Indeed, despite Balfourâs efforts to clean up the news, Alyssa had seen it.
âIâm sorry Alyssa, Iâve caused trouble for the Howard clan again.â
××× Alyssa smiled and took a sip at her water, âSilly child, Iâm not here to scold you. Youâre part of the Howards, and what concerns you concerns us all. Itâs just that some folks will come asking me about this mess, and Iâm at sixes and sevens about how to explain.â
Ivy hadnât expected Alyssa not to reprimand her but to affirm her as part of the Howard family, which moved her immensely and made her feel even more remorseful.
Alyssa was so kind to her, yet she kept stirring up trouble.
âAlyssa, itâs not like what they seemed online. Those photos were taken out of context. The guy in the pictures is my high school friend, Nolan,â Ivy pleaded.
Her explanation felt weak, but it was all she could muster at the moment, hoping Alyssa would believe her.
âAlyssa, Iâll clear things up, just wait for me to get back.â
Instead of offering a feeble justification, Ivy decided to find evidence to prove her innocence as soon as possible.
She hurried out the door and got into the car Balfour had arranged for her. âQuinton, take me to the Harris Group.â
But Quinton replied, âMiss, Mr Balfour instructed me to take you somewhere else first.â
Ivy was puzzled, âWhere to?â
Quinton didnât answer and drove off.
Twenty minutes later, they pulled up outside the city hall, âMiss, Mr Balfourâs waiting for you inside.â
Surprised, Ivy nodded and took her ID from Quintonâs hand, walking in alone.
Although they had signed a contract early on, they hadnât officially tied the knot.
She hadnât expected him to pick today!
The marriage registration was quite simple. In less than half an hour, they had their marriage certificates.
Holding the certificate in her hand, Ivy felt dazed but mostly resigned. âBalfour, can Quinton take me to the Harris Group now?â
âSure,â Balfour murmured, handing over his copy of the marriage certificate, âKeep it safe.â
Ivy took it, placing it with her own documents, and returned to the car. She and Quinton then headed to the Harris Group.
At the entrance of the Harris Group, Ivy contacted the staff member who had assisted her before, who came down swiftly and said, âPlease follow my lead.â
âThis is my friend. Can he come up with us?â Ivy gestured toward Quinton.
Quinton was slightly surprised at being introduced as a friend.
The staff member nodded and led them upstairs, explaining as they walked, âWe were all shocked by the news. Mr. Harris has already started an investigation.â
Ivy asked, âThe location where we shot the outdoor scenes, is that also owned by the Harris Group?â
The staff member confirmed with a nod, âThe building next to it is ours too. So is this whole areaâ