pressed her lips together in a slight smile. “I see.”

For some reason, despite the woman’s natural tone, every word she uttered made Ivy feel uneasy, as if there was some underlying hostility.

But why?.

certain she didn’t know this woman.

they had never met, there was no

was this hostility coming from?

Could it be…

Balfour beside her. Could it be

the woman said, returning her focus to him and scrutinizing his attire for the day. “I always thought you looked best in gray suits. Why did you go for black today?”

for a long time? Ivy studied their subtle dynamics, curious about their past encounters.

and it was

she felt a sense

gasped in recognition, “Giselle, you’re

smile. “Today’s

this party was her birthday

here to wish her