After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 117

Harold smiled. “Yeah, I’ll be there tonight.”

He wasn’t bringing a date, though. The last time he dated anyone was in college, and that only lasted a year before they broke up. Back then, he kept his real background a secret. He lived simply, took on part-time jobs, and acted like any other student, so everyone just assumed he was from a regular family. His first girlfriend left him after a year and found someone with better prospects.

It stung at the time, but honestly, breaking up was for the best. They never spoke again after that. After graduation, he joined the family company, and with work taking up so much of his life, he never really had time for dating.

Out of all the women he’d met over the years, Isabella left the biggest impression on him. But she was married to Ethan now. Even if Ethan only saw her as a pawn, she was still his wife.

Harold let out a quiet sigh.

He said, “Jesse’s going to be there tonight, too. He wants to ask Ms. Charles to be his date, but I don’t know if she’ll say yes.”

Isabella smiled politely. “That’s really up to Laura. Mr. Mason should talk to her himself. I can’t decide for her.” She was pretty sure Laura wouldn’t agree anyway.

“Mr. Carter, I’ll let you get back to work. I’m heading out,” Isabella said, giving him a quick goodbye before walking away.

Harold watched her go until she disappeared down the hallway, then finally stepped into the elevator. His secretary, who had seen the way his face changed when he spotted Isabella, followed him inside.

The secretary blushed, looking embarrassed. “Sorry, Harold. I promise I won’t say anything like that again, or tell anyone.” She hadn’t recognized Isabella at first. She’d just noticed how happy Harold looked around her and thought maybe he’d found someone he liked. But if Isabella was Mr. Adams’ wife, then there was no chance.

She wondered for a second if there was any hope for herself. Harold was young, accomplished, and honestly really handsome. He was warm and easy to talk to, nothing like the intimidating boss people might expect. After two years working so closely with him, seeing him every day, she couldn’t help but fall for him a little.

But everyone said that despite his gentle smile, Harold was nearly impossible to win over. Plus, the Carter family was old money, and as the heir to the Carter Group, he would probably end up with someone from another prominent family.

Thinking about that, the secretary sighed to herself. She knew she shouldn’t get her hopes up. It was okay to have a crush, but she’d be foolish to actually try her luck.