After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 192

Jesse gave an awkward laugh. “My bad. I shouldn’t be pestering you about updates during dinner.”

“To make up for it, I’m picking up the check tonight. Dinner’s on me, both of you.”

Isabella flashed Laura a playful wink. Laura just shot her a look, like, really?

Jesse switched gears. “So, how’s your studio coming along?” He leaned in, genuinely interested. “You’re about to start shooting, right? Are you funding it yourselves or working with investors? How are you splitting things up?”

“We worked out a deal with a web platform,” Isabella said. “We signed the contract, they’re fronting the money. We’re splitting the profits forty-sixty.”

Their studio was brand new, just getting off the ground. The plan was to build a track record first. Then, when things took off, they’d turn it into a proper company, bring in their own investors, and have more control.

Jesse nodded. “I actually have a friend who’s a shareholder at another platform. Want me to introduce you? It never hurts to have more connections.”

“That would be amazing, thank you.” Isabella could barely hide her excitement. She was still figuring out the ropes, but she knew this industry was about to blow up. She’d heard that in a booming market, even newcomers could ride the wave. She might not have much experience, but she had guts and a bit of capital. That was enough to get started.

Laura, though, had a better handle on things. She’d been around the web novel scene for a while, and she knew how web series and writers were all tangled together.

Jesse asked, “So, when are you two free?”

“Honestly, whenever,” Isabella replied. “You pick a time, we’ll be there.”

Jesse glanced at Laura, who didn’t seem opposed. “Alright then. I’ll set something up for tomorrow evening. Dinner at The Cabinda Hotel. My treat.”

His family didn’t own any hotels, so when he needed to host people, he always chose either The Cabinda or The Carter.

“Thanks, Jesse,” Isabella said.

“We’ll see you tomorrow night, Jesse. And if you’ll let me, I’d like to treat this time.”

“Don’t worry about it, dinner’s on me. Once you two hit it big, then you can pay me back.”

Isabella grinned. “Deal. But don’t you dare say no when it’s our turn.”

“I won’t.”

With a quick goodbye, Isabella pulled her arms over her head like Laura and hurried through the rain to the car. They waved one last time to Jesse before rolling up the window, then Isabella drove off.

Jesse stood there, watching their BMW disappear down the street.