Chapter 342

"I spotted some medicinal plants outside. I'll collect them while you rest here," Harrison said, securing the medical supplies before stepping out.

She had surveyed the terrain upon arrival. These herbs could serve her purpose perfectly - something to erase Adrian's memory of recent events.

Harrison knelt to harvest the plants when footsteps crunched behind her. Turning, she found Sebastian trailing her.

He had followed.

This surprised her. "Why are you shadowing me? You're badly injured. Go back."

Sebastian stood tall, gazing down at Harrison's delicate features. Even in peasant garb, her beauty shone through. "I'm staying. There might be another Adrian lurking."

A genuine smile curved Harrison's lips. "I'm divorced from Nathaniel now. Even if something happens with another man, it's not infidelity. No need to chaperone me."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "This isn't about Nathaniel."

Harrison studied Sebastian's handsome face. As the Gondale heir, he wielded power in Willowbrook, accustomed to luxury. Now though - injured leg, bandaged arm, pale complexion - his aristocratic looks remained striking.

Unlike Nathaniel's refined elegance, Sebastian possessed boyish charm straight from comic books.

Her confusion deepened. If not Nathaniel's influence, then why?

"Wait... Do you actually care about me?"

Sebastian's expression hardened, chin lifting arrogantly. "Don't flatter yourself. Why would I care?"

She arched an eyebrow. "Just joking. I know you despise me. Everyone knows you're obsessed with Isabella."

Silence.

Harrison tucked the herbs away carefully. "But have you considered why explosives were on that yacht? The countdown? Who wanted me dead... No, who wanted us dead?"

Sebastian's fists clenched, unwilling to entertain thoughts about Isabella.

"I'll investigate thoroughly once we return," he muttered.

Harrison didn't push further. Sebastian wasn't foolish; some things were better left unsaid.

He watched her skilled hands work, movements fluid from practice. Curiosity overcame him. "You know medicine?"

Her bone-setting technique had been impressive.

Harrison nodded. "Nathaniel sent me to Willowridge University for medical studies. Forgotten already?"

Sebastian blinked. "Bragging now?"

"How is that bragging?"

She was brilliant, though never vocal about it. That talent had earned her place at Willowridge.

Once, Sebastian had considered pursuing the freshman prodigy. Now he wondered if she'd been laughing at him all along.

This was unprecedented - outshone by a woman.

"Let's head back," Harrison said, herbs collected.

Sebastian followed silently.

Suddenly, Harrison's vision blurred. Her body swayed, then collapsed toward the earth.

"Harrison!"

Sebastian lunged forward, catching her slender waist. Her head rested against his chest.

The unexpected contact froze him.

Only two years separated them in age.