The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2493

“What’s with the attitude? You should be rolling out the red carpet for guests as the host, especially since Mara and Balfour are childhood sweethearts no less. You’re coming off a bit stingy here.”

Ivy barely lifted the corners of her mouth. If she wanted to play the grumpy hostess, that was her prerogative. Who said you had to greet guests with a grin plastered on your face? Besides, not all guests deserved her warmth.

“Sorry, smiling just isn’t in my DNA. Have you two come for a particular reason?”

Ivy tilted her chin up, a silent cue for Mara to spill the beans about her companion.

“Oh, this is my dear friend Olivia. We’ve known each other for years overseas. She’s staying in town for a bit-partly to keep me company.

I already mentioned to Balfour we’d drop by. Maybe it slipped his mind to tell you? We had it all planned out, so I brought Olivia over to your place.”

Mara’s words were laced with the insinuation that she and Balfour had their little secrets, but Ivy wasn’t taking the bait.

Balfour had been her shadow lately, barely leaving her side.

wasn’t happening on her watch. And even if they did, so

was with her, and another woman entering the scene wouldn’t change

this woman

wouldn’t be outplayed. She prided

in,”

as he often was at home. Ivy, hearing the commotion, stepped forward

heard some noise. Who’s

on his abs, gently pushing him back,

voice, made her way towards them. Balfour caught sight of someone approaching and quickly ducked into his bedroom to slip

Mara at the door, he was taken aback, “What brings you here? I thought you were out painting the town

was standing there, and feigned the familiarity, “I

frowned. He surely couldn’t recall

his sister’s death was tied to him in some way.