Chapter 254

Gabrielle gasped. "Wait...what? She's pregnant before marriage? So the baby in Daphne's belly isn't Nathaniel's—it's her boyfriend's?"

Harrison felt something must have happened at the birthday party, but never imagined this scenario.

Daphne had a boyfriend. The child she carried was his.

What did that mean about her relationship with Nathaniel?

A sharp knock echoed at the door.

"Who is it?"

Harrison moved to open it, only to find Nathaniel's imposing figure filling the doorway.

She froze. What was he doing here? This was the girls' dormitory!

Harrison tried to slam the door shut.

Nathaniel's strong arm blocked it effortlessly. His dark eyes burned into hers. "Harrison. We need to talk."

"I have nothing to say to you."

"You don't get a choice."

With one powerful motion, he forced his way inside.

Rosalind immediately stood. "We'll give you privacy."

She wanted to give them space.

But Gabrielle resisted. "I'm not leaving—mmph!"

Rosalind clamped a hand over her mouth and dragged her out. "We won't return tonight," she added before closing the door.

Now they were alone.

Nathaniel loomed over Harrison, his shadow engulfing her. "I never touched Daphne. Not once."

Harrison trembled slightly, meeting his gaze with clear eyes. "You expect me to believe that?"

Daphne having a boyfriend didn't prove she hadn't been with Nathaniel. If he hadn't been involved with her, why invest so much in her career?

Backlit by the window, Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "If I'd slept with her, I'd admit it. I'm not the kind of man who lies about such things."

Harrison fell silent.

His arrogance was infuriating. Yet Nathaniel had never been one to shy from truth.

"Then why—"

"She pretended to be you."

What?

Harrison blinked in shock.

Nathaniel's gaze traced her delicate features, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Harrison, after you left that night, Daphne took your place. When I woke, she was beside me. Claimed we'd been together."

The pieces clicked into place.

That morning, Daphne had deliberately sent Harrison away. The moment she left, Daphne slipped into her place.

An elaborate scheme.

Daphne had played them both. She'd targeted Nathaniel from the start.

"Harrison." Nathaniel stepped closer, his breath warm against her cheek. "Every resource I gave Daphne, every opportunity—it was because I thought she was you."

The air between them crackled with tension.

He'd mistaken Daphne for her.

Harrison turned away, voice icy. "Message received. Now leave."

She was dismissing him.

Nathaniel's lips curved in a dangerous smile. "Just like that? You'd really let me walk away?"