Chapter 36

Harrison spotted Arabella approaching.

Nathaniel and Isabella noticed her too. Isabella's eyes widened in shock. "Harrison, what are you doing here?"

Arabella gave Harrison a look dripping with contempt. "Harrison, you'll regret what you did with Alexander last night! Get out now. We're all waiting for Dr. Sinclair, and we certainly don't have time for your nonsense!"

Nathaniel's sharp gaze landed on Harrison, his dark brows drawing together slightly. Though silent, his entire demeanor radiated disapproval. He clearly thought she was here to stir up trouble.

Harrison remained unbothered. Their reactions amused her. She flashed them a playful grin, winking at Nathaniel before saying, "I know you're waiting for Dr. Sinclair."

Isabella snapped, "Then why are you still standing there?"

Harrison straightened her posture, radiating confidence before the trio. "Actually, I'm the one you've all been waiting for-"

Before she could finish, another voice interrupted. "Harrison, what are you doing here?"

Harrison turned to see Penelope Whitmore.

Harrison's grandmother, Margaret Whitmore, had three sons - Benjamin, Theodore, and Frederick Whitmore. Penelope was Frederick's daughter.

Penelope was exceptionally accomplished - her academic credentials surpassed even Isabella's. Holding a medical doctorate, she'd spent three years abroad and assisted in groundbreaking surgeries. More ambitious and self-assured than Isabella, she was the golden child of the Whitmore family.

Both Isabella and Penelope shared one thing in common - their utter disdain for Harrison.

Isabella arched an eyebrow. "Penelope, what brings you here?"

Penelope approached Nathaniel with confident strides, offering him a polished smile. "Mr. Falcon, good morning. Dr. Sinclair sent me."

Harrison blinked. 'I sent her?'

"I'm Dr. Sinclair's assistant, here to assist with Isabella's cardiac treatment," Penelope continued.

Suddenly Harrison remembered - Oliver had mentioned this last night. He'd told her about an eager assistant wanting experience. Now it made sense - that assistant was Penelope.

What a twisted coincidence.

When Isabella heard Penelope was Dr. Sinclair's assistant, her lips curved into a smug smile. "Penelope, it's been three years. I never imagined you'd become Dr. Sinclair's assistant upon your return."

Arabella, ever the gossip, turned to Penelope. "Penelope, is Dr. Sinclair male or female? What do they look like? I'm dying to know!"

Penelope's face lit up with reverence. "Dr. Sinclair is a medical legend we all admire. For years, I've worked tirelessly to earn this position as the doctor's assistant. Yet I still haven't had the privilege of meeting them in person."

Arabella gasped dramatically. "Penelope, that's incredible! The Whitmore daughters are truly exceptional, except..." She shot Harrison a scathing look. "Harrison, how can you be such a disgrace? You're a Whitmore too, yet the gap between you, Penelope and me is astronomical." Arabella spread her arms wide for emphasis.

Penelope regarded Harrison with icy detachment. "Harrison, I've heard about your situation. You should divorce Mr. Falcon and return to the countryside. Stop humiliating the Whitmore name."

Isabella chuckled. "Penelope, Harrison dropped out at sixteen. What exactly do you expect her to do?"

Harrison had no rebuttal.

Nathaniel, visibly impatient, glanced at Penelope. "Where's the doctor? Dr. Sinclair should have arrived by now. Our appointment was for 9 AM sharp."