Bonnie pressed down on Ivor’s shoulder and made him sit.
“No one can ever pick on me. I didn’t get mad at her because of the connection between the Gallagher family and yours. So, I didn’t want to make the whole thing too awkward. If she’s not going to cherish the opportunity I gave her, then I will not tolerate her anymore.
“My patience has reached its limit. If she shows up before me again, then I’ll let her know the meaning of regret!”
The coldness in Ivor’s eyes faded and was replaced with a tender affection.
“I guess you’re right. My concerns are a little redundant. After all, you’re a tough cookie. This is nothing but a piece of cake for you. I don’t really have to do anything.” She pulled a long face on purpose before looking at him solemnly.
“Didn’t you promise that you’d tell me everything, big or small? Didn’t you also promise that you wouldn’t hide anything from me? Now, look where we are. If you’re going to keep something as trivial as this from me, then how am I supposed to trust anything you say?”
“I’m sorry.” Ivor apologized to her sincerely. “I didn’t mean to keep it from you. It’s just that you’re so busy with your work at the research institute. I didn’t want to burden you with my problems. I’m sorry, Bonnie. Will you please stop being mad at me?”
She scoffed gently in response.
“I want you to promise me, then. You can’t hide anything from me. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. You have to tell me everything. Can you do it?”
Worried that she might be upset with him, he nodded and agreed to it at once.
“Of course I can, Bonnie. From here on out, I won’t hide anything from you again.”
“Okay.” She nodded, satisfied. “Well, you’re quite sincere with your apology. I think I can forgive you.”
The moment he heard that she had forgiven him, it felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulder.
“You’re the best, Bonnie.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “You won’t get so lucky every time. If you break your promise again, you’ll find our conversation very different from the one we’re having now.” “Gotcha.” He smiled at first. Then, something must’ve occurred to him because his smile faded. “Speaking of, what did Eloise tell you when she met you at the coffee shop?” “Nothing, really.” Her tone was so calm that it bordered on indifference. “She asked me to drug your food so you’d sleep with her for a night.”
“How shameless!” He barked.
‘It was bad enough that Eloise said something so shameless in front of me, but she also said the same brazen nonsense to Bonnie.
‘Poor Bonnie. She’s had to listen to such indecent stuff. It could’ve sullied her kind and beautiful soul.’
“It’s okay. Everything’s over now. It’s certainly not worth it for you to get upset over something so trivial,” she said.
Then, she caught the painting out of the corner of her eyes and asked purposefully, “Hmm? What’s the matter with this painting?”
Ivor followed her gaze and looked at it. He explained, “Someone sent us this painting earlier. The guy said it’s genuinely Master Kieran’s work. I checked it out myself. He told the truth. “But, I did find an issue. This painting doesn’t seem to have been around for very long. There’s a possibility that it was made very recently.”
A subtle hint of humor flashed in her eyes. “You truly have some sharp eyes.”
Rubbing his chin gently, he mulled it over before saying, “Rumor has it that Master Kieran has moved on to a better place. However, I suspect that she’s actually alive and well.”
