Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 421

Isabel stood at the doorway, a gentle, graceful smile on her face as she offered up a beautifully wrapped gift box.

“Looks like your place is the hotspot today. Is this a housewarming party? How come I didn’t get an invite?”

Emmy just shrugged, a little apologetic. “I only invited some of my husband’s friends. I don’t really have many friends myself, so I figured it was better not to make a big deal.”

Isabel arched an eyebrow and nudged the gift closer.

“Excuse me, am I not your friend? We live practically next door. You’re throwing a housewarming and not inviting me? That’s cold.”

She pressed the box toward Emmy, insisting, “Come on, it’s for you. Open it. I promise you’ll like it.”

But before Emmy could reach for the box, a loud voice called from the living room.

“Emmy! Who’s at the door? Why are you two blocking the way?”

Abriella’s voice hit before she did, and a second later she swooped into the entryway like a whirlwind. When she saw Isabel, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Without missing a beat, she yanked Emmy behind her.

“What are you doing here?”

Abriella shot Isabel a look, then clung to Emmy’s hands.

“Don’t take her gift. You’re only allowed to accept presents from me!”

Emmy shot Isabel a sheepish grin.

“My bestie here gets jealous super easily. I’m sorry, Isabel. I really appreciate the thought, but I can’t take the gift.”

Isabel’s smile slipped just a little. “Alright, I guess I picked the wrong time. Maybe next time, just the two of us?”

She pulled the box back and turned to Abriella, her voice calm but her words sharp.

“Abriella, I know you care about Emmy. But being a real friend isn’t about keeping her all to yourself or making her choices for her.”

“You always want her safe in your little bubble. But have you ever stopped to think if you’re really protecting her, or just trying to control her?”

With that, Isabel nodded gracefully at Emmy, turned around with her gift, and disappeared into the elevator.

Abriella just stood there, stunned. Then she snapped out of it, huffed, and stomped her foot at the closing elevator doors.

Steve must’ve noticed, because he sidled over and said quietly, “Don’t let them fool you. All that money? They earn every penny the hard way.”

Emmy felt her chest tighten and nodded.

“I know. They literally risk their lives to save people. You can’t put a price on that.”

Steve looked like he wanted to set her straight, a little smile playing on his lips.

“I mean, yeah, but I wasn’t talking about hero stuff or running into burning buildings. I was saying—”

James cut him off with a pointed cough, then grabbed Steve by the collar and hauled him away.

“Dinner’s ready. Go line up and wash your hands with the rest of them.”

Steve stumbled, rolling his eyes, and joined the line of guys waiting by the bathroom.

Watching them, Emmy couldn’t help but laugh. She turned to James, teasing, “What, you’re not going to let him finish his story?”