Chapter 144

Harrison sobbed uncontrollably, her voice cracking with raw emotion.

"You're always so furious with me... What's wrong with wearing makeup or lipstick? Isabella does it daily, yet you never raise your voice at her... If she'd been kidnapped instead, you'd be holding her close, whispering sweet nothings... You just despise me, don't you? Why do you hate me this much?"

Her delicate frame shook with each ragged breath. Puffy red eyes and a flushed nose made her look like a fragile rosebud. Crystal tears streamed down her cheeks in an endless flow.

Nathaniel's expression shifted dramatically, his face draining of color. He immediately knelt beside her, reaching out. "Harrison, please stop crying."

She rarely cried in his presence. The only other time he'd witnessed her tears was during sleep, when she'd whimpered for her deceased mother.

This marked the second occasion - and he was the cause.

Seeing her like this tore at his heart.

Nathaniel gently brushed away a tear with his thumb. "Isabella wears makeup, but you're different..."

Harrison possessed an ethereal, natural beauty - like some woodland nymph. Cosmetics only enhanced her striking features, especially that cherry-red lipstick. Her painted lips resembled ripe peaches - tempting, irresistible.

Isabella could wear whatever she pleased without consequence.

But for Harrison, it always led to trouble.

She wasn't like Isabella.

The tears kept coming. Each time Nathaniel wiped them away, fresh ones took their place. Her glossy eyes burned with accusation and pain.

"Save your excuses. You're biased. Isabella's perfect while I'm just... me."

Nathaniel wasn't accustomed to comforting women. This torrent of emotion left him floundering. Why so many tears?

His voice dropped to a husky whisper. "Harrison, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so harsh. Please, stop crying."

But the floodgates remained open. Harrison couldn't comprehend why Nathaniel despised her so.

Then, in a sudden burst of frustration, she sank her teeth into his wrist.

This time, the bite lacked force. Nathaniel barely felt it.

He didn't react. If biting helped calm her, he'd endure it gladly.

Harrison released him, sniffling as she wiped her nose. "Did that hurt?"

Nathaniel wondered how other men handled such moments - when their lover bites in anger, then immediately regrets it.

He didn't know about others, but his own heart was melting.

He'd always known Harrison was trying to seduce him.

And truthfully? He loved it.

Her particular brand of temptation thrilled him. Always had.

Nathaniel's gaze darkened as he shook his head. "Not at all."

Harrison hugged herself tightly. "I need to shower. Please leave."

Nathaniel exited the bathroom.

Moments later, Dominic entered. "Mr. Falcon, Mr. Ashford has arrived. He's aware of the situation and knows you're holding Julian. He's demanding his son's release."

Nathaniel's face remained impassive, lips curling into a cold smirk. "Have him wait in the study."

Inside the study, Reginald and Beatrice Ashford stood anxiously.

Reginald met Nathaniel's gaze, voice laced with forced calm. "Nathaniel, this is entirely Julian's doing. He must have lost his mind to target your wife. We're here to apologize. But you understand - Julian's our only heir. Considering our families' longstanding friendship, I'm asking you to release our son."