Chapter 2048: Chapter 2048

Giselle hinted with a sly smile that Balfour was probably chasing after her, but she had turned him down for the sake of her acting career.

“You know, I’m pretty clued in on the whole situation between you two” Giselle said, her face betraying a touch of guilt as she locked her gaze onto Ivy’s’expression. “Alyssa has been on his case for years about settling down, setting him up with all these blind dates. He didn’t have much of a choice, so he roped you into being his decoy.”

Ivy’s head shot up, her face a picture of shock. “What did you say?”

“It’s kinda sad, really. You’re still so young and already playing house with someone else. Sure, it’s a sham, but you went through the whole official process. If you get married for real next time, you’ll be a second-timer! I just hope your future boyfriend won’t hold it against you!”

Since Ivy had signed that contract with.Balfour, she had strictly adhered to its terms, never breathing a word of their fake marriage to anyone.

She had kept her end of the bargain, but Balfour had spilled the beans to Giselle early on.

With such private matters being shared, it seemed like their relationship was definitely not ordinary.

Yet, Balfour had assured her that he and Giselle were just friends, nothing more.

Who was telling the truth? And who was deceiving her?

Ivy was finding it harder and harder to tell.

Noticing the shift in Ivy’s demeanor, Giselle could not help but let a triumphant grin creep across her face.

Truth be told, Balfour had not shared any such details with her. She was just testing the waters, and the reaction she got was more satisfying than she had expected.

Throughout the meal, Ivy’s mind was in turmoil.

After that, she barely registered what Giselle was saying, only occasionally murmuring a distracted response.

After dinner, Ivy retreated to her hotel room, too unsettled to do much of anything. She just lay in bed, tossing and turning all night.

With no filming scheduled for the next day, Ivy decided to swing by the Howard Mansion to grab some fresh clothes.

Upon arriving home, she found Alyssa sipping tea in the living room. “Grandma,” Ivy greeted weakly, sinking down beside her. “I’ve missed you today.”

“Ivy, finally made time to visit, have you?”

Since Ivy had started filming, her visits had become rare.

Though she sometimes called, it was not the same as being there in person..

“The filming schedule’s been really tight. I only got a break today to come by Ivy said sheepishly. “I’ll try to come home more often to keep you company.”

Alyssa studied her granddaughter’s pallor with concern. “Ivy, has something happened to you?”

“Huh?” Ivy was taken aback, shaking her head in confusion. “No, Grandma, nothing’s wrong.”

Alyssa sensed something was off, worried that Ivy had been mistreated while away, leading to her downcast mood. “If you don’t like the job, you don’t have to do it. Stay home and keep me company.”

Ivy’s low spirits were due to that unsettling/meal with Giselle, but she could not share that with Alyssa.

“It’s not that, Grandma. I actually love the job. It’s exciting, and I want to see what it’s like to be an actress.”

Reassured by Ivy’s words, Alyssa felt a bit more at ease. “Well, that’s good to hear. Just remember, the Howard family will always have your back. You can always come back to us if you ever run into trouble.

Tell me, and I’ll take care of it.”

Alyssa’s words warmed Ivy’s heart.

Balfour had once said something similar to her but had not followed through. Yet when Alyssa said it, Ivy believed her wholeheartedly.

Alyssa had always been sincere and loving toward her.