Chapter 287: Give Him a Good Slap
** Harper **
"Oof, what did I say, did I totally jinx it? Seems like we just missed out on the biggest engagement party of the year going on in there!" A gloating laugh came right on time behind Harper’s back. "Look at everyone toasting to the new couple. I think you’re all set for joining the club of ’Eli’s exes’ now, darling."
Harper had a moment of impulse to turn around and empty her glass of wine onto Julie’s face. So this woman must’ve already known the news before she showed up on the terrace ... and that was the real jealousy she was trying to work on tonight!
"Maybe you should give him a good slap before that happens, by the way," Julie continued her monologue. "At least you’ll get to go out in style."
Harper tried her best to ignore all the provocations from the annoying voice behind her. The truth was, she would never question Eli’s choice of the heart. They had come far enough past that kind of doubt, and she knew from the way he always talked about Vanessa that he didn’t like the woman any more than she did. The rich heiress had no place in his eyes, no matter how dazzling she might look in that excessively ornate dress covered in diamonds.
But when things started involving his father ... then it might become an entirely different story. It wouldn’t be the first time that Eli had made a deal with the devil. Maybe there was another bargain, or some sort of threat? Or maybe it was a cover story for something else she wasn’t aware of?
Whichever way it might be, the thought made her uneasy, and she didn’t like how closely Eli was letting Vanessa cling to his side like a highlighted sticky note. Harper wasn’t usually the type to like making a scene, yet despite her better judgment, her feet were already moving on their own, taking her automatically toward the glass doors.
~ ~
** Eli **
"Who was that beautiful lady who arrived with you this evening, CEO Sterling? What role will she be playing in the future of your company and your leadership?"
The chaos in Eli’s head, along with all his hypotheses of why such an absurd announcement was happening in the first place, snapped to an abrupt stop when that question sounded from the back of the crowd.