Chapter 189

Eleanor hesitated briefly before forcing a bright smile. "Of course, Harrison. Stay with your friend. Come have dinner with me when you're free."

"Will do, Grandma," Harrison replied.

The call ended abruptly.

Eleanor's sharp eyes turned to Nathaniel, who sat rigidly with a business newspaper hiding his expression.

"Did you two fight?" Eleanor demanded.

Nathaniel didn't lower the paper. "No."

Eleanor chuckled dryly. "Do you know Harrison's friend? Male or female?" Silence answered her.

She yanked the newspaper away. "Darling, you've been reading it upside down for twenty minutes."

Nathaniel blinked at the inverted text. His jaw tightened imperceptibly. Eleanor rose with a sigh. "I know you've been seeing that Isabella, but patience has limits, Nathaniel. Harrison won't wait forever. She's remarkable, and you're blind to it. Other men aren't. When she moves on, don't expect my sympathy."

Reginald entered just then. "Madam Eleanor, is Mrs. Harrison joining us for dinner?"

"Not tonight," Eleanor snapped. "I've lost my appetite." She swept upstairs without another word.

Reginald hesitated, sensing the tension. "Sir Nathaniel, Mrs. Harrison hasn't returned since starting university. Madam Eleanor misses her terribly. The manor feels... empty without her laughter."

With a pitying glance, Reginald withdrew.

Alone in the cavernous living room, Nathaniel loosened his tie with sharp jerks. His phone appeared in his palm, fingers flying over the screen.

[Why won't you come home?]

He stared at the unsent message, then deleted it letter by letter.

This was his doing. After that slap, she'd chosen Alexander's side. Of course she wouldn't return. He exhaled sharply, resolving to let it go.

Meanwhile, Alexander's injuries had nearly healed. On his discharge day, Harrison returned to her Willowridge University dorm.

A new roommate awaited - Daphne Sinclair.

Daphne's tragic backstory unfolded quickly: alcoholic gambler father, struggling mother, younger siblings to support.

Despite her hardships, Daphne possessed ethereal beauty with wide, innocent eyes. A drama student dreaming of stardom to rescue her family.

She offered Harrison and Rosalind a pastry box. "My mother made these. We can't afford much, but her baking is decent. Hope that's okay."

Rosalind bit into a cupcake immediately. "Fluffy perfection! Your mom's talented, Daphne."

Daphne watched Harrison with hopeful intensity, lips parted in anticipation.

Harrison sampled a pastry and nodded. "Exceptional baking, Daphne. Truly."

Daphne beamed. "I'm working at The Grand Celeste tonight. Must dash!" She grabbed her bag and vanished.

Rosalind departed for class soon after, leaving Harrison alone.

The phone rang suddenly. Penelope's excited voice burst through. "Harrison! You'll never guess - I met Dr. Sinclair!"