The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 1971

Balfour yanked Ivy out of the Harris Group, guiding her to his car parked at the curb.

"Ivy, do you just let my words fly past your ears? Just yesterday I warned you to act with some decorum, considering you're Mrs. Howard now. And here you are, rushing to see Nolan. Can't you wait?"

"What are you talking about?" Ivy's heart sank at his tone, knowing Mr. High-and-Mighty had gotten the wrong end of the stick again. "I was honestly here for a job interview. I had no clue that Nolan was the CEO!"

Balfour snorted with a smirk bordering on a sneer. "Old friends who 'don't know' each other? Really?"

"I'm serious! Nolan and I went to high school together but weren't exactly close. I don't know anything about his family. I just needed a job, that's all." Ivy's defense sounded weak even to her, but she had to put it out there. Believing her was his choice.

His grip tightened on her wrist. "And who said you needed to work?"

Balfour's gaze was icy, treating her as if she'd committed some grave sin.

"Let go, you're hurting me." Ivy struggled, trying to break free from his iron grasp. "Balfour, it really hurts! What are you doing?"

His fingers clung to her arm, unyielding. "You're Mrs. Howard now. You don't need a job, especially not at some other man's company. Doing that, you're just dragging the Howard name through the mud and making it seem as if we're not providing for you!"

"Ouch." Ivy couldn't help but whimper, tears threatening to spill.

At her pain, Balfour loosened his grip, suddenly aware he might've been too harsh. Looking down, he saw not just the red marks from his grip but several scratches as well.

His moment of softness was fleeting. He handed her a napkin, wanting to say something but in the end, remained silent.

Ivy was caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. She had pegged Balfour as someone who wouldn't care about anyone else's feelings. Turns out, he was somewhat human after all.

"Thanks, it's just stuffy in here, made me sweat, that's all. I'm not crying!" Ivy's stubbornness showed, but she still took the napkin, dabbing at the corners of her reddened eyes.

Watching her stubborn defiance, Balfour huffed lightly.

This woman, lacking in many ways, but never in spirit.