After much internal debate, Ivy weighed her situation with a heavy heart and reluctantly decided to let go of the opportunity that had come knocking.
After all, she had made a promise to Balfour, and she couldnât just ignore his warning and act recklessly, breaking the agreement for her own sake.
âNolan, Iâm really sorry, but I have to decline. I deeply appreciate your offer, but the job isnât the right fit for me. Thank you, though,â she said with a regretful tone.
Nolan looked surprised that Ivy would actually turn down the job. After all, the position offered a great salary and benefits, and once she walked out that door, chances like this wouldnât come by easily. It was clear she needed a job, yet she was passing up this golden opportunity.
âMay I ask why?â Nolan wasnât ready to give up just yet.
As Ivy was about to make up some excuse, her phone suddenly rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, she saw it was Balfour calling her.
Muttering a quick apology, she stepped away to answer the call. âHello?â
âAre you at the Harris Group?â Balfourâs tone was less than pleased.
Why was Ivy at the Harris Group now that Nolan had taken over the company?
Balfour, just out of a meeting, had seen the message from Ivy and quickly called her back.
The woman seemed compliant enough, but she was far from straightforward and had a knack for trouble.
âYeah, I was here for a job interview,â Ivy replied, initially surprised by Balfourâs call but then remembering the text she had sent him on the bus. âItâs all good now, Mr. Howard. You can go back to what you were doing.â
Itâs all good now?
She sent a message asking for help, and now sheâs saying everythingâs fine? Was she playing with him?
Balfourâs face darkened a bit more, and after a few seconds of silence, he hung up.
As the dial tone buzzed in her ear, Ivy pursed her lips in annoyance. What was the point of that call?
He didnât say anything and just hung up.
What was that about?
âWas that Balfour?â Nolan had been watching her expressions from a short distance away.
He had noticed the last time he saw them together that Balfour and Ivy didnât seem all that affectionate.
In fact, they seem somewhat distant from each other.
Ivy snapped back to reality, turned to face Nolan, and forced a composed smile before sitting down again. âYeah, I thought you wanted to talk about the incident just now, sot texted him.â
âNobody in the Howards dares to question you. Besides, you are Mrs. Howard. But Ivy, you donât seem like youâre really Balfourâs wife. You seem afraid of him.â
Ivy hesitated as she said, âIâ¦â
Nolan had a point. Of course, she understood that no one would dare to challenge Mrs. Howard.
But that was true for the real Mrs. Howard. Ivy was just a pawn Balfour used to appease his family elders; she had no real standing of her own.