After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 168

Laura didn’t waste any time. She changed into a crisp women’s suit, slipped on a pair of high heels, and picked up her Louis Vuitton bag—the one she’d spent over twenty grand on and hardly ever used. Usually, she kept it tucked away, but today was different. They had a big contract to sign with a major company, and Laura wanted to look the part. She needed to show everyone just how serious she was.

When Laura walked out, Isabella couldn’t help but stare. She got up, circled Laura twice, and grinned. “See, people aren’t wrong when they say clothes make the woman.”

“You look so professional and gorgeous right now,” Isabella said, sounding genuinely impressed. “Like you belong in some business magazine. You’ve got this whole boss energy going on.”

Laura laughed. “Since you talked me into starting this studio together, I went out and bought two suits just for moments like this. What do you think? Do I pull off the boss-lady vibe?”

“Definitely. You look amazing. I haven’t even bought a suit yet, but now I feel like I have to get a few. You put on a blazer and suddenly everything about you changes.”

Isabella grabbed her car keys and flashed Laura a teasing smile. “Ms. Charles, shall we?”

Laura put on her most serious face. “Let’s go.”

They both cracked up, laughter echoing through the room. Isabella linked arms with Laura, and the two of them headed out together.

Since Isabella had driven over, Laura left her own car behind and hopped into Isabella’s for the ride to The Carter Group. On the way, Isabella suddenly turned off the main road and pulled into a shop to pick up two gift boxes. “We can’t show up empty-handed,” she said.

Because of the stop, they ended up arriving at The Carter Group about half an hour later than planned. But it looked like Barbara had already set everything up for them. Getting inside was a breeze.

She added, “Ms. Carter is up there with him right now.”

Barbara was at the headquarters meeting with Harold, whose office was on the top floor. She had her own office in the building, but figured it would be easier to meet in the VIP lounge on the thirty-eighth floor and get the contract signed there.

“Thank you,” Isabella said.

The receptionist led them to the elevators, pressed the button for the one marked CEO’s Private Elevator, and rode up with them. She swiped a card and hit the button for the thirty-eighth floor, then stepped out just before the doors closed.

Getting a meeting with the higher-ups at a company like The Carter Group wasn’t something you could pull off without the right connections. Even if you got inside, there was no way you’d make it to the executive floor without someone letting you in.