Chapter 366: Ghosts in Tuxedos

“No problem? Good,” Maxwell said as he stood. “Let’s go.”

Ellis followed behind him, keeping a respectful distance—just enough to look like a proper assistant. This was one of the top business events of the year. The city’s major players had all shown up. As she entered the venue, Ellis straightened her back and kept her posture composed and elegant.

But it wasn’t long before she spotted her ex-husband, surrounded by people. And just a few feet away stood Morty, watching her with a faint, unreadable smile.

Of course.

She immediately remembered the time she fainted, Morty took her to the hospital, and Easton punched him right there in the room. Why do I always attract the worst kind of drama?

Maxwell seemed to catch a flash of discomfort on her face. “Ms. Harper, is it inconvenient for you to stay here?”

For a second, Ellis froze. Is he implying something?

But Maxwell didn’t leave her hanging. His gaze shifted—intentionally, and very clearly—to her ex-husband. Then he added calmly, “Your ex-husband is over there.”

Ellis felt like she’d just heard a pin drop. He knows? She hadn’t listed her marital status in her employee file. But of course he knew. The company would’ve done a background check, and hers wasn’t hard to trace. Former Mrs. Hudson. It was bound to come up—especially with Easton’s public status.

Still, her smile didn’t falter. “Don’t worry, Mr. Maxwell. It’s not inconvenient at all.”

It was very convenient, actually. Convenient enough that she wouldn’t mind cussing out her ex. Or punching him, for that matter.

As they spoke, a shadow approached on the floor. Ellis didn’t even need to look up—just from the shape of it, she knew it was Morty.

“Ellis. Long time no see,” Morty said, with a warm, almost too-familiar smile.

He wasn’t the person she hated most. They’d had their issues, but he had helped her more than once. This was a public setting—ignoring him would only make things messier. She forced a small, polite smile in response.

At least Morty wasn’t as tone-deaf as her ex. After greeting her, he didn’t linger—he turned toward Maxwell instead.

“I heard Mr. Maxwell just returned from studying abroad and has started taking over parts of the family business?”

The business world was small. Especially for second-generation elites—they all knew of each other, even if they hadn’t grown up together. Marty and Maxwell weren’t childhood friends, but they were definitely acquainted.

Maxwell reached out and shook Morty’s hand. “Mr. Morty. I see your reputation for staying informed is well-earned.”

“I do stay informed,” Morty said with zero humility. His gaze slid sideways, toward Ellis. “I also heard Ellis is now working as your assistant.”

Ellis resisted the urge to groan. Morty’s uncle had already sent people to warn her off, making it clear the family didn’t approve of her and Morty getting involved.

1:00 PM

Chapter 366: Ghosts in Tuxedos

I don’t even like the guy. But that didn’t mean she enjoyed being told who she could or couldn’t work for.

Maxwell gave a faint chuckle and continued exchanging pleasantries with Morty.

Ellis stood quietly to the side, refusing to join the conversation, no matter how many times someone tried to loop her in.

Her mind began to drift, and before she knew it, Maxwell had stepped away—likely to speak with one of the major players in the room.

That’s when she saw Easton heading straight for her. Without thinking, she turned her back to him.

“Ellis!”

She heard his voice behind her, and immediately felt her irritation spike. Morty was still nearby, and though he didn’t say anything, there was something smug about the faint curve of his mouth. His gaze slid past her, landing on Easton, cool and silent.

He didn’t provoke him outright, but his presence—and the way Ellis clearly preferred talking to him—was enough to light a fire under Easton.

The contrast was obvious. Morty wasn’t her favorite person, but Easton? She wouldn’t even acknowledge his existence unless she had to. That difference burned Easton more than anything.

He moved closer, stepping up beside her. “What are you doing here tonight?”

She didn’t answer. Just shot him a cold glare and mouthed two words: Get lost. If her boss weren’t nearby, and if they weren’t surrounded by people, she would’ve shouted it. Loud.

“Mr. Hudson didn’t know?” Morty tilted his head slightly, his tone too polite to be friendly. “Ellis is here for work.”

Ellis didn’t answer—but something about Morty answering for her rubbed her the wrong way. He got punched by Easton. And he’s acting like nothing happened?

Curiosity got the best of her, and she turned to glance at Morty. Their eyes met. His smile deepened, and something unreadable flickered behind his eyes.

Easton lived just one floor above her now. He had more chances than ever to run into her. But nothing ever changed. She ignored him. Or dismissed him. Or walked right past him without a glance. And every time she did, it lodged deeper—like a splinter in his throat he couldn’t get rid of.