Chapter 175
Elodie’s POV ~
I turned around.
Tommy was running toward me, his little face lit up with that pure kid energy that makes you smile even when you don’t want to.
“Auntie, my mom wanted me to give you some cookies last night, but you weren’t home, so I brought them back p>
Before I could even respond, Liora cut in, indignant.
“You’re lying! My mom was home last night p>
Tommy’s face scrunched up in confusion. “Huh? She was? But then why didn’t she p>
“Miss Miller p>
I turned. Liora’s teacher was walking toward us, that polite smile teachers always have when they need to talk to you about something.
“Yes p>
She gestured to the kids. “Tommy, Liora, go on inside. I need to speak with Miss Miller for a moment p>
They both shuffled off reluctantly, Liora shooting me one last look over her shoulder.
Once they were gone, the teacher’s smile shifted. And turned into less polite, more hesitant.
“Next week, the school is holding a parent-child activity. Were you aware of that p>
I shook my head. “No. Liora hasn’t mentioned it p>
She paused, clearly uncomfortable. “Well… I wanted to confirm with you, who will be attending with her p>
Ah. There it was.
She’d probably already figured it out. That I wouldn’t be there. That Dante would bring Sienna instead. But she needed to hear me say it.
“Anyone can go with her,” I said simply. “Whoever she wants p>
I’d made my position clear before. I wasn’t going to fight over these things anymore. Wasn’t going to make a scene or force myself into spaces where I wasn’t wanted.
The teacher let out a small sigh. “Alright. I understand p>
“Thank you,” I said, and turned to leave before she could say anything else that might crack the careful numbness I’d wrapped around myself.
By the time I got back to the office, I’d barely sat down when someone knocked on my door.
“Miss Miller, Miss Brown and Mr. Logan Brown are here again p>
Sienna and my father. Again.
Last time had been awkward enough. But Johnny and I had already decided, we weren’t working with the Brown family. Not now. Not ever.
I heard Johnny’s voice in the hallway, so sharp and firm. “Tell them we’re not available p>
A few minutes later, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, then looked over at me.
I didn’t need to ask. “Dante p>
“Yeah p>
I already knew why he was calling. I kept working, my eyes on my screen.
Johnny picked up. “Mr. Wilson p>
I couldn’t hear what Dante said, but Johnny’s jaw tightened.
“Mr. Wilson,” Johnny said, his tone clipped. “Is this call about the Brown family p>
A pause.
“Yes,” came Dante’s voice, faint through the speaker.
Johnny didn’t even try to be polite anymore. “Then let me make this very clear. Cole will never work with the Brown family. I don’t think I need to explain why p>
He didn’t wait for Dante to respond.
“Your proposal from Wilson Corporation was solid. I’ll give you that. But if we’re going to move forward, I have one condition p>
I stopped typing. Looked up.
Johnny’s eyes met mine for just a second before he continued.
“During our collaboration, you guarantee that no one from the Brown family or the Green family has any access to our projects. Not Sienna. Not Logan. No one p>
His voice was ice.
“If you can’t agree to that, then we’re done here. Have I made myself clear, Mr. Wilson p>
“Very clear,” Dante said on the other end.
Johnny didn’t waste time. “Alright, Mr. Wilson. Goodbye p>
He hung up.
And that was it. Dante didn’t call back. Not that day. Not the next.
In the days that followed, Wilson Corporation went completely silent. No emails. No follow-ups. Nothing.
It was like Dante had decided that keeping Sienna happy was worth more than the deal.
And honestly? That’s exactly what happened.
Two or three days later, Johnny heard through the grapevine that Wilson Corporation had started up a whole new project team. A different initiative. And guess who was involved?
Sienna. And the Green family.
Of course.
Sure, it stung a little that we weren’t working with Wilson. They were huge. But we’d survive. There were plenty of other companies out there just as big, just as capable.
We didn’t need Dante Wilson.
Friday evening, Professor Nolan came back into town.
I grabbed my laptop and went with Johnny to his place for dinner. Nolan’s wife cooked this incredible roast chicken that I could’ve eaten twice over.
After we ate, Nolan sat with me at his dining table and went through a paper I’d been working on, red pen in hand, making notes in the margins like he used to when I was his student.
It was late by the time we finished. I said my goodbyes, thanked them both, and headed to the car.
That’s when my phone rang.
Aunt Helen.
I answered. “Hey, Aunt Helen p>
“Elodie, sweetheart, I’m so sorry to do this last minute, but something came up with my family. I have to head back home tomorrow, which means I can’t take the kids, your cousins, on that boat trip we planned p>
“It’s okay,” I said quickly. “I’m free tomorrow. I’ll take them p>
“Oh, thank you, honey. You’re a lifesaver p>
We hung up.
Two seconds later, my phone rang again.
Harry Becker.
I blinked at the screen, surprised, then answered.
“Mr. Becker p>
“Miss Miller,” he said smoothly. “I wanted to ask if you’d be available tomorrow. Daisy’s been asking about you p>
I sighed. “I’m sorry. I actually have plans tomorrow. I won’t have time p>
There was a pause. Then, instead of hanging up like I expected, he said, “Can I ask what the plans are? Daisy really wants to see you p>
I hesitated. It wasn’t a secret or anything.
“I’m taking my younger cousins on a day trip. Boat ride, that sort of thing p>
“Ah.” Another pause. Then, casually, “Daisy loves boats. Would it be alright if we joined you? Just the two of us p>
I stared at the dashboard, caught off guard.
“I… I’d have to ask them first. Make sure they’re okay with it p>
“Of course,” Harry said. “Take your time p>
I hung up and immediately called them up.
Five minutes and one very enthusiastic “Yes! Please! Harry Becker is so cool!” later, I called Harry back.
“They’re fine with it,” I said. “We’re meeting at the dock at ten p>
“Perfect. See you then, Miss Miller p>