The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chatper 2302

Chapter 2302

“Alyssa, I’m at a total loss here! I didn’t come back just to spend more time with Balfour, but for my own

future, too. After years of living abroad all by myself, I know that place isn’t really home. Only here in

this city can I find where I belong. Alyssa, are you really going to take away that right?”

As Mara spoke, tears began to spill from her eyes, her voice quivering with vulnerability.

Alyssa frowned slightly when Mara mentioned being alone in her family home now.

“Look, the Howard family is mighty grateful to your sister for what she did back in the day. But I made

my stance crystal clear: any debt to your family can be settled any which way you want, except tying it

to Balfour’s marriage. You agreed to that, remember? So why the change of heart now? For years, I’ve

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turned a blind eye to Balfour’s annual trips abroad, just to avoid family drama. Remember, it was your

sister who was his benefactor, not you. Don’t try to cash in on that gratitude. I don’t appreciate it, and

neither does Balfour.”

Mara blanched, shocked that her actions were being seen as opportunistic.

“Alyssa, what kind of person do you take me for? Balfour’s not a child anymore, he can

understand my feelings. He knows what kind of person I am! Besides, if he really had no feelings for

me, why would he keep flying out to see me? We’ve known each other for years, all we’ve lacked is an

opportunity to express our true feelings.”

Alyssa could hardly stomach Mara’s presumptuousness.

“I’m aware you’ve known each other for years, but let’s get something straight, Ms. Lewis. As you’ve

said, Balfour’s not a child. He makes his own choices. If he had feelings for you, why hasn’t he

declared them? Why wait until he’s married to Ivy? Ms. Lewis,

self-deception isn’t gonna work.”

Alyssa might have been advancing in years, but she stood firm, towering over Mara in

both stature and resolve.

Despite Mara’s repeated claims of a deep connection with Balfour, she couldn’t provide a clear

explanation in the face of Alyssa’s point, and she felt increasingly uneasy.

“Alyssa, with all due respect, if it wasn’t for you and Dean pressuring Balfour into marriage, why would

he just settle for any woman? Ivy’s background, her family-none of it is a match for Balfour, is it?”

Mara’s words were tinged with frustration and embarrassment.

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But Alyssa just gave a slight, dismissive smile. “I’m his grandmother, and our family doesn’t mind Ivy’s

background. What’s it to you? As long as Ivy has good character and makes Balfour happy, that’s all

that matters. Ms. Lewis, I’d advise you to leave sooner rather than later, lest I have to step in myself.”

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Chapter 2302

Hearing Alyssa so anxious to get herself out of the way only had Mara’s competitiveness fired up.

“Alyssa, if you truly believe Balfour has no feelings for me, why are you in such a rush to send me

packing? I thought you didn’t buy into the idea of our connection? Your urgency seems quite at odds

with your words!”