He pulled her back to lean against his shoulder, âDo you remember what I told you? Iâll never make you do anything you donât want to. If you donât like the questions those people are asking, then next time, I assure you, they wonât be in your face again.â
When Balfour said he could do something, he meant it.
Ivyâs heart raced at his words. She knew it wasnât right, but when she was cornered by that relentless bunch, she too had wished they would just vanish.
And Balfour certainly had the means to make it happen.
âLet it be,â she sighed. âThey have families to feed.â
Balfour let out a weary breath. Ivy was still as innocent as ever, considering the well-being of others even when they had been nothing but pests to her.
Did they even give a momentâs thought to her situation when they hounded her with their questions?
They were like flies, swarming wherever the heat was.
Calling themselves reporters, they had long lost any semblance of professional integrity.
Just slaves to the almighty dollar.
Ivy always felt uneasy about it, âJust keep them away from me, okay? Let them chase after whoever they want.â
Balfour nodded, but his mind was already plotting. At the very least, he wanted those vultures to know the difference between whatâs fair game and whatâs off-limits.
He couldnât stand to see Ivy demeaned like that again.
Canât those reporters truly dig up anything about her family on their own?
No, they were simply unprofessional and too lazy to do the legwork.
Theyâd rather believe the âfactsâ spun by Clara because lies generated more heat, more spectacle.
The online crowd craved a certain narrative, and these so-called reporters would tirelessly weave it.
Celebrities were always prime targets for generating buzz. Any slip-up, and they were toast.
Ivy had already suffered once from this circus. Balfour wouldnât watch her get tripped up by trivialities again.
She had her own career to pursue, and all he needed to do was to silently clear a muck from behind the scenes.
âDonât worry about this mess, Iâll talk to Evadne. Howâs the planning for your fan meetup going?â
Balfour knew how much Ivy looked forward to connecting with her supporters, so it was an event that had been in the works for weeks.
Ivy was meticulous in every detail. She was hoping to give her fans the best experience possible.
âUh, itâs almost all set. Should I save a ticket for you?
I wasnât sure what theyâd enjoy, so Iâve prepared a little bit of everything. Thank goodness I remember all the things I learned; otherwise, Iâd be at a loss for what to showcase.â
Ivyâs mind wandered to the day of the fan meetup. The mere thought of a room full of people who adored her sent a thrill through her.
A long time ago, she never imagined being the object of such affection. Even a single confession caught her by surprise.
She truly couldnât fathom what it was about her that others found so likable.