Balfour yanked Ivy out of the Harris Group, guiding her to his car parked at the curb.
âIvy, do you just let my words fly past your ears? Just yesterday I warned you to act with some decorum, considering youâre Mrs. Howard now. And here you are, rushing to see Nolan. Canât you wait?â
âWhat are you talking about?â Ivyâs heart sank at his tone, knowing Mr. High-and-Mighty had gotten the wrong end of the stick again. âI was honestly here for a job interview. I had no clue that Nolan was the CEO!â
Balfour snorted with a smirk bordering on a sneer. âOld friends who âdonât knowâ each other? Really?â
âIâm serious! Nolan and I went to high school together but werenât exactly close. I donât know anything about his family. I just needed a job, thatâs all.â Ivyâs defense sounded weak even to her, but she had to put it out there. Believing her was his choice.
His grip tightened on her wrist. âAnd who said you needed to work?â
Balfourâs gaze was icy, treating her as if sheâd committed some grave sin.
âLet go, youâre hurting me.â Ivy struggled, trying to break free from his iron grasp. âBalfour, it really hurts! What are you doing?â
His fingers clung to her arm, unyielding. âYouâre Mrs. Howard now. You donât need a job, especially not at some other manâs company. Doing that, youâre just dragging the Howard name through the mud and making it seem as if weâre not providing for you!â
âOuch.â Ivy couldnât help but whimper, tears threatening to spill.
At her pain, Balfour loosened his grip, suddenly aware he mightâve been too harsh. Looking down, he saw not just the red marks from his grip but several scratches as well.
âI wasnât planning to shame anyone. I was planning for my future! I canât depend on the Howard fortune forever. Weâre not really married, and I want to be her able to support myself in a year. Plus, I intend to repay you. I owe you three million dollars; how can I pay it back without a job?â Ivy retracted her arm, skin flushed and marred with angry red marks, obviously aching.
Balfourâs expression softened slightly. âNo oneâs asking for the money back.â
âBut I am. I said Iâd borrow it, and I will pay it back!â Ivy was resolute.
She hadnât stolen or done anything shady. She just wanted to earn her keep!
The frustration that had been building in her chest clenched tight, and she blinked rapidly, swallowing the tears that threatened to emerge.
She wouldnât give Balfour the satisfaction of seeing her cry. No matter how much it hurt, she wouldnât give him that power.
Balfour watched her, a strange twinge in his heart at the sight of her fighting back tears.
His moment of softness was fleeting. He handed her a napkin, wanting to say something but in the end, remained silent.
Ivy was caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. She had pegged Balfour as someone who wouldnât care about anyone elseâs feelings. Turns out, he was somewhat human after all.
Thanks, itâs just stuffy in here, made me sweat, thatâs all. Iâm not crying!â Ivyâs stubbornness showed, but she still took the napkin, dabbing at the corners of her reddened eyes.
Watching her stubborn defiance, Balfour huffed lightly.
This woman, lacking in many ways, but never in spirit.