After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 782

Jesse brought Laura over, weaving through the crowd until they reached his mother and Melissa.

“Mom, Melissa,” he called softly.

Janetta looked up and, the moment she spotted Laura all dressed up, her eyes sparkled. A big smile bloomed on her face.

“Laura, I almost didn’t recognize you. You look gorgeous tonight.”

She squeezed Laura’s hand, her gaze full of warmth as she looked her up and down. “Really, you’re stunning. When I saw Jesse with such a beautiful woman from a distance, I kept wondering who it could be. Never thought it would be you.”

“You’re always so modest,” Janetta teased.

Laura’s cheeks went pink under the attention. “Janetta, it’s just makeup. Really.”

Janetta laughed and shook her head. “Makeup only works if you already have a good base. Don’t sell yourself short. You are beautiful. When you have it, you should let it shine.”

Then she turned to Jesse with a playful look. “You two showed up without even telling me. I had to ask Melissa if you were coming tonight.”

Jesse sighed. “Mom, I’m not a kid anymore. I don’t have to check in every time I go somewhere, do I?” There was clear resignation in his voice. “Even when I do talk to you, you don’t really listen. You’re only ever interested in Laura. Your heart’s already on her side.”

Janetta just grinned. “Of course it is. I adore Laura. She’s so thoughtful and gentle and always so considerate. Nothing like you.”

Laura’s blush deepened, but Janetta’s warmth made her smile.

Janetta then turned to Melissa, greeting her politely. Laura couldn’t help feeling intimidated by Melissa, not just because she was so capable and commanding, but also because she always seemed so cold. It was as if she’d forgotten how to smile.

Jesse had once told her that Melissa rarely smiled. In thirty years as siblings, he could count the times he’d seen her smile on one hand.

Linda had once tried to set her or Isabella up with one of her cousins, but Douglas had told both of them not to pay attention to Linda. He already liked someone, he’d said.

Linda was always speculating—wondering out loud who Douglas’s future girlfriend might be.

Jesse nodded. “I know you’ve met. Is there a problem with him? Or do you just think he’s more handsome? More charming?” There was a hint of jealousy in his tone.

Laura smiled. “No, it’s not that. I just get the feeling he likes Melissa.”

She said it with the calm certainty of someone who observes people for a living, like a writer seeing right through them.

Jesse looked shocked. “Seriously? That can’t be right. The two of them are rivals in business.”

Laura shrugged. “The Mason Group and The Adams Group are in deep partnership. The Adams Group and The White Group have always been at odds. And by extension, The Mason Group and The White Group don’t get along either.”