Alpha's Regret: Losing His True Mate-Chapter 169

Johnny’s words landed and for like two seconds, people looked interested. Then reality kicked in.

Wait. Didn’t she just start working there?

The math wasn’t mathing. But nobody was gonna say that out loud. Instead, they all just smiled and nodded like Johnny had said something totally normal instead of something that screamed "I’m trying to make my girl sound impressive."

Look, everyone got it. Johnny was successful, Elodie was gorgeous, and men say dumb things when they’re into someone. Tale as old as time.

"Miss Miller truly combines both talent and beauty," some guy said, and honestly? That line was so rehearsed it practically had dust on it.

A few others mumbled similar crap. The kind of compliments that sound nice but mean absolutely nothing. Then they went back to their drinks, already bored.

Meanwhile, Sienna was about to crack her champagne glass.

She wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore. Just standing there, staring, her whole body tense like she was watching a car crash in slow motion.

She looked over at Dante.

He glanced at Elodie for maybe a second. Maybe. Then looked away like he’d just checked the weather and found it mildly cloudy. His face showed nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Sienna hated that she’d even looked. She turned away, annoyed, and caught Harry Becker staring across the room like he was trying to burn a hole through something with his eyes.

She followed where he was looking. Johnny. Obviously. Harry wanted that Cole deal bad. Everyone knew it. He was probably just waiting for the perfect time to walk over and start talking business.

It wasn’t about Elodie. Why would it be? Harry didn’t even like her. He’d made that pretty obvious before.

"What?" Harry said suddenly.

Shit. He’d noticed her staring at him.

"Nothing," Sienna said.

He looked at her for a second, then shrugged it off. The little crowd around Johnny and Elodie was breaking up now. People were wandering off to find more interesting conversations.

"I’m gonna go say hi," Harry announced. He straightened his jacket, messed with his watch. Getting ready, then he looked at Dante. "Dante, you still thinking about working with Cole? We could go together."

Dante swirled his drink around, the ice clinking. "Go ahead. I’m good."

"Suit yourself."

Harry walked over like he owned the place, an easy smile already on his lips.

"Mr. Gray," he said, all friendly. "Miss Miller."

Johnny’s face changed completely. The smile stayed but everything behind it went cold. Like someone had flipped a switch.

"Mr. Becker," Johnny said. His tone could’ve frozen water. "Didn’t expect to see you."

"Mr. Becker," Elodie said. Just that. Two words with no emotion.

Then Rex Hardin showed up because apparently things weren’t awkward enough.

The man looked straight past Elodie like she literally wasn’t there. Just focused on Johnny.

"Mr. Gray."

Oh boy. The temperature dropped fast.

Johnny’s expression went from cold to arctic. "Mr. Hardin." He bit the words out. "Didn’t see you. We’ve been busy."

Rex finally looked at Elodie. And the look on his face? Like he’d stepped in something gross and just noticed.

Nobody said anything after that. They just stood there in this horrible silence while the rest of the party went on around them. People laughing, talking, having fun. And their little group just frozen in the world’s most uncomfortable moment.

Elodie didn’t move. Didn’t react. Her face was completely calm, like nothing was wrong. Like she wasn’t being treated like garbage right in front of everyone.

Rex knew exactly what Elodie had probably told Johnny. Women like her always twisted things, made themselves look like the victim. Whatever story she’d spun, it clearly worked.

Still, he wasn’t about to back down. "A few days ago, I came by Cole," he said, keeping his voice even. "Not sure if you knew about that, Mr. Gray?"

"Oh, I knew." Johnny’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Elodie told me all about it. I looked at your proposal too. It’s good, actually. Solid work." He paused, and Rex could feel the "but" coming from a mile away. "But personally? I’m not interested. So I’m afraid the collaboration isn’t going to happen, Mr. Hardin."

Rex’s jaw tightened. Was this guy seriously letting a woman cloud his judgment?

"I thought you were the type to keep business and personal stuff separate," Rex said. He didn’t bother hiding the edge in his voice.

"I am," Johnny shot back, not even pretending anymore. "Depends on the situation though."

Translation: when it came to Elodie, all bets were off. Johnny wasn’t even trying to be professional about it.

Rex felt his frustration spike. His father had been crystal clear, focus on Cole Technologies for the next two years. These projects had potential, way more than most people realized. Which meant he couldn’t just walk away because Johnny Gray had a thing for his employee.

"If you think my proposal needs work," Rex said carefully, "I’ll bring you a better one. Soon."

He glanced at Harry, then back at Johnny. "Since you’re busy, I won’t take up more of your time. Excuse me."

He turned and walked away before he said something he’d regret. Not once did he mention Elodie’s name. Didn’t need to. They all knew what this was really about.

Harry had been standing there the whole time, watching the exchange like it was a tennis match. It didn’t take a genius to figure out why Johnny had shot Rex down. This had Elodie’s fingerprints all over it.

But Harry wasn’t stupid. He didn’t ask. Instead, he acted like he’d heard nothing interesting at all.

"I’ve actually got a new proposal ready too," Harry said smoothly. "Mr. Gray, Miss Miller... would you two be free Monday? Maybe we could grab dinner, talk it over?"

Johnny had never really liked Harry. Even though Harry’s proposals were always top-notch, there was just something about the guy that rubbed him the wrong way.

But now Harry was including Elodie in the invitation. Being respectful. That earned him a few points.

"Monday?" Johnny kept his tone professional. "Not sure yet. If I’m free, I’ll reach out. Don’t wait around for me, Mr. Becker."

Harry smiled like that was exactly the answer he’d expected. "I’ll hold you to that, Mr. Gray."

Right then, the host stepped up onto the small stage at the front of the hall. The chatter died down as he started talking, thanking everyone for coming, the usual speech. Then the music shifted into something slow and elegant, and he took his wife’s hand. They started dancing.

Applause rippled through the crowd. Within seconds, other couples were joining them on the floor. Women in expensive gowns, men in tailored suits, all of them moving together like they’d rehearsed it.

A young, pretty woman, clearly from money based on her jewelry alone, appeared next to Harry. She smiled up at him. "Mr. Becker, would you dance with me?"

Harry’s expression changed. Just slightly. Something flickered across his face, too quick to read.

His eyes shifted. Toward Elodie.

It was fast. Subtle. Most people wouldn’t have even noticed.

Johnny didn’t. He was too busy turning toward Elodie with this ridiculous grin on his face. He made this over-the-top bow, hand extended like some character from a period drama.

"Beautiful and lovely Miss Miller," he said, hamming it up completely, "may I have the incredible honor of dancing with you?"