Alpha's Regret: Losing His True Mate-Chapter 183

Harry picked up on the closeness between Elodie and Old Madam Miller pretty quick. He straightened up a little, respectful.

"You must be Old Madam Miller. It’s an honor."

Old Madam Miller smiled warmly. "Hello, Mr. Becker."

Back near the entrance, the Brown and Green families had assumed Harry was heading over to schmooze with some VIP. Someone important.

They didn’t expect him to walk up to Johnny and Elodie.

Johnny, sure. That made sense.

But Elodie? And Old Madam Miller?

Watching Harry be so polite to them, Old Madam Green’s eyes narrowed. She turned to Levi.

"What’s going on over there?"

Levi kept her voice low. "Harry’s partnered with Johnny on a big project. And Elodie? She’s got serious pull at Cole now. Johnny was ready to kill his deal with Harry because of her at one point. So Harry’s playing nice. Business over personal feelings, you know?"

Old Madam Brown and Old Madam Green both nodded, understanding now.

They knew about Cole. The Brown family had tried working with them before. But because of Elodie, it fell through. So yeah, they weren’t exactly fans.

Because of that, they didn’t read too much into Harry being respectful. It was just business. That’s all.

Tracy, holding onto Old Madam Green’s arm, leaned in and whispered, "I didn’t realize Mr. Gray was so... attentive to her."

Seeing how much Johnny seemed to value Elodie made her stomach twist a little.

Old Madam Green stayed calm. "Don’t worry about it."

Whatever was going on between Elodie and Johnny, it wasn’t going to last.

Once Dante officially divorced her, Elodie would be a *second-time bride*. Damaged goods. How could the Gray family ever accept a woman who’d already been married and had a kid?

Elodie’s good luck would run out soon enough.

Just then, Sophia showed up.

She hadn’t wanted to come. Art exhibitions bored her to tears. But she’d heard Harry was going to be here, and she hadn’t seen him in a while, so she changed her mind.

After saying quick hellos to her family and Levi, she was about to ask if Harry had arrived yet when she turned and spotted him. Talking to Elodie.

Her eyes went wide.

"Why is Harry talking to her?"

Before Levi could answer, Sophia started moving toward them.

Levi grabbed her arm. "They’re talking business."

"Business?"

"Yes."

Sophia stopped, lips pressed into a thin line. She let out a sharp breath through her nose, trying to swallow down the irritation bubbling up inside her.

But her eyes stayed locked on Harry and Elodie.

Elodie was wearing a long winter dress that was simple, elegant, not overdone. But somehow she still stood out. And standing next to Harry like that, they looked... good together.

Sophia knew nothing was happening. She knew that.

But it still bothered her.

Sophia tugged at Levi’s sleeve, impatient. "What are they even talking about? It’s been forever."

Levi sighed. Sophia’s crush on Harry wasn’t exactly subtle. Everyone knew. And everyone also knew Harry had zero interest in spoiled, high-maintenance girls like her. He’d already turned her down. Multiple times.

"It’s just networking," Levi said. "That’s how business works."

"Can’t they network on a workday?"

Levi was getting tired of this conversation. He just wanted to go inside, sit down, drink some tea. But Harry was still out here chatting, so he was stuck.

Right then, Dante and Sienna finally showed up.

Levi perked up and waved them over. "Hey! Over here!"

Logan and the others immediately rushed over with bright smiles.

"Frank! Sienna! You made it!"

Dante nodded, about to respond, when his eyes landed on Elodie and Harry talking a few feet away.

The Brown and Green families watched him closely, waiting to see how he’d react.

Dante barely paused. He turned his attention back to them and said smoothly, "I’ll go say hello real quick."

Old Madam Green and Sophia both stiffened slightly.

Dante walked off.

Sienna smiled at the group, her tone light and casual. "Old Madam Wilson and their family have always had a good relationship. Even after the divorce, I don’t think he’d just cut them off completely."

So running into them here and saying a polite hello? Totally normal.

That was all it was.

Hearing that, Old Madam Green and the others visibly relaxed.

For a second there, they’d thought...

Sienna glanced in Elodie’s direction briefly, then looked away, calm as ever.

---

Elodie had been facing Logan and the others when Dante and Sienna arrived. She’d noticed.

But she definitely hadn’t expected Dante to walk over to her.

Her brow furrowed.

"Old Madam Miller."

Dante greeted her grandmother first, polite as always.

Old Madam Miller, who’d been smiling just moments before, went cold. "Mr. Wilson."

Dante didn’t react to the chill in her voice. Just nodded.

Then he looked at Elodie.

She turned her face away. Didn’t acknowledge him at all.

Like Sienna said, he was just here to say hello. That’s it. After this, he’d leave.

Before he turned to go, he glanced at Harry, a silent question in his eyes. You coming?

Harry nodded and turned back to the group. "I’ve got some things to take care of. I’ll catch up with you all later."

Johnny waved him off without a word.

Old Madam Miller smiled politely. "Of course. We’ll talk soon."

Harry and Dante turned and headed back toward the Brown and Green families.

"Harry."

The second Harry got back, Sophia’s voice went all sweet and hopeful.

Harry gave her the barest nod. Cold. Dismissive.

Dante was scanning the room, clearly looking for someone. Sophia jumped in helpfully.

"Sienna just got a phone call. She went outside to take it."

"Got it. Thanks."

Right then, a ripple of excitement spread through the crowd.

Old Master Hall had stepped out.

Jordan Hall, Jimmy Hall, and the rest of the Hall family flanked him as he made his way through the room. With so many people packed in, it took a moment for everyone to quiet down.

Once they did, Master Hall gave a short speech, thanking everyone for coming.

Elodie, Johnny, and Old Madam Miller were standing toward the back, but Jordan still spotted them.

Johnny had come to deliver a gift on behalf of his family’s patriarch. Jimmy had already told Jordan and the old master about that.

But Elodie? Jordan hadn’t expected to see her here.

When their eyes met, Jordan smiled and gave her a small nod.

Elodie had no idea Jordan was connected to Master Hall.

Seeing him acknowledge her, she smiled politely back.

Over by the Browns and Greens, people noticed Jordan nodding at someone but couldn’t tell who.

After Master Hall wrapped up his thanks, the room burst into applause.

Then the crowd swarmed. People pushing forward to talk about his art, others angling to introduce themselves to Jordan and the rest of the Halls.

It took a while, but eventually Harry and Dante made their way over to Master Hall.

He accepted their gifts with a gracious nod. "Very thoughtful of you."

His eyes moved over Dante, Harry, Rex, and the others, a smile tugging at his lips. "It’s been years since I’ve seen you young men. You’ve all grown into fine adults. Very impressive."

While Master Hall chatted with Dante’s group, Jordan excused himself and started making his way through the crowd.

Toward Elodie.

Johnny saw him coming and stepped forward to greet him first.

After exchanging pleasantries with Johnny, Jordan turned his attention to Elodie.

"Elodie. Good to see you again."

Elodie smiled. "Uncle Hall."

Jordan’s smile widened. He knew who Old Madam Miller was, and he shook her hand warmly.

When Elodie mentioned that her grandmother was a huge fan of Master Hall’s work, Jordan’s face lit up.

"If you don’t mind, I’d love to invite you inside for a more private viewing. There are a lot of guests here today, but honestly? I think only a handful of them actually *appreciate* my father’s work. Meeting someone who truly understands it would make his day."

Jordan had come over specifically to talk to Elodie.

But to everyone else watching? It just looked like he was making the rounds, greeting guests, and happened to stop by Johnny.

Most people figured he was just being polite to the Gray family.