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

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

other man’s company. Doing that, you’re just dragging the

whimper,

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

wasn’t planning to shame anyone. I was planning for my future! I can’t depend on the Howard

you. I owe you three million dollars; how can I pay it back without a

slightly. “No one’s asking for

and I will pay it back!”

shady. She just

had been building in her chest clenched tight, and she blinked rapidly, swallowing the tears that threatened to emerge.