Chapter 99

Nathaniel's perfect features twisted into a frown as he looked up from the documents. His piercing gaze locked onto Dominic. "Where is he?"

"Vincent fled to the Whitmore estate," Dominic answered quickly. "Mr. Blackwood has already gathered thirty-six media outlets from Willowbrook for a press conference. They intend to accuse Mrs. Falcon of mistreating and abandoning her adoptive father."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened, his irritation palpable. What was Sebastian thinking? "Explain this incompetence. You had Vincent detained, yet he escaped?" Seeing his boss's anger, Dominic broke into a cold sweat. "Mr. Falcon, it's—"

"It was my decision," Harrison interjected clearly.

Nathaniel turned sharply toward her. "Yours?"

Harrison nodded. "Yes, I instructed Dominic to let Vincent go intentionally."

Nathaniel's dark eyes deepened with intensity. "Why would you do that? They're preparing to publicly crucify you! That parasite wants to cling to you forever. I'll have my men retrieve Vincent from the Whitmore estate immediately. The press conference will be canceled. This entire mess will disappear as if it never happened. No one will ever know what you wish to keep private."

Harrison understood the extent of Nathaniel's power. He could erase this scandal with a single command.

She had once feared his reaction if he discovered her past with Vincent. Yet now, he showed no judgment—only protection.

He was shielding her from painful wounds too deep to expose, sparing her from society's cruel whispers, guarding her from further harm.

Harrison interrupted him. "Mr. Falcon, your intervention isn't necessary. I'll handle this myself."

Handle it alone? How?

Nathaniel's skepticism showed. "Harrison, what exactly—"

"Mr. Falcon," Harrison cut in with a playful smirk, her eyes twinkling as she winked at him. "You've already saved me once. I'd hate to accumulate more debts."

The air shifted instantly. Harrison remembered exactly how she'd repaid him last night.

Nathaniel's thoughts clearly mirrored hers. He abruptly returned his attention to the documents, his voice icy. "Do as you please."

Harrison observed how he'd reverted to his usual detached demeanor since leaving that hotel. Last night remained their shared secret.

Suddenly, a familiar voice filled the room. "Nathaniel, what's this about a press conference? Why is everyone saying Harrison..."

Alexander had arrived.

The moment Alexander spotted Harrison, his face lit up. "Harrison! What are you doing here?" Harrison smiled and settled onto the sofa. "Alexander, what exactly are people saying about me?"

Alexander sat beside her. "They're calling you a gold-digger who abandoned and abused her adoptive father. Claiming you rejected him because he's from a rural village."

"Alexander, do you believe that?"

Alexander chuckled, shaking his head. "If you were truly materialistic, you'd have accepted my advances by now." He was, after all, extremely wealthy.

Harrison didn't know how to respond.

Nathaniel, seated at his desk, glowered. Were they seriously flirting right in front of him?

"Harrison, where were you last night?" Alexander asked suddenly.

Last night...

Harrison's pulse quickened. "Why do you ask?"

"I called repeatedly but couldn't reach you. Nathaniel's phone was also unavailable." Alexander's suspicious gaze darted between them. "Were you two together last night?"