The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 2037

Ivy nodded, her voice steady but tinged with frustration. "My bag's been right here the whole time. This place is a free-for-all; anyone could've slipped that eyeshadow palette in there. I've been in the director's lounge listening to the script run-through. I haven't even been back here."

"So, what, you're saying you got framed?" The makeup artist sneered, not buying a word. "What, you think you're in some kind of soap opera? That everyone's out to get you? Who do you think you are?"

Ivy felt like she was hitting a brick wall trying to reason with her. "Think about it: if I really stole the palette, would I just dump it in my own bag?"

"Okay, enough," Colton intervened, his tone brokering no argument. "This palette definitely wasn't Ivy's doing. The thing's been found. Let's just get back to makeup." He knew her true status, but Balfour had made it clear not to make a spectacle, so he tried to keep things low-key.

The makeup artist, now feeling slighted by Colton's defense of Ivy, shot back bitterly, "What's the deal with you and Ivy, huh, Colton?"

Colton froze, caught off-guard by the accusation. "What are you implying? Ivy and I are strictly professional. What else would there be?"

"Oh, sure, who would believe that?" The makeup artist scoffed. "She's a rookie, never acted before, not trained. How does she land a lead role in a major production on her first gig?"

This was a question that had been simmering among the crew since Ivy was cast.

After all, even seasoned actors like Giselle had vied for the part and failed, only for it to go to a newcomer with zero experience. It did not sit right with anyone.

But since Colton had personally endorsed Ivy, nobody dared speak up.