I Was The Favor He Refused To See Chapter 09
Ivy didn’t look at Ethan.
She simply found a suitable seat and sat down. “He isn’t here yet.”
Ethan froze for a brief second, then his brows relaxed.
In the end, she had still read the warning in his eyes and chosen not to say it in public.
At least she knew better than to make a scene.
“Let’s talk about the project first.”
Ivy opened the proposal on the table and swept her gaze across the room. “Mr. Whitmore cares most about delivery capability and risk-control systems. Your company has obvious weaknesses in both areas. I suggest reorganizing the plan from the ground up.”
“Ivy.” Lily cut her off, her tone full of obvious dissatisfaction. “Are you here to help, or are you here to tear us down? You’re already talking about weaknesses before we’ve even met the client.”
Cole frowned as well, looking at Ivy in confusion.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the table.
Ivy’s tone didn’t sound like she was fighting for the company.
It sounded more like she was evaluating the company on the client’s behalf.
His gaze settled on Ivy.
A faint sense of unease rose in him, but he couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong.
Maybe she was still angry and was deliberately putting on this strictly professional act.
“Ivy,” Lily said, growing bolder when Ethan didn’t speak, “if you’re not feeling up to this today, you
can go home and rest. I can handle Mr. Whitmore myself. Ethan also said I should lead the discussion.”
Ivy ignored her.
She closed the proposal in front of her and stood, walking toward the door.
Everyone thought she was about to storm out.
But Ivy merely reached a hand toward the hallway outside.
At some point, a man in a charcoal-gray suit had appeared in the shadows.
He was tall and lean, with gentle features, probably in his early thirties.
There was a steadiness about him that felt almost tender.
He took Ivy’s hand naturally.
Together, they stepped forward and walked into the light of the room.
“Let me introduce him,” Ivy said, looking at everyone. “This is my fiancé, Noah Whitmore.”
Everyone froze.
Ethan shot up from his chair.
“Ivy, that’s Mr. Whitmore. Get back here right now!”
He hurried forward, yanked Ivy away, and placed himself between her and Noah Whitmore. The expression on his face shifted rapidly from shock into an ingratiating smile.
“Mr. Whitmore, this is my fault for not managing my employee properly. She works for my company, and she doesn’t know how to watch what she says. Please don’t take it personally.”
After a pause, he gritted his teeth and added, “She just wants too badly to help me land this project. Please forget what she said just now.”
Noah did not extend his hand.
He lowered his gaze to Ethan’s hand, which was still suspended awkwardly in midair, then looked up and smiled gently.
“Mr. Langford,” he said, his voice calm and unhurried, “I think you’ve misunderstood something.”
Ethan’s smile froze on his face.
“I’m not here to discuss a project.” Noah took Ivy’s hand again. “I’m here to pick up my fiancée from work.”