### Chapter 19: Someone Is Going To Be Unhappy “Good morning, Mr. Harding.” Janet inclined her head, offering a respectful greeting as she stepped into the elevator. To her surprise, she hadn’t anticipated crossing paths with Garrett again so soon. “Did you encounter any difficulties after our last meeting?” He pressed the button for the tenth floor, a warm smile gracing his lips as he turned towards her. Janet blinked, momentarily taken aback by his inquiry. They had shared only a brief encounter before, yet here he was, genuinely concerned. “No, everything’s perfectly fine. Thank you for asking, Mr. Harding,” she replied, managing a polite smile, though she felt the weight of curiosity resting upon her shoulders. Garrett’s gaze slid to Christopher, who stood beside her, an easy confidence radiating from him. “And who might this gentleman be?” he inquired, genuine intrigue coloring his tone. “Mr. Harding, I’m Christopher Garrison. If Janet has any issues, I’m here to assist her. You can be assured of that,” Christopher responded, his eyes glinting with a protective warmth aimed at Janet. Garrett, perceptive as ever, sensed the unspoken bond between them. In an instant, the smile that had adorned his face waned, replaced by something more serious—his keen intuition suggesting that someone would soon be discontent. As the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, Garrett stepped out, casting one last significant look back at Janet and Christopher before disappearing down the hall. Later, when the clock signaled the end of the workday, dark clouds amassed ominously overhead, veiling the sun and casting the world into shadows. Janet and Christopher emerged from the building, laughter spilling between them like music, their banter a cheerful defiance against the dreary weather. The sight of the handsome man alongside the beautiful woman drew glances from passersby—after all, they could easily have been mistaken for models strutting their stuff on a runway. At a distance, perched inside an idling car, Ethan watched silently as the two figures grew smaller in the twilight haze. Anger brewed inside him, insistent and hot, simmering just beneath the surface until he could no longer contain it. “See? I wasn’t lying to you,” Garrett’s voice slithered through his thoughts, laced with a malicious satisfaction that fueled Ethan’s distress. Unable to bear the situation any longer, he flung open the car door and stepped out, fury evident in his blazing eyes. “This doesn’t concern you! Stay out of it!” he snapped, the words erupting from him before he could think better of it. After saying goodbye to Christopher, Janet veered down a shortcut to the next street, eager to catch a bus. But as she slipped into an alley, a sharp tap on her shoulder startled her. “Where are you off to, babe?” called a voice, cold yet strangely familiar. Janet pivoted sharply, her heart racing as she recognized Ethan standing there, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Seriously? Do you have to call me that in public?” she hissed, her cheeks flushing crimson as she scanned the area to ensure no prying eyes were watching. Fortunately, the alley was empty, save for the two of them. “I’m simply greeting my wife. Not against the law, is it?” Ethan retorted, his playful demeanor undeniable as he pinched her cheek teasingly before grabbing her bag and positioning himself beside her. “What are you doing here anyway?” she asked, attempting to steer the conversation away from the awkward term of endearment and their public display. “I was on the same route and spotted you with… him. Thought you were off to a hotel for some ‘fun,’” Ethan’s words dripped with a mixture of jealousy and bitterness, causing Janet’s cheeks to redden further. “Are you serious?!” she retorted, her irritation flaring as she lightly hit his shoulder. “Stop talking nonsense! Christopher is just an old schoolmate! I mentioned Elaine to you the other day—remember? Chris is the one who helped me land this job.” Despite the frustration that simmered between them, Janet couldn’t ignore the sense of unease beginning to settle in her heart as they walked side by side, the storm brewing both above them and between them. It was clear that changes were on the horizon, and not everyone was going to be happy with the unfolding events.