Chapter 155

Harrison had no clue what she'd just blurted out.

Nathaniel's gaze dropped to the ice cream cone in her hand, then traveled back up to her delicate features. His voice came out rougher than intended when he countered, "Some of what exactly?"

Her mind was a complete fog. She couldn't comprehend what he meant by that question.

Her pulse quickened - thud, thud, thud. The tension between them thickened, almost tangible enough to slice through.

Harrison decided to cut this awkward exchange short. "Mr. Falcon, I'm heading to bed now. Goodnight."

She abruptly ended the video call.

Rosalind, gathering her shower supplies, noticed Harrison's flushed cheeks. "Harrison, why are you so red?"

Harrison absently touched her warm face. "Must be the summer heat. Go take your shower, Rosalind."

"Alright," Rosalind replied, disappearing into the bathroom.

Alone, Harrison sank onto her bed, staring at the melting ice cream in her hand. Gradually, her thoughts cleared. Why had she panicked like that?

Earlier that morning, she'd asked him over the phone if he wanted repayment, and he'd simply hung up on her. So arrogant. So typical.

Then why hadn't he reacted that way just now? Why drop the cold facade?

Secretly, Harrison hoped he'd accept her repayment offer. Then they'd be square.

She finished transcribing the herbal remedy and sent it to Nathaniel.

In her contacts, she'd saved Nathaniel as "Husband".

No response came.

Same icy detachment. The message history showed only her one-sided attempts at conversation. These digital records stood as embarrassing witnesses to her pathetic marriage.

A bitter laugh escaped her. She grabbed her phone, struck a pose, and snapped a selfie before posting it as a status update.

Nathaniel sat in his corner office at Falcon Enterprises when Harrison's herbal recipe notification popped up. He ignored it, intending to focus on his paperwork.

Yet all he could visualize was Harrison licking that ice cream. The way her pink tongue had darted out playfully. Teasing. Forbidden.

And then she'd asked if he wanted some.

Wanted some what? The dessert? Or... something more intimate?

Nathaniel leaned back heavily in his leather chair, stretching his muscular frame as he loosened his tie with one hand, trying to cool down.

He grabbed his phone and opened Harrison's profile, scrolling straight to her updates.

There it was - a fresh selfie. Harrison wore that thin white camisole, holding her ice cream while staring directly into the camera as she licked it. The caption taunted: [Want a taste?]

Nathaniel froze. That image - her smooth skin exposed, her delicate features glowing with youthful mischief - assaulted his senses like a pop-up ad on an illicit website. Heat flooded his face. She'd actually posted this?

He couldn't stop himself from responding.

Ding.

Harrison's phone vibrated with his reply. Two terse, commanding words: [Take it down.]

He was ordering her to delete the post.

A smug smile curved Harrison's lips. He'd ignored her message but was stalking her updates. So much for pretending indifference.

She deleted it - after all, only he could see it. The post had been meant solely for his eyes.

Then she opened the chat with "Husband" and typed: [Do you want it?]

Nathaniel stared at the provocative question lighting up his screen. She was asking if he wanted it.

This was a bold challenge.

A deliberate provocation.

Asking him, point blank, if he wanted her.