Chapter 241

The situation had clearly shifted in Gabrielle's favor, and Nathaniel's intervention was evident.

Rosalind's phone call hadn't even ended when Nathaniel's deep voice echoed through the car's speakers. "Harrison, where exactly are you with Mr. Falcon right now?"

"We're—"

"I can see Mr. Falcon's car!"

A sharp rap on the tinted window startled them both. Rosalind stood outside, knocking impatiently.

Harrison hadn't anticipated her friend's sudden appearance. Though the luxury sedan's darkened windows provided privacy, Rosalind's proximity made Harrison acutely aware of her compromising position—perched on Nathaniel's lap in a scandalous embrace.

"Harrison." Nathaniel's voice dropped to that dangerously smooth register that always made her pulse quicken.

She met his gaze. "Yes?"

"Release me."

"What?"

His heated stare traveled downward, where her legs were locked around his waist in a vice-like grip. The sudden interruption had made her cling to him instinctively.

Nathaniel swallowed hard, his jaw tightening. "Your legs... loosen your hold. You're squeezing too tight."

Heat flooded Harrison's cheeks. Mortified, she scrambled off him and practically dove into the passenger seat before opening the door. "Rosalind!"

"Harrison!" Rosalind grabbed her hand excitedly. "Gabrielle's free! We need to get to the police station immediately."

"Let's hail a cab," Harrison suggested quickly.

"A cab? Why would we do that when Mr. Falcon's right here?" Before Harrison could protest, Rosalind had already shoved her into the backseat.

Turning to Nathaniel, who now sat composed behind the wheel, Rosalind asked politely, "Mr. Falcon, would you mind driving us to the station?"

The earlier tension had dissipated from Nathaniel's posture, replaced by his usual cool detachment. He cracked the window slightly, allowing the evening breeze to filter in, then smoothly pulled away from the curb.

"Mr. Falcon, can you believe Daphne actually dropped the charges? She had Gabrielle released. Aren't you shocked?"

Rosalind's tone carried an unmistakable edge of resentment toward Nathaniel.

His expression remained unreadable, though a flicker of surprise crossed his features.

Daphne had changed her mind?

Rosalind smirked triumphantly. "It was all Harrison's doing. Before coming to Falcon Enterprises to see you, she sent Daphne one text. That single message terrified Daphne so much she immediately withdrew her complaint."

"A text?" Nathaniel's gaze found Harrison's reflection in the rearview mirror. "What did it say?"

Harrison held his stare. "'Mr. Falcon ordered me to beg him personally.'"

[Mr. Falcon ordered me to beg him personally.]

Those eight words conveyed everything. Daphne would have understood their full implications instantly.

Nathaniel's lips curved in reluctant amusement. So Harrison's entire visit had been theater for Daphne's benefit. No wonder she'd dragged her feet at every turn—she'd been buying time.

This woman!

"Mr. Falcon, isn't Harrison brilliant?" Rosalind beamed with pride.

A low chuckle rumbled from Nathaniel's chest. He'd become an unwitting pawn in her game.

She'd turned the tables masterfully, using him to go from defense to offense. His gaze flicked to Harrison again, casual yet intense. "Quite."

The single word carried neither praise nor censure, landing somewhere between acknowledgment and teasing.

Harrison met his gaze unflinchingly, her lips curving in a playful smile. "I'll take that as a compliment, Mr. Falcon."

Thirty minutes later, the Rolls-Royce glided to a stop outside the police station. Harrison and Rosalind hurried inside to collect Gabrielle.