Chapter 160

Alexander ignored all the other presents on the table. But when it came to Harrison's gift, his eyes lit up with genuine curiosity.

"I'm quite intrigued," he admitted with a playful smirk.

Sebastian carelessly tossed the gift bag onto the coffee table. Alexander reached inside to retrieve its contents.

Harrison's stomach dropped as she realized her gift might not meet Alexander's expectations. "Alexander, I was in a hurry when I bought this, so I just got you-"

She was about to say "a tie" when Alexander pulled out not an accessory, but an envelope.

Harrison froze.

"Alexander, the lovely lady wrote you a letter? Read it aloud!" someone shouted from the crowd.

Alexander unfolded the letter dramatically. "Alexander, on your special day, I wanted to give you something meaningful. The truth is, from our first meeting, I've been drawn to you. I want to be your girlfriend. Let's make this official."

Harrison's blood ran cold.

This wasn't her letter. Someone had switched the gifts.

She remembered how Sebastian had handled the bag earlier.

Harrison's eyes snapped up to meet Sebastian's, catching the smug satisfaction on his face.

It was him.

And Isabella, seated across the room, watched with barely concealed amusement. The pieces clicked into place - Isabella's scheme, executed by her ever-loyal Sebastian.

The room exploded with laughter and catcalls.

"Alexander just got himself a girlfriend for his birthday!"

"Looks like the playboy's off the market! Kiss her already!"

The crowd began chanting, urging them on.

Alexander turned to Harrison, feigning surprise. "Harrison, you really want to be with me?"

Mortified, Harrison pulled him closer and whispered urgently, "Alexander, this is a misunderstanding. I didn't write that letter..."

Alexander grinned, leaning in so close that to onlookers, it appeared they were sharing an intimate moment.

"I know," he murmured back.

Harrison blinked in shock. He knew?

"Then why-"

Alexander winked conspiratorially. "Harrison, it's my birthday. You wouldn't want to humiliate me in front of all these people, would you? If you reject me now, I'll never hear the end of it."

Harrison hesitated, torn between honesty and kindness. "So you're suggesting-"

"Harrison," Alexander interrupted with a charming smile, "let's pretend for tonight."

A fake relationship with Alexander?

Harrison didn't want to lead him on. Though Alexander had pursued her, he'd always respected her boundaries, allowing their friendship to develop naturally.

But now, with dozens of eyes watching expectantly...

Harrison couldn't bring herself to embarrass someone who'd always treated her with such consideration. In her life, such kindness had been rare.

With a resigned sigh, she nodded. "Fine."

Alexander's face lit up like Christmas morning. Before she could protest, he swept her into an embrace. "Harrison, this is the best gift ever."

The room erupted in cheers. "Alexander's finally been tamed!" someone yelled.

Amid the celebration, one pair of eyes remained cold and calculating.

Nathaniel sat motionless on the sofa, his gaze locked on the embracing couple. His expression darkened with each passing second, his fingers tightening around his glass until his knuckles turned white.