The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2324

Mara slid her phone into her pocket, a smug feeling spreading through her. The vitriolic comments about Ivy she’d just scrolled through had lifted her spirits considerably.

Earlier in the day, Balfour had been furious with Mara’s behavior, and she couldn’t help but mull over how to change his perception of her. With a heavy heart, Mara entered her room, her gaze lingering on the water bottle resting on her desk.

Eventually, she approached it as if having made up her mind, and poured herself a full glass of steaming hot water. After a moment’s hesitation, she topped it off with half a glass of cold tap water, thinking that all she needed was to make her skin appear scalded.

To win Balfour over, Mara knew she had to be cruel to herself. She rolled up her trouser leg and splashed the water onto her ankle with a violent flick of her wrist.

“Ah-‘

The outcry escaped her lips before she could stop it, and she clamped her lower lip between her teeth. Even diluted, the water scalded her skin painfully. As she watched the skin redden and swell, she limped over to the nearby couch, shivering with pain yet biting her lip to keep from making any more noise.

Balfour descended from upstairs, his tall frame exuding an unmistakable presence. Despite avoiding public interviews, the social media buzz about the youngest and most attractive CEO was relentless. It was no wonder; his charm stirred hearts everywhere.

at Mara as she watched him. She was determined to keep this man firmly within her grasp.

her family to immigrate had been a grave mistake, and now

no intent to rise and assumed she was still feigning a sore foot. His brow furrowed slightly, wondering when Mara had become so

he asked, “Why are

Mara lifted her head, her face slick with sweat, which made no sense in

he questioned, seeing her look

but how do you know I’m not truly in pain? Ever since Ivy got hurt, you’ve hardly looked at me. You carried her to the hospital, but did you ever consider that

remembered carrying Ivy, Mara hadn’t appeared to be in such distress

bent down to examine her, but Mara

I’m no longer important to you. What’s the point of old affection tonight, I’ll book a flight back home. I won’t trouble

the sound of someone enduring great pain.

happened to you? If you’re hurt, just say so. I can have someone take you