His Ex Called and He Ran, His Rival Called and I Ran Straight to Him Chapter 08

His Ex Called and He Ran, His Rival Called and I Ran Straight to Him Chapter 08

Less than a week after I was discharged, Ethan asked me to accompany him to a charity gala.

Before that night, his date at formal events had always been his executive assistant, Linda.

The moment she heard I was going instead, her expression turned cold.

The gossip around Ross Group became even worse.

My skin prickled under all the curious looks, and I instinctively wanted to refuse.

Ethan wouldn’t allow it.

He took me to a luxury boutique, arranged for a custom evening gown, and gave me an unreadable

smile.

“When we get there, you’ll understand why it has to be you.”

A bad feeling settled over me.

The moment we entered the ballroom, that feeling was confirmed

The two people I least wanted to see were standing near the center of the room.

Tanya had both hands wrapped around Felix’s arm.

She smiled brightly as they moved from one group of executives to another.

A business partner who had just returned from overseas greeted Felix.

“Where’s Olivia tonight?”

Felix gave a calm smile.

“She stopped coming to work, so I let her go.”

“This is Tanya Miller, the new manager replacing Olivia.”

The partner’s expression tightened.

He looked at Tanya, clearly wanting to say something, but chose not to.

It had taken me three years to earn that position.

I had built my reputation one client dinner, one difficult negotiation, and one sleepless night at a

time.

The partners respected Olivia Bennett because of the results I delivered.

Not because I was Felix Carter’s secret girlfriend.

Tanya had reached the same title in four months.

She hadn’t even completed her probation period.

I shook my head.

I didn’t feel sorry for myself.

I felt sorry for the company I had once worked so hard to protect.

Promoting someone with no experience into a critical position was not generosity.

It was self-destruction.

“Olivia.”

Tanya spotted me and immediately pulled Felix in my

direction.

The ballroom was crowded with executives, investors, and prominent donors.

There was no graceful way to avoid them.

So I remained polite.

“Good evening, Mr. Carter.”

“Manager Miller.”

Tanya’s smile stiffened.

Her expression turned wounded.

“Why are you calling us that?”

“You disappeared without warning, and now you’re still angry with us?”

I almost admired her performance.

How had I never noticed it before?

“I’m not angry,” I said.

“This is a business event.”

“Using professional titles seems appropriate.”

Something shifted in Felix’s eyes.

He quietly pulled his arm out of Tanya’s hold.

Then he looked at me for a long moment.

“That’s appropriate.”

His gaze moved over my dress.

“But you don’t work for Carter Group anymore.”

“How did you get into an event at this level?”

I opened my mouth to explain that I worked for Ross Group now.

Felix spoke before I could.

“You must have gone to a lot of trouble to get an invitation.”

“If you wanted to see me, you could’ve called.”

The corner of my mouth twitched.

“Your confidence is impressive, Mr. Carter.”

“But I didn’t come here to see you.”

“I came with my new employer.”

A slow, deliberate clap sounded behind me.

“Well, this is excellent timing.”

“I arrived just in time for the most interesting conversation in the room.”

Everyone nearby turned.

Felix’s body went rigid.

His expression sharpened.

“Ross.”

“This isn’t a performance staged for your entertainment.”

Ethan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

His usually composed face broke into a faint, almost reckless smile.

“Are you sure about that?”

Then warmth settled against my waist.

His hand rested there firmly as he stepped beside me.