After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 142

“Mr. Adams, you’re here.”

The business tycoon greeted Ethan with a broad smile and reached out to shake his hand.

“Benjamin.”

Ethan returned the handshake, his grip steady. “I’m not too late, am I?”

“Not at all,” Benjamin replied, still smiling. “You’re right on time.”

Actually, Ethan was a little early, which almost never happened. He was famous for showing up late to parties like this, only sticking around long enough to say hello to the important people before slipping out. Benjamin couldn’t help but wonder how long Ethan would stay tonight.

Just then, Isabella stepped out of the car by herself. The crowd only now realized Ethan hadn’t arrived alone, and all eyes shifted to her. That was Mrs. Adams, the Lane family’s adopted daughter. Everyone knew Cynthia had brought her into the Lane family as a tagalong, but nobody had really paid much attention to Isabella—at least, not until her lavish wedding to Ethan. If it hadn’t been for that, most people here wouldn’t even recognize her face.

Isabella took a moment to take in the scene, her expression calm and collected. Then she walked over to stand beside Ethan, her movements graceful and unhurried.

“Sweetheart, this is Benjamin. You met him at our wedding,” Ethan said, introducing him.

Once they were in public, it was time for their little show. Ethan’s voice was warm, almost tender, and the look he gave Isabella was so full of affection that anyone watching would believe he was completely smitten. The canceled honeymoon, the rumors about their relationship—none of it seemed to matter in that moment.

“Good evening, Benjamin.”

“She only managed it because of Jordan. Mr. Adams and Jordan have been best friends since they were kids, so Ethan was always at the Lane house. She just got lucky being in the right place at the right time. Who knows what she did to get him to marry her.”

“I don’t believe it’s real love. They’ve known each other for almost twenty years, but only got together in the last six months. Something about that just feels off.”

“I bet she set him up. Used some kind of trick, and he had no choice but to marry her, since she’s Jordan’s stepsister.”

“But Jordan doesn’t even like Isabella. No way he’d force Ethan to marry her.”

“Even if he doesn’t like her, she’s still a Lane now. She represents the family’s reputation. Jordan had to look out for that, at least.”