Chapter 137

All five exam papers lay completed on the desk.

Nathaniel snatched them up immediately, his eyes scanning each page. Harrison's elegant handwriting filled every line, each answer flawless.

This couldn't be real.

His breath caught. She'd finished five comprehensive exams in sixty minutes - all perfect scores.

How?

Nathaniel's suspicious gaze landed on the sleeping Harrison. "Dominic," he called sharply.

The office door swung open. "Mr. Falcon, how may I assist you?"

"I can't believe you'd dare pull this stunt right under my nose!"

Dominic blinked in confusion. "Sir? What have I done?"

Nathaniel slammed the papers down. "You gave Harrison the answers!"

Dominic paled. "That's impossible! I would never-"

Nathaniel cut him off. Explanations meant nothing to him now. No one could complete five perfect exams in one hour without cheating. Dominic had to be involved.

"Consider this month's salary forfeited. Don't let it happen again. Get out."

Shoulders slumped, Dominic exited, injustice burning in his chest.

Nathaniel had intended to wake Harrison and reprimand her properly. But seeing her peaceful sleeping face and noting the late hour, he changed his mind. Instead, he scooped her up gently and carried her to his private lounge.

He'd been using the lounge as his bedroom recently. Now he laid Harrison down on his own bed.

As he turned to leave, Harrison's arms suddenly snaked around his neck, pulling him down beside her.

After days apart, they shared a bed again.

Harrison's warm body curled against his chest, her small hands clinging to him. She nestled into his embrace with a contented sigh, drifting deeper into sleep.

Nathaniel froze. After their separation, her closeness felt foreign yet familiar. Still the same clingy girl.

Her grip was surprisingly strong.

He tried prying her hands loose. "Harrison, release me. We can't sleep together."

Isabella had forbidden him from sharing a bed with Harrison.

No response.

His efforts proved futile. Frustration and helplessness flickered across his handsome features.

Soon, drowsiness overtook him. One hand settled on Harrison's delicate shoulder as he pulled her closer, eyes closing.

At that moment, his silenced phone on the bedside table lit up. Isabella was calling.

The screen flashed repeatedly, the vibration silent against the wooden surface.

Morning light filtered through the curtains when Nathaniel finally stirred.

Harrison still lay curled against him, breathing evenly.

He checked the time - nearly 8 AM. Unheard of for him, who normally rose at 6 sharp. Something about sleeping beside Harrison always made him oversleep.

Carefully, he tried extracting his arm.

Harrison immediately clung tighter, protesting with a soft whimper.

Nathaniel looked down at her porcelain face. "Harrison, I have work."

She buried her face deeper into his chest, wriggling slightly. "Hmm!"

That petulant sound - half protest, half plea - sent an unexpected jolt through him.

Against his better judgment, Nathaniel settled back onto the pillows.

He'd never seen this coquettish side of her before.

That playful pout made every muscle in his body tense.