Chapter 517: You're Not Even on My Side.
Honestly, even if Anna hadn't said anything, everyone in the room understood what was up.
If Harrison hadn't officially made their relationship public, no one would dare gossip.
The music started up again, but the vibe was totally off. No one felt like singing or rolling dice, especially Triston, who sat frozen on the couch, looking both stunned and a little deflated.
Sure, he'd seen the rumors online about Harrison and Adeline before.
But he'd always cared more about Adeline's professional skills and work ethic, so the gossip was just background noise.
But now, seeing Adeline actually carried out of the room by Harrison, he couldn't help but feel a little crushed.
After all, Adeline was beautiful, competent, and magnetic. Anyone would be at least a little attracted to her.
So, besides admiration, of course there had always been a little crush.
Maybe, somewhere in the back of his mind, he'd imagined what it'd be like to be with her.
But now, watching her swept away by another man-by Harrison, no less-and hearing from the others what kind of relationship she and Harrison really had, the disappointment was inevitable.
How could he possibly compete with someone like Harrison?
Just the idea of comparing himself to Harrison made him break into a cold sweat.
Triston thought, "Maybe some people are just meant to admire from afar."
Harrison carried Adeline out of the KTV and into the car.
Even in her tipsy daze, Adeline knew it was him holding her, so she relaxed completely and fell fast asleep.
Harrison gazed down at Adeline snuggled in his arms, unable to resist giving her cheek a gentle squeeze.
"I leave you alone for a minute and you go and drink yourself under the table," he muttered with helpless affection. "And you even pass out on the couch."
The truth was, she only dozed off because he'd messaged her that he was coming to pick her up.
Otherwise, would’ve forced herself to stay
But now she was out like a light, missing all his teasing.
Her lips, already flushed from the wine, parted ever so slightly, and the sight sent a rush of heat through Harrison. He couldn't help but lean in and steal a kiss.
Luckily, the divider between the driver and passengers had already gone up as soon as they got in.
The driver, oblivious, focused on the road up front, having no idea what was happening in the back seat.
Harrison kept his kisses gentle, not wanting to wake her, though he knew with the way she was sleeping, it would take a lot more than that. Still, he just couldn't help himself.
After a while, he forced himself to pull away, and seeing how flushed her lips had become, he finally gave a satisfied little smirk.
The car pulled up at ford Residence, and the
driver hurried to operane door, keeping his eyes firmly on the ground.
Harrison carried Adeline inside, where he found Sam and Joyce sprawled on the sofa, bored, watching a movie.
"What happened to Adeline?" Joyce jumped up from the couch.
"Nothing serious," Harrison said, "She just had a bit too much to drink."
Joyce breathed a sigh of relief.
After Harrison tucked Adeline into bed and stepped out, Sam started complaining.
"What took you so long? I'm falling asleep out here."
"Where's Alondra?"
"She's asleep."
"Everything goes smoothly today?"
"What, you think there'd be trouble with me and Joyce here?" Sam said.
Harrison said, "If it was just Miss Monroe, I'd be totally at ease, but with you around, that's another story."
"Now, hang on a second," Sam protested, "How come you make me sound so unreliable?"
Harrison didn't answer, just shot him a look that said, "You know what I mean."
Sam, feeling even more wronged, turned to Joyce for backup.
"He's bullying me."
Joyce shrugged. "Honestly? MI think Mr.
Thomson's got a point. Didn't you have Alondra playing video games all day?"
The poor girl was so into the games that she barely ate.
If she hadn't been falling asleep on her feet, they'd probably still be playing now.
Sam rubbed his nose, a little guilty.
"You're not even on my side?"
"I'm just standing on the side of reason," Joyce said with a laugh.
Sam grumbled for a while longer, but eventually, Joyce coaxed him away.
Once they were gone, Harrison quietly opened the guestroom door.
The room was dark, lit only s a sliver of moonlight from the window. He could see Alondra sleeping soundly, a faint smile still on her lips.
She must have had a really fun day with Sam.
As he remembered what Adeline had said earlier.
Harrison's expression darkened.
He gently closed the door and headed to the kitchen for a soda.
As he popped open the can, his phone buzzed with a new message from Rowen.
"Britney never returned to their old place in
Yewhaina."
Harrison stared at the screen, face blank, and took several long gulps of Coke before replying, "Keep digging. See if she's somewhere else in Yewhaina."
"Yes, sir."
Harrison set the soda aside. Suddenly, he didn't feel like drinking anymore.
His grip on the can tightened, and then another call came in.
It was Myra.
He picked up. "Mom."
Myra's voice sounded light and cheerful:
"Harrison, how are things? How's Adeline doing?"
She hadn't spoken to him in a few days, and tonight she just suddenly thought to check in.
"We're both good," he replied.
But Myra could tell right away that something off.
"What's wrong?" she pressed, "Something happened?"
"Nothing," Harrison said.
"You sure? You sound different. If something's up, you know you can tell me."
After a pause, Harrison asked, "Mom, has he contacted you lately?"
He didn't say who, but Myra immediately understood.
"No," she said, "Last time he came looking for me, he got turned away at the door. After that just called once, but I didn't pick up, so he never tried again."
"Good," Harrison said. "Don't ever talk to him again, and don't let him see you."
"I know, Harrison, but why are you bringing this up again all of a sudden?"
Avoiding Edward had always been their unspoken agreement, but Harrison's sudden
unspuKen agreement, but namsuns suuuen
mention tonight made Myra worry.
Harrison took a deep breath.
"Mom... Britney might never have left for Yewhaina."
Myra fell silent.
After a long moment, she finally said,
"Didn't Edward say she went back to Yewhaina?"
Harrison didn't respond.
Myra went on, "I know what you're thinking, but we don't have proof yet. Maybe Edward hid her somewhere in Orianto, planning to wait for the right time to beg your grandfather to bring her into the Thomson family."
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