Chapter 101

"I gave up everything to send her to school. Sold all my possessions to get her to the city. And now? She won't even look at me. Says I embarrass her. Told me to go back to where I came from..."

Vincent Blackwood's sobs were so convincing, he nearly believed his own lies. The performance deserved a standing ovation.

Camera shutters clicked rapidly. Reporters salivated over the scandal—a foster father abandoned by his ungrateful daughter was front-page gold. Each journalist prayed to break the story first. Sympathy for Vincent swelled. The crowd turned on Harrison.

"Some people are just born wicked," one reporter muttered.

Sebastian handed Vincent a tissue, voice dripping with righteous fury. "This press conference exists to expose Harrison's true nature. Too many still believe her lies. She can't discard her foster father like trash—she must face consequences!"

Vincent wiped his face, a smirk hidden beneath the tissue. Even with Nathaniel's protection, Harrison wouldn't escape this. Victoria and Isabella exchanged smug glances.

Theodore hadn't bothered attending. This spectacle would ruin Harrison without his presence. He was busy wining and dining executives at The Grand Celeste. All that remained was waiting for Victoria's triumphant call.

Victoria manufactured a pained expression. "I must apologize. Harrison is my daughter. My failure as a mother created this monster."

Isabella rushed to her defense. "Mother, this isn't your fault!"

The reporters rallied instantly. "Mrs. Whitmore, you're an exemplary parent. Look how perfectly you raised Isabella!"

"Some souls are just rotten to the core. No upbringing could fix that."

Victoria's hidden smile widened. Harrison's destruction was cementing her own saintly image.

Sebastian seized the moment. "The conference has begun, yet Harrison remains absent. Guilt keeps her away!"

A cool voice sliced through the murmurs. "Mr. Gondale, were you mentioning me?"

All heads turned.

Harrison stood framed in the doorway, radiant and composed. She'd arrived.

Alone.

She strode forward with lethal grace. Reporters parted like the Red Sea. She stopped inches from Sebastian.

His face purpled. "Harrison! How dare you show your face here!"

She tilted her head, a razor-edged smile playing on her lips. "Mr. Gondale, make up your mind. Do you want me here or not?"

"You wretched—" Sebastian choked on his rage. Harrison always knew how to gut him with words.

Victoria's eyes gleamed. Harrison's appearance was perfect. A subtle nod to Vincent.

He lunged, grasping for Harrison's arm. "Harrison—"

She recoiled as if burned. "Don't touch me with those filthy hands. I'll vomit."

Vincent froze.

Victoria pounced. "Harrison! How can you be so cruel to the man who raised you?"

Isabella chimed in. "Apologize immediately! Take him home where he belongs!"

Sebastian roared, "You're despicable!"

The reporters became a snarling pack. "We see your true colors now, Harrison! This ends today!"

Nathaniel and Alexander entered just as the mob closed in. Harrison stood encircled by wolves.