The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 2356

Balfour was hunched over his phone, scrolling through documents, completely unprepared for how much chatter there was between Nolan and Ivy.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Ivy glanced curiously towards the entrance, wondering why there were so many visitors today.

But the person who walked in wiped the smile right off her face.

"Hey Ivy, sorry to barge in again, hope my dropping by isn't too much of a bother. Balfour's going to give me a lift back, so I thought I'd just swing by here to meet him."

Ivy managed a polite, though faint, smile.

"Got it, no bother at all. I've just wrapped up my part anyway. Since you two are heading out, you might as well get going."

Mara looked at Balfour, her eyes flirty with a hint of urgency.

But Nolan didn't look like he was in any hurry to leave, so Balfour certainly wasn't about to jet off.

"No rush, it's almost lunchtime. How about we all grab a bite together?" Balfour glanced at his watch.

"Yeah, it's about that time, isn't it?" Nolan chimed in.

The moment Nolan laid eyes on Mara, he was surprised. When had she returned?

But Mara showed no sign of surprise at seeing him there; she didn't recognize him.

"Oh, and who might this gentleman be—"

Mara looked to Balfour for an introduction, and he obliged with a brief "My cousin."

"Oh, Balfour's cousin. Nice to meet you."

Ivy really knew how to play the part, didn't she? Looking at Nolan, it was clear he was another man ensnared by a siren.

Useless, all of them.

"If Ivy's feeling tired, we could just order takeout, right? That way we don't have to wait around outside, and we can chat while we eat! It's not often we all get together, don't you want to hang out and talk with us?"

Ivy stayed quiet, unsure of what to say.

She really didn't want to talk to them, nor did she understand where Mara got the confidence to expect the answer she wanted to hear.

"If you're already tired, there's no need to stay for lunch. Wait here, I'll take her back."

Balfour moved to lift Ivy in his arms to carry her to her dorm, but Mara quickly grabbed his arm, desperate to keep him there.