Chapter 512: Don't Want to Lie
Suddenly, Adeline felt a tightness in her chest.
Maybe it was because she knew exactly what it was like for Alondra to miss her mother.
Adeline sighed softly, gently tucked the blanket around Alondra, and tiptoed out of the guest room.
Just as she quietly closed the door behind her, something flashed across Adeline's mind.
Something wasn't right.
When she'd been chatting with Alondra earlier, the little girl had mentioned Britney a few times.
She'd said how much she wanted to see Britney, even just to talk to her for a bit.
But ever since Britney supposedly went back to Yewhaina, she hadn't called once.
Alondra didn't even know her mother's phone number, and she was too scared to ask Lorenzo or Edward.
Now, thinking about those little comments, Adeline suddenly felt uneasy.
Sure, Britney was manipulative, vain, and even willing to use her own daughter as a pawn over and over again.
But to say she didn't love her child at all? That wasn't possible.
They were living in different countries now.
Could Britney really not miss Alondra?
How could she not call her own daughter, not even once?
Lorenzo let Alondra stay in contact with Edward; there was no reason he'd stop her from talking to Britney.
But for some reason, Britney hadn't reached out at all.
It was almost as if she'd just vanished from the face of the earth.
The second that thought took shape in her mind, Adeline felt a cold chill run down her spine.
She thought, "That couldn't be. Edward said Britney went back to Yewhaina, didn't he?
Wait a second..."
The only person who'd actually said Britney left for Yewhaina was Edward.
It meant that no one else had actually seen
Britney get on a plane. No one saw her leave for Yewhaina.
So was Edward telling the truth?
Adeline shivered, rubbing her arms to ward off the goosebumps.
She went straight to the living room, sat down on the sofa, picked up her phone, and sent out a message.
She needed someone to check every flight from Orianto to Yewhaina in the last few weeks to see if there was ever a passenger named Britney on board.
The dinner finally ended, and a group of middle-aged men were practically falling over themselves to escort Harrison out of the restaurant.
The man at the front bowed and scraped, saying, "Mr. Thomson, it's an honor to work with the Thomson Group. We're really looking forward to this partnership."
Harrison's lips curved into a cold, distant smile.
He didn't say a word.
The man felt a ripple of anxiety. He wondered if he had said something wrong or if Harrison had known something.
Just as he was about to fish for more information, Harrison finally spoke, his voice empty of emotion. "Yes. Let's hope it goes well."
The man let out a long breath, forced another round of polite chatter, and then watched Harrison get in his car.
As soon as the door closed, Harrison's face darkened.
Even the driver felt the chill, quietly turning up the heat as he started the engine and drove toward Shurford Residence.
Harrison pulled out his phone.
Since Adeline had texted him about Alondra, she another word, not even a call.
He thought, "This heartless little woman. Didn't she care about me at all?"
Harrison worried she might already be asleep, so instead of calling, he just sent her a message, "Are you asleep?"
Adeline replied almost immediately: "Not yet. Did your dinner just end?"
Harrison grumbled, "You're still up and you didn't even ask how I was doing?"
"Come on, l've been looking after our little sister all night, haven't I?"
The way she said "our" instantly brightened
Harrison's mood.
"Alondra asleep?"
"Yeah. Are you on your way home?"
"Yes. On my way."
"Good. There's something I want to talk to you about when you get here."
If she wanted to say it in person, it must be
important, so Harrison didn't ask further.
When he got home, Adeline was already waiting for him, and before she could say a word, Harrison wrapped her in his arms and kissed her hard.
"Missed me at all tonight?"
Adeline laughed, pushing him away. "It's only been a few hours. What's there to miss?"
She'd spent all evening with Alondra, and after that, her mind had been too busy for Harrison.
Harrison complained, "Can't you even pretend to miss me?"
"I don't want to lie to the person I love."
Adeline knew exactly how to handle him.
Just one line and Harrison was completely won over.
He leaned in for another kiss, but Adeline quickly covered his mouth. "Come here, I have something to tell you."
"Let's talk in the shower." Harrison grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the bathroom. "We can talk while we bathe."
Adeline sighed, but she gave in, following him inside. But tonight, Harrison really did behave himself. He showered and quietly listened while Adeline recounted everything Alondra had told her.
After she finished, Adeline hesitated and then said, "And there's something about Britney that's bothering me."
Harrison was silent for a long moment. "You think Britney never went back to Yewhaina?"
Adeline nodded.
They both fell quiet. The only sound in the bathroom was the steady stream of water.
After a while, Adeline slipped her arms around Harrison.
He hugged her back, holding her tight.
After their shower, as Harrison was toweling off Adeline's hair, he said, "Actually, there's something I haven't told you either."
"What is it?" she asked.
Harrison bent down and whispered a few words in her ear.
Then he added, "I didn't mean to hide it from you. I just wasn't sure before, and I didn't want you to worry."
Adeline nodded. "I get it."
She knew he was only trying to protect her, and she couldn't be mad that he didn't tell her the first moment he found out.
"So what are you going to do now?" Adeline asked.
"Turn his own tricks against him."
It wasn't a surprise.
But this time, Adeline's expression softened.
She squeezed his hand, her eyes full of concern.
"I'm sorry you have to go through all this."
Harrison was silent for a moment and then said, "If I had a choice, I wouldn't let it get this far. But he's not giving me a choice."
"I see."
After a while, Adeline said quietly, "Be careful."
"Don't worry." Harrison smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Nothing's going to happen to me."
Adeline immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her head up to kiss him.
Harrison didn't waste the invitation. He deepened the kiss.
"I haven't dried my hair yet."
"Then let me finish drying it quickly."
The next morning, Alondra joined Harrison and Adeline for breakfast.
She was a little nervous, her head bowed over her oatmeal, not even daring to look up.
She really liked Adeline, and she liked Harrison as well, but somehow he still made her nervous.
Harrison noticed.
He slid a plate of eggs over to her and said lightly, "Don't just eat oatmeal."
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