Chapter 149

In the girls' dormitory...

"Ah... That stings... Rosalind, please be careful..."

Harrison had returned to the dorm after leaving Rosewood Manor, with Rosalind gently pressing an ice pack against her swollen cheek.

Hearing Harrison's whimper, Rosalind muttered through clenched teeth, "Julian is a monster! How dare he lay hands on you? Where is he now? Wait—Harrison, why are you back alone?"

When Rosalind opened the door earlier, her breath caught at the sight of Harrison limping in, her face marred by an angry red handprint. Bruises and welts covered her arms and legs—undeniable evidence of violence.

The late hour and Harrison's solitary return with such injuries made Rosalind's chest tighten with protective fury.

Where was Nathaniel now?

Earlier, Isabella had gone to see Nathaniel, so Julian should have been released by now.

Harrison trembled slightly before wordlessly burying her face in Rosalind's shoulder. "Rosalind, my face hurts too much to talk right now."

"Alright, alright," Rosalind soothed immediately. "No more questions. Let me treat your other injuries. This ointment will have you looking like your gorgeous self by morning."

The soft lamplight bathed the dorm room in a warm glow.

By dawn, thanks to Rosalind's attentive care and the healing balm, the marks on Harrison's face and body had faded significantly. Her porcelain skin regained its usual flawless appearance.

As they prepared to leave for breakfast, two figures suddenly blocked their path—Reginald and Beatrice Ashford.

Rosalind instantly stepped forward defensively. "What do you want?"

Without warning, the Ashfords dropped to their knees before Harrison.

Rosalind gaped. "Harrison, what...?"

Harrison blinked in equal shock. She hadn't anticipated this humiliating display from Julian's parents.

Frowning, she demanded, "What's the meaning of this?"

The Ashfords clearly hadn't slept, their faces drawn with exhaustion and desperation.

Tears welled in Beatrice's eyes as she clasped her hands pleadingly. "Our son is a fool who harmed you. As his parents, we beg your forgiveness. Please... ask Mr. Falcon to release him."

Harrison paused. "Nathaniel hasn't let him go?"

"No." Reginald shook his head miserably. "Last night we begged Isabella to intervene. She spoke to Mr. Falcon on our behalf, but he refused. He said... he said..."

Harrison's eyes narrowed. "What exactly did he say?"

Reginald swallowed hard. "Mr. Falcon said we were pleading with the wrong person. That we should be begging you, not Isabella."

Had Nathaniel truly said that?

Harrison had assumed Nathaniel would release Julian immediately after Isabella's request. Apparently not. And Nathaniel had made that explicitly clear to the Ashfords.

"Julian is our only child," Reginald continued hoarsely. "We spoiled him rotten, and our poor parenting led to him hurting you. We'll make any amends you require. The Falcon and Ashford families have been allies for generations. Mr. Falcon said the decision rests entirely with you. Do you truly wish to destroy this longstanding alliance?"

The Ashfords groveled pathetically before her.

Harrison exhaled sharply. "Get up. I'll call Nathaniel to release Julian."

"Really? Thank you!" Beatrice wept with relief.

"But I never want to see Julian again," Harrison stated firmly.

Reginald nodded frantically. "The moment he's released, we're taking him abroad! You'll never have to lay eyes on him again!"

Harrison gave a curt nod. "Fine."

The Ashfords showered her with gratitude before departing.

When Harrison called Nathaniel, his cold voice sent shivers down her spine. "I don't want your gratitude as repayment," he snapped before abruptly hanging up.

Heat flooded her cheeks—he'd rejected her thanks!

If he didn't want her gratitude, why maintain such icy distance? The humiliation made her wish the floor would swallow her whole.

Just then, excited chatter erupted nearby. Penelope had arrived.

A crowd of starstruck students swarmed around Penelope. "Penelope, can I have your autograph?"

"Penelope, you're our role model!"

Rosalind quickly explained. "Harrison, since Julian took you yesterday, you missed the lecture aftermath. Dr. Sinclair was absent, and in the chaos, his assistant—our very own Willowridge University star Penelope—stepped in to deliver the lecture. The standing ovation was deafening. Overnight, Penelope became famous."

"Also," Rosalind added, "Penelope's research paper was selected for display at the National Medical Gallery tomorrow. This is an incredible honor, and now everyone's talking about her."

Harrison observed Penelope's unusually smug expression. It seemed that in the king's absence, the jester had indeed claimed the throne.