The Kiss that Sparked it All

It would be a huge shock for everyone else to marry off right after her first film.

Yet, Ivy’s fans seemed to have a pact, initially quiet but eventually unanimous in their blessings.

They had seen enough heartaches; the last thing they wanted was to deny their beloved actress her happiness.

But for Balfour, Ivy felt a pang of guilt. He, a man who once shunned the paparazzi, now found himself in the relentless glare of the spotlight beside her. NôvelDrama.Org © content.

In past interviews, he could remain an enigma, faceless to the public. Now, his image was splashed across the pages of tabloids.

She had broached the subject, suggesting they go their separate ways in public to avoid the frenzy. But Balfour refused.

“Besides,” he said, gripping her hand with a tenderness that belied his firm tone, “I’ve waited so long for you to take my hand in front of the public. Now you ask me to let go? I’m sorry; I can’t do that.”

Ivy murmured her agreement and nestled into his embrace. She believed that time would smooth things over.

She believed he would prove to her fans that her choice was sound, that they would come to see who the man he truly was.

The upcoming fan meet-and-greet was the perfect opportunity, and Balfour had his own agenda.

He chose to sit among the fans, craving the chance for closer contact, hoping they’d see him for who he was beyond the headlines.

Before the event even wrapped up, the internet had been buzzing with posts about Balfour, now affectionately dubbed “Consort of the Year.”

The title took off, with comments piling up like snowflakes:

[Can it be that man I’m thinking of? Saw him at the meet-and-greet today. Can’t believe the big boss was right next to me!]

[Shocked! Doesn’t a CEO usually have bodyguards? What’s he doing in the stands? Didn’t Ivy get her man a private box?]

[LOL, it’s hilarious, but Ivy’s fan base is huge! I thought those 5,000 tickets would take ages to be sold, but they vanished in seconds! She’s the only actress with that kind of pull nowadays. Her fans even got the first tickets. Guess she isn’t hurting for cash, not a scalper in sight.]

[Ha! Even I couldn’t snag a ticket to her fan event. I’m a scalper, by the way. Heard her studio made it clear: hands off the tickets; they’re going straight to her fans.]

Netizens were astounded; it was an unwritten rule that scalpers got their hands on most tickets of every concert. That was how the celebrities made money.

But thinking of Balfour’s backing, Ivy’s lavish approach made sense. Backed by the Howard Group, she wasn’t concerned with petty profits.

[How jealous the comments are, though! This event was paid for with Ivy’s ‘Ballad of Valor’ salary. She wouldn’t take a dime from her man for career-related expenses. She’s independent and can earn her own way, thank you very much! And let’s not forget arranging private transportation, ensuring fan

safety, and having a chef preparing snacks for everyone. Isn’t that a sign of her dedication to her fans? But you only see the man behind her, and that’s pretty sad.]

Some of Ivy’s fans were especially annoyed by the constant references to Balfour, especially when Ivy’s achievements seemed overshadowed by his presence, making her successes appear effortless.