Chapter 2147: Chapter 2147

But when it came down to it, he hadn’t spared her a single glance.

To him, she was just another face in the crowd, a background character to his lead.

At last, Ivy lifted her feet and quietly walked away.

To stay any longer was to upset herself more.

With disappointment, Ivy returned home, unable to conceal her troubled mood. It didn’t take long for Alyssa to notice.

“What’s the matter, Ivy? Did someone give you trouble?”

Alyssa’s weathered hands cradled Ivy’s cheeks as she looked at the stiff smile Ivy managed to conjure, assuring her, “It’s nothing, really. Don’t worry.”

“There, there, child. Even your granddad can tell you’re off-kilter. Whatever it is, you can talk to us.

Don’t keep it all bottled up. We’re your family, and we’re here to share your burdens, you know.”

Ivy nodded vigorously, fighting back tears at the old woman’s tenderness.

“Ivy, tell me the truth are you having a tough time at the precinct? Is the evidence stacking up against you?”

Alyssa guided her to sit on the couch, her gaze filled with concern.

Ivy’s heart ached all the more.

Even Alyssa cared so deeply, yet Balfour was only interested in his rendezvous with Giselle. Did he ever spare her a thought?

Shaking her head, Ivy replied, “It’s going fairly well. I’ve nothing to hide. I’ve told the officers all I know.

Now it’s up to them to investigate.”

Alyssa nodded, “That’s good, then. No worries. You’ve been acting for a while now. You must realize how mixed that world can be. Pure-hearted actors and actresses like you are a rare breed these days.

It’s good to keep an innocent heart, but you’ve got to stay sharp. Don’t let people target you with their underhanded tricks again, got it?”

Ivy sighed. Even Alyssa was warning her against falling for others’ schemes.

But how could she foresee deceit she’d never encountered? How would she know people could be so vile?

“I understand, but knowing and preventing are two different things. I was focused on acting, oblivious to their schemes. Sometimes I wonder if I should keep going.” Ivy frowned. This ordeal truly made her question her initial decisions.

Even though she had entered the acting world in order to quickly repay Balfour’s debts and had grown to love acting in the process, the deeper she got, the more she realized how complex the showbiz was.

To just act and ignore everything else seemed impossible.

Alyssa put down his newspaper and said solemnly, “You’re a Howard, my dear. If even you think in this way, what hope is there for the other young actors?”

Alyssa smiled faintly, seeing Ivy’s confusion and finding her naivety endearing.

“My child, you’re a Howard. If we can’t protect you and let you follow your dreams, then what’s the point of our family’s name and reputation all these years?”

It was clear they intended to support Ivy.

“Grandma, Grandpa, I’m not complaining to you. Balfour has already been to the set with me, and he also picked me up today. Still, that didn’t stop these things from happening.”