The Bride He Took For Granted novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

“Not yet.”

“I figured. I made dinner for you.”

When Landon walked into the dining room, he found roast chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and creamed corn waiting on the table.

The simple home-cooked meal was a nice change from what he usually ate, and he enjoyed it more than he expected.`

A little later, he heard Joan speaking sharply into her phone

from the kitchen.

“Stop saying things like that. Elise isn’t that kind of person.”

Landon immediately got up and went to the kitchen.

Joan was loading dishes into the dishwasher when he walked in.

“What happened with Elise?”

Joan avoided his eyes.

“Nothing. She’s doing great. Everyone loves her.”

Landon caught the hesitation in her voice.

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“What happened?” he asked again, more seriously. “Tell me the truth.”

Joan hesitated, then dried her hands and slipped an arm through his.

“Fine. I’ll tell you what I heard. But it’s just gossip. I don’t know if any of it is true.”

She paused before continuing.

“People at Firefly have been saying Elise made such a big deal out of the pad incident because she wanted Harold’s attention.”

Landon’s expression changed.

Joan watched him carefully.

“Apparently Harold’s mother used to be involved with charities that supported women before she died. So people are saying Elise knew exactly what would get to him.”

She lowered her voice.

“Maybe Harold isn’t interested in her like that, but she definitely got his sympathy. He fired almost everyone involved and then had that free pad dispenser installed in the lobby.”

Bandon’s jaw tightened.

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His hands slowly curled into fists.

Impossible. She only loves me.

Ever since he’d known Elise, aside from normal social situations, she had never shown any real interest in another man.

Landon pulled out his phone, ready to call Elise and demand an explanation.

Joan quickly stopped him.

“If you ask her now, what do you think she’s going to say? Even if she is getting close to Harold on purpose, she’s not going to

admit it.”

She looked up at him.

“Why don’t you go to Firefly tomorrow morning and see for yourself?”

Landon thought about it for a moment.

Then he slowly lowered his phone, though his knuckles were still

white.

Joan knew she had him.

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She slipped both arms around his waist before casually changing the subject.

“I also heard some of the people who got fired weren’t really that bad. They just got caught up in the whole mess.”

She sighed.

“Especially Caleb. He can’t find another job anywhere.”

Landon said nothing.

“Caleb and I went to the same school,” Joan continued. “We both came from small towns and worked our way up. I know what it’s like to fight for every opportunity, so I can’t help feeling bad for him.”

She rested her cheek lightly against Landon’s chest.

“If he sends Novatech his résumé, could you just give him a chance? Any position would be fine.”

Then she added softly, “In all of Los Angeles, you’re probably the only person who wouldn’t care what Harold thinks.”

Landon showed little reaction.

After a long silence, he gave a low hum of acknowledgment.

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******

Elise stayed up all night playing Crossing Fate.

More than nine hours later, she finally reached the end.

At 6:30, her alarm went off. The moment she got out of bed, her head spun and her vision went black.

She caught herself against the wall and stayed there for several seconds until the dizziness passed.

In the bathroom mirror, her eyes were bloodshot, with dark circles underneath them.

It took her nearly an hour to make herself look presentable before she finally left the apartment.

As it happened, Harold stepped out at the same time.

Elise was in the middle of a yawn when she saw him. She quickly covered her mouth and forced it back.

Her eyes were still slightly watery when she looked up at him.

“Good morning, Mr. Nash.”

Harold looked at her and, for a moment, forgot to answer.

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He had seen more beautiful women than he could count, but Elise had a way of drawing his attention without even trying. Even exhausted, she was striking.

After a beat, he said, “Morning.”

Elise walked over, and the two of them headed for the elevator together.

“Mr. Nash, I saw the pad dispenser in the lobby yesterday. It looks great, and everyone loves it. They’ve all been praising you.”

A faint smile touched Harold’s lips, but he said nothing.

Assuming he wasn’t in the mood to talk, Elise pressed her lips together and fell quiet.

She turned away and covered her mouth to stifle another yawn.

Then Harold suddenly asked, “Was that Landon who brought you home last night?”

Elise blinked, startled enough to forget about the yawn.

Harold’s expression remained calm.

“I happened to see you from the balcony while I was smoking.”

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