Chapter 281: Face to Face
** Harper **
For all the years they were neighbors, Harper had only met Eli’s father once, and that was almost a decade ago. She would’ve barely recognized him, if not for the obvious resemblance between the father and son.
Emory, on the other hand ...
The girl’s presence at the gala was a complete surprise. Thanks to the barbie doll face, she hardly looked old enough to be of legal drinking age, so Harper had never thought of mentioning the gala to her at all during the past weeks, despite the two of them growing quite close at work.
At this moment though, looking at Emory in her black evening gown, Harper had to admit that she started questioning her first impression of the intern’s age. The midnight tulle high-low dress covered in sparkling diamonds — which were probably real, considering her net worth as an heiress — lent her a shockingly sophisticated air, and the casual ease with which she joined her father’s conversations proved that it wasn’t her first time at social events like this. Only the bored look on her face and the bold accessories she chose, such as a spiky metal belt and a pair of oversized earrings dangling well past her shoulders, revealed a hint of the young and free-spirited girl behind that mature pretense.
As Harper idly studied the father and daughter, Emory happened to glance back her way, and their eyes met across the piano at the center of the hall.
Oops. Hopefully that didn’t come off as impolite staring. Harper returned a haphazard smile to her intern, lifting the champagne flute in her hand in lieu of a greeting. But Emory, instead of being offended by the stare, seemed to have only chirped up at the sight of Harper. With a few quick words to her father, the girl excused herself from the small business crowd, heading straight over to Harper’s table.
Oops ...
Eli was just talking then, and Harper didn’t have a chance to warn him before Emory was already at their side. "Mind if I join you guys?" she asked, casually setting down her drink between Eli and Chelsea.