The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2386

Alyssa had summoned those who frequently mingled in the parlor, on the off chance that one of them might have caught a glimpse of the curious events of that particular evening.

The words she spoke were draped in courtesy, a veil that masked the gravity of the situation from them.

In truth, they should have been questioned days ago, but when Alyssa had reviewed the security footage, there was no sign of Mara doing anything suspicious outside.

With no cameras in the kitchen, it was a mystery what exactly Mara had been up to with her grandson.

“Really, it’s nothing too serious. Just wondering if any of you happened to see what Ms. Lewis was up to that evening. It’s just that Balfour had a bit of a spell, and, as his grandmother, I need to get to the bottom of it. Wouldn’t want the young couple to have any misunderstandings,” she said.

no secret among them that the recently visiting Ms. L her sights set on Balfour, although

gossiped in hushed tones, speculating whether Ivy’s moving out was a result of a quarrel with

be at the heart of

all, but it seems to us that Balfour doesn’t share her affections.

Howards for many years, Althea had a good grasp of the family’s sensitivities.

Alyssa managed a small smile.

a bit of a tiff between two youngsters, but I can’t shake the suspicion about what Ms. Lewis was doing in Balfour’s study that night. Balfour is my grandson, but I can’t play favorites and ignore Ivy’s

Alyssa put it so plainly, Althea recalled the events of that night.

get a book and, incidentally, to deliver the glass of warm milk I prepared for his bedtime. I know it wasn’t quite appropriate for Ms. Lewis to carry it up, but she insisted, and I couldn’t well refuse her. Rest assured, Mrs. Howard, I was