âShut up!â Balfour barked, startling Diana to the point where she nearly dropped her hand from her pocket.
âWho do you think you are? You are not even worthy to speak her name.â
Balfourâs words struck a nerve, hitting Diana right where it hurt.
She had the looks and the talent, but Ivy⦠Ivy just had that extra bit of luck. What made her less worthy?
She deserved those millions of followers more than Ivy did!
âHow am I not worthy? That woman? Whatâs her talent besides stirring up the tabloids every other day?
Sheâs the one whoâs unworthy of her status!â
Her fists were clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white, and she ground her teeth in anger.
Balfour glanced at her bulging pocket nonchalantly. If he was not mistaken, the very thing they were after was right there in her grasp!
âUnworthy? Someone like you have the gall to speak of worth?â He sneered.
âSomeone like me? Why am I unworthy? You know nothing! If it wasnât for the backing of the Howard family behind her, who in this industry would give her the time of day?â
Balfour did not care about these accusations; his role was to be Ivyâs solid rock and support, come what may.
He was willing to withstand the criticism, all for her.
As Diana was consumed by her rage, Balfour edged closer to her.
âYou say Ivy is unworthy, but are you?â
Colton held his breath, his thoughts racing. How could Balfour get so close to her?
Mr. Howard could not possibly fall for this woman, could he?
Were they not supposed to be gathering evidence?
Diana, however, thought her seduction tactics had worked. She lifted her chin, her breath fragrant as a flower as she said, âMe, Mr. Howard? Iâm far superior to her. Investing in me would be a decision youâd never regret.â
She reached out, her hand almost brushing Balfourâs chest, but he caught her wrist suddenly.
âGot it!â He said with a mischievous grin.
His other hand snatched at her coat pocket. Dianaâs face turned deathly pale as she struggled violently.
âLet go of me! Let go of me now!â
That was when Colton and the others realized Balfour had been playing a cunning game.
No wonder his attitude had done a complete 180 â he had sensed something off about her from the start.
Dressed all in black, she starkly contrasted her usual flashy style, known for her love of vibrant colors.
But most tellingly, her hands had barely left her pockets.
Something was definitely up.
Balfour had been pondering ever since she appeared: would a cautious woman like Diana really hide crucial evidence where she could not see it?
If he were Diana, he would keep it under constant surveillance.
Not even her home was safe, as she acted during the day; she could only be at ease with it on her person.
Her unnatural movements confirmed Balfourâs suspicion that she might carry the item on her body.
And sure enough, as he grabbed her pocket, he could feel the rough outline of the incriminating object.
All her squirming was in vain.
âMolest! What do you think youâre doing? Iâll sue you for harassment! A bunch of you ganging up on one woman, how is that fair?!â
She was screaming at the top of her lungs, causing Colton to grimace, his actions faltering. Was she going to play the victim card again after they had caught her red-handed?
How could this woman always manage to cast herself as the victim?
Even now, caught in the act, she was still all claws and teeth.
Did she really think they were all pushovers?