After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 338

Ethan didn’t go after her. He just watched her walk away, his gaze darkening, lips pressed into a tight line. Whatever he was thinking, he kept it to himself.

Time slipped by quickly, and before anyone realized, evening had arrived. The whole group gathered at The Cabinda Hotel.

Isabella’s crew, along with the director and actors, looked surprised when Ethan and Jesse showed up, but it wasn’t totally unexpected. Since joining the studio, everyone already knew Isabella was Mrs. Adams. Jesse’s interest in Laura was no secret either. Anyone could see he liked her.

Barbara came by herself, just as she said she would. She spotted Ethan at the table and felt a quiet relief that Harold wasn’t there. He’d listened to her advice and decided to help Isabella through her instead. Since she was Isabella’s business partner, nobody would question her support, and Harold could stay behind the scenes, keeping Isabella’s reputation safe.

At dinner, Isabella stood up and toasted everyone. She thanked them for believing in her and sticking with her from the very start. With their first drama now released and doing well, she wanted to show her gratitude right away. She told them this dinner was thanks to the four investors and told everyone to eat and drink as much as they wanted. She also promised that once the profits were distributed, the writers would get their promised share.

The writer of the first drama broke into a huge smile, excited for the bonus that was coming.

The whole meal was lively, full of laughter and good food. Isabella had been so happy going around toasting everyone that she ended up getting drunk. Ethan had set his glass aside as soon as she started making the rounds and didn’t touch a drop. He knew she would overdo it, and he was already planning to take her home.

The group finally wrapped up after nine. Isabella was so drunk she could barely walk straight, maybe the drunkest she’d ever been. Ethan picked her up, carried her out of the hotel, and settled her in her car before taking the driver’s seat to bring her home.

She’d said no to his offer, and he didn’t push, but he wanted to make sure she got into her car safely before he left. Melissa had taught him that no matter how things turned out with Laura, he should always respect her and never use his position to pressure her. That wasn’t love. Real love was about being genuine. If he treated Laura sincerely, maybe one day she would accept him. And if she never did, at least he would know he tried and wouldn’t have any regrets.

Laura didn’t say anything else. Her phone rang a moment later. Her driver had arrived. She told him she was waiting at the hotel entrance, and soon she saw a middle-aged man she didn’t recognize walking toward her.

“Jesse, I’m heading out,” Laura said, giving him a little wave.

“Get home safe,” he replied, watching as she left.