The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2400

Balfour had never suspected Mara of foul play, not in a million years. The thought that she might have drugged him, let alone snapped intimate photos to sow seeds of doubt in Ivy’s mind, was beyond his wildest nightmares.

He’d always figured they’d maintain a distance, just until he’d helped her find her Mr. Right, fulfilling what he saw as his duty to her.

But to think, Mara had been coveting a spot by his side all along?

As Balfour remained silent, Mara’s temper flared. “Balfour, what is with you? Why are you giving me the cold shoulder after I poured my heart out to you? Don’t tell me you think I’m slinging mud at Ivy, and that’s why you’re ignoring me? Come on, put two and two together, Balfour. How could I have taken such a nasty fall all by myself if not for Ivy’s meddling?”

Yet Balfour brushed off her petulant display, his tone unnervingly calm. “That night, in the study, what did you put in that glass of milk you handed me?”

Mara’s smile froze, her composure slipping into panic. “Uh, Balfour, what are you on about? I’m clueless here, really. What’s this about something in the milk?”

know me-I don’t like beating around the bush. Grandma and Grandpa have already filled me in. They’ve got proof, so there’s no use hiding anything from me. I want to

an honest word from Mara. Why had she

smile vanished

do you want

indifference. “Obviously, why did you do it? Don’t you realize your actions could cause Ivy to get the wrong idea about us? There’s nothing between us

move out to the dorm? It’s because you care about me, Balfour, probably more

with Mara’s interrogation, Balfour’s brow furrowed. “You’ve got it all wrong. My concern for you comes from a place of honor. I promised your family I’d look after you after your sister sacrificed so much for me. There’s no romance in that. As for Ivy moving, it’s just more convenient for her commute, nothing more.”

And do you know why she chose to leave?

warmth enveloping her, and Mara didn’t