Chapter 74

Nathaniel chuckled awkwardly. "Mr. Falcon, hello. I never imagined Harrison would marry so well. Seeing you two together, such a perfect match, I can finally rest easy. I should be going now."

Eleanor quickly intervened. "Stay for dinner, Vincent. You've traveled so far, and I've already instructed the staff to prepare a meal. It'll be lovely to have a family gathering."

Nathaniel's piercing gaze met Vincent's. "Stay."

Both men extended the invitation.

Vincent smiled nervously. "Well, if you insist-"

Harrison's icy voice sliced through the air. "He won't be staying."

Vincent froze mid-sentence, his eyes snapping to her.

She met his stare without flinching. "You just got released. Don't come back to Rosewood Manor again."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.

Eleanor gasped. "Wait... prison?"

Harrison's face remained impassive. "Ten years."

Eleanor turned to Vincent. "What happened?"

Vincent smirked, shifting his gaze to Harrison. "Ask her. She knows better than anyone."

He was testing her - would she reveal his secret?

Harrison stayed silent.

Eleanor attempted to diffuse the tension. "Anyone who raised such an extraordinary daughter can't be all bad. People deserve second chances."

Seeing Harrison's silence, Vincent's smirk widened. He thought he'd won. "I'll skip dinner. But Mr. Falcon, may I speak with you privately?"

Harrison opened her mouth, but Nathaniel gently squeezed her shoulder. "Of course. My study."

Vincent followed Nathaniel into the luxurious study, his eyes greedily taking in the tasteful decor - the rich mahogany, the understated elegance that screamed wealth. Every detail fueled his envy.

One thought consumed him: during his decade behind bars, Harrison had never left his mind.

She'd taken his eye and his freedom. Now she lived in this palace? Married to this man?

He wouldn't let her forget him.

Vincent turned to Nathaniel. "Mr. Falcon, Harrison grew up in the countryside with little education. She's... fortunate to have married into your family."

Nathaniel's gaze sharpened. A ghost of a smile touched his lips. "You're mistaken. She's exceptional."

Vincent blinked, caught off guard.

Nathaniel's stare became unnervingly intense. "Was that all?"

Vincent squirmed under the scrutiny. The man's gaze felt like an X-ray.

He forced a laugh. "Well... I'm recently released and struggling financially. As Harrison's foster father, perhaps you could..."

Nathaniel's expression didn't change. "You need money?"

Vincent swallowed his pride. Greed won. "Yes. Surely helping family isn't too much to ask?"

Nathaniel leaned back in his leather chair. "Name your price."