Chapter 368
Frederick and Cassandra were utterly delighted with Dr. Sinclair as their prospective son-in-law.
Penelope's face darkened instantly. She grabbed her phone and dialed Dr. Sinclair's number.
The call connected, but instead of his smooth voice, a mechanical recording played.
"The number you have dialed is no longer in service."
No longer in service?
Penelope's stomach dropped. She redialed immediately.
The same robotic voice repeated the message.
"The number you have dialed is no longer in service."
Fingers trembling, Penelope tried messaging him on WhatsApp. The message wouldn't deliver - only one gray checkmark appeared instead of two.
Dr. Sinclair had blocked her.
Disconnected number. Blocked on messaging apps. The man who'd whispered sweet nothings yesterday had vanished without a trace.
Her phone clattered onto the plush carpet. Penelope collapsed beside it like a marionette with cut strings.
"Penelope! What's wrong?"
"Why are you on the floor? Get up!"
Frederick and Cassandra rushed to help, only to find her skin icy and limbs shaking violently.
Meanwhile, Harrison and Oliver had just stepped outside. Oliver chuckled darkly.
"Harrison, the Whitmores are truly delusional! Imagining they could force Dr. Sinclair to marry into their family? Ridiculous!"
Harrison arched one perfect eyebrow. "They've been living in fantasyland. I warned them, but they called it jealousy. If they've been swindled out of money or dignity, that's their own doing."
Oliver grinned. "Wait until they discover Dr. Sinclair's true identity. That'll be priceless."
Harrison's lips curved slightly. Just then, her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp notification from Rosalind.
[Harrison, Professor Whitmore invited us to dinner tonight.]
Alistair?
Harrison had been so preoccupied lately, she'd nearly forgotten about her favorite student.
She typed back, [Fine, we'll go together.]
Rosalind replied instantly, [I have an errand off-campus. Can you wait in our dorm? I'll return soon.]
Harrison smirked. [Important business? Meeting Everett, the campus heartthrob?]
Rosalind sent an indignant emoji. [Stop teasing or I'll block you!]
Harrison ended the chat. Despite her busy schedule, she knew Rosalind had been pursuing Everett, who remained frustratingly elusive.
"I need to go to Willowridge University," Harrison told Oliver.
"I'll drive you."
They climbed into the luxury sedan - Oliver behind the wheel, Harrison in the passenger seat.
Her phone buzzed again.
A message from Nathaniel.
He'd forced her to add him on social media during their Wintervale trip, and now he was prying.
Harrison opened the message.
[Is Oliver really your boyfriend?]
Demanding confirmation about Oliver's status.
She didn't reply.
Another message arrived. [How did you two meet?]
Nathaniel had razor-sharp instincts and was probing their connection.
Harrison remained silent.
His next message vibrated with barely restrained fury.
[Answer me!]