She let out a sigh, her concern for the spotlight-chasing actors apparent in her breath.
âItâs all about the craft for us actors and actresses, but some just canât seem to get their priorities straight.â
Balfour nodded.
Giselle went on, âI stepped out this morning for a while, and when I got back to the set, will you believe it? Someone had put a thumbtack in the shoes of an actress! It pricked her foot right away! Luckily she didnât put her full weight down. Couldâve torn a tendon, maybe even ruined her whole leg! You think thatâs not downright nasty?â
Balfour nodded again, his words sparing as gold, âTruly vile.â
But as he said those words, he lifted his gaze to lock eyes with Giselle.
A gentle smile played across her face, oblivious to the depth in Balfourâs eyes.
Mumbling, she said, âYouâre spot on, Balfour. That actress, sheâs just wicked. But donât get mad at me, the one who did it, we both know her.â
âWe both know someone that cruel?â
Balfour raised an eyebrow, his gaze penetrating.
Giselle nodded vigorously.
âHard to believe, isnât it? I was shocked when I heard it too. I didnât want to believe it, but the proofâs right there. Ivy, sheâs such a fool! Just for her own gain, she put someone in the hospital. No telling how bad it is now!â
She sounded genuinely concerned for Dianaâs injury, but deep down she wished the woman had lost her leg altogether.
When she bought the thumbtacks, Giselle specifically chose the largest size. But somehow that woman was lucky enough to only get a scratch.
âIvy?â Balfourâs brow furrowed, âShe would do such a thing?â
âWouldnât you know, people are not always as they seem. When sheâs with you, you could never tell sheâd do something like this.â Giselleâs eyes flickered, probing, âBalfour, sheâs your wife. Do you think she might have had a good reason to do such things?â âA good reason to harm someone?â Balfour chuckled coldly, âMediocre talent breeds malice.â
He was staring at Giselle when he spoke those words.
Giselle suddenly looked startled, yet her smile grew more brazen.
âExactly! Lack of talent is no excuse for malice! When I was around her, I sensed she was proud, but not a bad person. Who would have thought she would do such vile things.â
Giselle grew more animated as she spoke, believing Balfour must now detest Ivy very much.
Balfourâs face was a mask, âSheâs just a newcomer, and sheâs putting on airs in front of you?â
Giselle hesitated before nodding, âYeah. Maybe itâs because sheâs got you backing her, but sheâs a bit too full of herself on set, never takes the rest of us seriously, not even Colton. But what can we do?
Sheâs your wife, nobody dares to speak out.
Iâve tried talking to her in private, but she doesnât take it to heart. After getting praised once for her acting, sheâs become even more high and mighty. Now everyoneâs talking behind her back. Honestly, it breaks my heart to see her like this. And with this incident, everyoneâs turned against her, but she did bring it on herself.ââ
In Giselleâs narrative, Ivy was universally despised while she herself was beautiful, kind-hearted, and superbly talented-an approachable star, nothing like Ivy.
Balfourâs gaze dropped to his steak, slicing it methodically. His emotions were hidden perfectly.
Ah, this woman really thought she could fool him.
What Ivy was and what she was, were being presented in complete reversal.
âWhen did you get back to the set this morning?â
Balfour turned the tables and asked her.
He had suspected from the start that Ivy was framed by Giselle. This lunch date was simply a ploy to get the truth.
âUh⦠around ten, no, eleven when I got back, and thatâs when I found out about the incident.â Giselle said, nervously shoveling a forkful of spaghetti into her mouth.