The Kiss that Sparked it All (Ellinor and Theo) novel Chapter 2526

Balfour wanted to refuse, but to his surprise, Ivy, after a moment of contemplation, spoke up and insisted that both of them stay.

"It's just like Mara mentioned, we're short-handed at home. Plus, we could use all the help we can get to dig up evidence.

Grandma will be waking up soon, and we've got to head to the hospital to take over Grandpa's shift to look after Grandma. With all that's going on at home, we're swamped."

Even though Alyssa was still laid up in the hospital, her condition unclear, Ivy's words seemed to anchor Balfour's worry, as if Alyssa's recovery was guaranteed.

"You're right, Ivy. Once grandma wakes up, both you and I need to be there for grandpa. After all, he's getting on in years and can't be staying at the hospital around the clock."

With this thought, Balfour lifted his head and looked at Mara and Olivia with gratitude.

"I appreciate it, you two. We'll likely need your assistance moving forward."

Olivia smiled, pleasantly surprised by the gratitude, and waved her hands dismissively. "I'm thrilled to have been invited today. It's an unexpected joy. I'm more than happy to lend a hand. Just let me know what you need."

Mara, however, couldn't muster a smile. It was she who had initially offered to help, yet now, with Ivy's framing of the situation, it seemed as if it was her persuading Balfour that led to their stay. Was she assuming the role of the hostess? Now that they were staying, the situation didn't sit well with Mara.

"I'll have Mark send over the surveillance tapes." Balfour rose to his feet, needing to keep busy or else he'd be left at home, anxiously awaiting news from the hospital, a prospect that could lead to his unraveling.

Over the years, Balfour had grown into a level-headed adult, capable of handling whatever the corporate world threw at him. Whether it was a betrayal by a long-time senior colleague or an unexpected contract termination at a crucial signing, he had weathered it all.

But facing his grandparents' accident, he couldn't stay detached.

Before leaving, Balfour had warned the guests that if they wanted to offend him, they should feel free to spread the news.

Under the Howard Group's influence, indeed no one dared to gossip. But in the end, there are no secrets that time doesn't reveal, and the news of the Howard family's misfortune still slipped out.

[Tsk, tsk, tsk, don't you think that certain someone is just bad luck incarnate? Wherever she goes, families fall apart!]

[I feel you. Maybe it's just bad karma, you know, jinxing her own family.]

When the word of the Howard family's troubles hit the streets, it was Ivy who found herself in the eye of the storm.

Many online voices believed it was Ivy's arrival that spelled disaster for the family. But Ivy's fans saw the accusers as nothing more than ignorant fools.