The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chatper 2039

Chapter 2039

At dinner, the day’s shoot had sapped Ivy’s appetite. But after some shut-eye, her hunger came roaring back, and

the spread before her now seemed like a feast fit for a queen.

She ate silently, not bothering to converse with Balfour, who sat across from her, observing her with a detached

gaze.

Once her plate was clean, Ivy patted her belly with a sigh. “Oh boy, the director warned me about keeping my

weight in check for the role, but I just couldn’t help myself. Everything was too delicious.”

“Just eat, Ivy. I could have a word with Colton if it’s an issue,” Balfour offered, ever the problem-solver, his first

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thought being to go straight to Colton.

“No, no, no, please don’t,” Ivy waved him off. “That would just add fuel to the fire.”

Rumors were already swirling on set that Ivy had landed her role through connections. If Balfour stepped in to get

her special treatment, those whispers would only grow louder and more certain.

Seeing Ivy was not keen on the idea, Balfour dropped it, though his expression darkened a shade.

After ensuring she had finished her meal, Balfour stood up to leave. “I’m off then. Focus on your acting, and if you

need anything, call Quinton.”

Before Ivy could respond, Balfour had vanished, leaving only the sound of the door closing behind him.

The room felt eerily empty, and Ivy almost wondered if Balfour’s visit had been a dream.

The next morning, a ring from her phone snatched Ivy from sleep.

“It’s me, Juliana, Colton’s assistant. Check Twitter.”

The assistant’s uneasy tone jolted Ivy awake. She groggily reached for her phone and opened Twitter.

The trending topics hit her like a bucket of ice water.

The makeup artist who had quit the day before had blasted a tweet, accusing a “newbie actress” of stealing an

eyeshadow palette and using an inappropriate relationship with the director to drive her out of the production.

Everything Colton prepared for “Ballad of Valor” was top-notch, and the makeup artist had her own reputation and

a fan base that included celebrity followers.

Her online rant quickly fermented into a full-blown scandal.

By the time Ivy saw it, her newbie actress identity had been dug up, and the internet was ablaze with criticism.

[New Actress Forces Renowned Makeup Artist to Quit – And It’s Her!]

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[Turns out movie roles are secured by sleeping with the director!]

[Thief turns actress?]

The story was trending, and the paparazzi were spinning articles to fan the flames, their headlines even more

sensational.

Ivy scrolled through the comments, each one more vicious than the last.

[Wow, she’s despicable, stealing and then driving the victim out.]

[I was there; the director backed her the whole time. The makeup artist was furious.]

[What’s the deal with her and the director? Is he supporting her because they’re…]

The gossip was relentless, each new headline and tweet another blow to Ivy’s reputation. She was caught in a

whirlwind of scandal, her every move now fodder for the insatiable appetite of the public eye.