The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2384

Ivy had long held the belief that she wasn’t quite up to par, which, she presumed, was why her parents seemed to favor Clara over her. But as time passed, she learned a hard truth: favoritism doesn’t always need a reason.

It was only after she felt the sting of neglect that she was deeply touched by the unconditional affection of the Howards couple. They saw the hurt that others had overlooked and would tenderly pat her hand, their gentle touch a balm to her wounded spirit. They even expressed sorrow for the attention they had unwittingly denied her-a kindness Ivy had never before experienced.

Alyssa’s eyes brimmed with sympathy as she wiped away the tears on Ivy’s cheeks. “My dear girl, it pains me to see you upset. But don’t you worry, I promise you I’ll see this matter settled. Remember, you are a granddaughter-in-law of the Howard family. As long as I’m here, those women won’t stir up any trouble. And I’ll have Balfour explain himself. He was in the wrong here.”

Alyssa’s thoughts suddenly raced back to that peculiar night in the kitchen when she had seen Mara acting oddly. “It stands to reason that even in deep sleep, Balfour would have stirred with all that commotion. Unless, of course, he wasn’t asleep of his own accord.”

eyes snapped up as the realization hit her. That night in the kitchen, encountering Mara, it was like a flash of insight, and it

bumped into Mara, claiming she was

with Balfour’s food or drink, otherwise, he wouldn’t have slept through such

She knew exactly why Mara had chosen to send those intimate photos of herself and Balfour-to spark jealousy and disappointment. But Mara hadn’t anticipated Ivy discussing

you didn’t want to return home. But now, I think it’s best you stay here while I go

she rose, urgency in her step, eager

don’t you stay the night here with me? It’s late, and we can deal with this in the morning. Whatever happened has happened; rushing back now might not turn up any evidence anyway.”

sooner I return, the better the chance of finding proof. I must uncover what that woman has