The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1971

Balfour yanked Ivy out of the Harris Group, guiding her to his car parked at the curb.

“Ivy, do you just let my words fly past your ears? Just yesterday I warned you to act with some decorum, considering you’re Mrs. Howard now. And here you are, rushing to see Nolan. Can’t you wait?”

“What are you talking about?” Ivy’s heart sank at his tone, knowing Mr. High-and-Mighty had gotten the wrong end of the stick again. “I was honestly here for a job interview. I had no clue that Nolan was the CEO!”

Balfour snorted with a smirk bordering on a sneer. “Old friends who ‘don’t know’ each other? Really?”

“I’m serious! Nolan and I went to high school together but weren’t exactly close. I don’t know anything about his family. I just needed a job, that’s all.” Ivy’s defense sounded weak even to her, but she had to put it out there. Believing her was his choice.

His grip tightened on her wrist. “And who said you needed to work?”

treating her as if she’d committed some

trying to break free from his iron grasp. “Balfour, it

unyielding. “You’re Mrs. Howard now. You don’t need a job, especially not at some other man’s company. Doing that, you’re just dragging the Howard name through the mud and making it seem

Ivy couldn’t help but whimper, tears threatening to

harsh. Looking down, he saw not just the red marks

I can’t depend on the Howard

a year. Plus, I intend to repay you. I owe you three million dollars; how can I pay it back without a job?” Ivy retracted her arm, skin flushed and marred with angry red marks, obviously aching.

expression softened slightly. “No one’s asking for the money back.”

said I’d borrow it, and I will

done anything shady. She just wanted to earn her keep!

clenched tight, and she