Love at First Sight? Mr. Harrison Has Been Scheming All Along-Chapter 245: The Person Who Came In With the Waiter Was Actually Sean Harrison
Rory Linden didn’t want to tell Miles Harrison that she’d had a child out of wedlock.
She saw him glance at her left hand before she said, "I have surgery almost every day, so I don’t wear my wedding ring. But everyone at the hospital knows I have a son who’s already in kindergarten."
It was Rory’s way of telling him that her son was a fact of her life.
Miles Harrison had clearly never even considered this possibility.
Before he could speak, the female patient who had come with him followed them out. She glanced at Rory Linden before asking, "President Harrison, the doctor asked if I should be admitted..."
"Go ahead and stay."
"Don’t stay."
Rory Linden and Miles Harrison spoke almost in unison.
Rory looked at the patient and said, "Our hospital’s facilities are admittedly quite basic. Judging by your clothes and accessories, everything you use is quite expensive. You probably wouldn’t be comfortable staying here. If you have a membership at a private hospital, you can transfer directly."
"I... I don’t." The patient looked at Miles Harrison. "President Harrison, what do you think? I’ll do whatever you say."
Her voice was delicate and sweet, and combined with her illness, she looked as fragile as a willow in the wind, as if she might collapse into his arms at any moment.
She bore a slight resemblance to how Lucy Shaw had been back then.
’Miles must be into her,’ Rory thought.
Rory suggested again in earnest, "This condition isn’t that urgent. You can be admitted for treatment tomorrow or the day after."
Miles Harrison glanced at Rory Linden, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alright, I’ll take her to another hospital then."
"Okay. I’ll be going now."
Rory turned and walked away.
She thought that would be the end of it, but just as she was about to reach the inpatient wing...
"Rory, Rory." Miles had caught up to her. "You told me last time that if we met again, you’d give me your contact information."
"..."
Rory turned to look at the man behind her, an expression of undisguised exasperation on her face.
But she had made a promise, and she had to keep it.
In the end, she gave her phone number to Miles Harrison.
Only after he’d called her number from his phone did she say, "I’m very busy with work. And I’m already married. Don’t contact me unless it’s important."
"Okay, I know."
Miles Harrison readily agreed at the time.
「The next day.」
In the morning, after finishing her rounds and handing off her work, Rory Linden was just walking into the underground parking garage when she received a call from Evelyn Irving.
She didn’t have Evelyn Irving’s number saved on this phone.
But after so many years and so much contact between them, the number was deeply ingrained in her memory.
Rory took a deep breath before answering the call. "Auntie Irving."
"Rory, so you knew it was me." Evelyn Irving asked first, "I’m not disturbing you by calling now, am I?"
"Auntie Irving, I just got off work. Is there something you need?"
Rory walked to her car, opened the door, and got in.
"Miles just told me he saw you last night. He said you’re not only married, but you even have a son in kindergarten."
Evelyn Irving started with some pleasantries.
After getting an affirmative answer from the young woman, she sighed deeply.
"When I first heard it from him, I was still thinking that now that he’s earning his own money and has matured quite a bit, maybe you two could rekindle your old flame. I never expected..."
"Auntie Irving, let’s not talk about the past. Was there something specific you called me about?"
Rory had just come off a night shift and was completely exhausted. She was in no mood to reminisce with her.
Only then did Evelyn Irving state her purpose. "It’s been so long. I was wondering when you might be free. We should have a meal together."
"..."
Rory wasn’t surprised at all.
She had already thought it through. "How about tonight? I can go home and rest for a bit this afternoon, then I’ll be free to have dinner with you."
Evelyn Irving immediately asked, "Then... should we invite your husband along, too? We watched you grow up, so we’re practically your family."
"He’s rather busy with work."
Rory made up a random excuse to refuse.
She wasn’t about to reveal to anyone that she’d had a child out of wedlock.
It wasn’t that she was afraid of being looked down upon, but she feared people might treat Leo with malice.
Evelyn Irving then quickly asked, "Well, what about bringing your son?"
Rory refused again. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
Only then did Evelyn Irving let it go.
The two of them settled on a time and place for dinner that evening over the phone.
Perhaps wanting to show off her financial status, she had chosen Epoch Restaurant, a newly opened high-end private kitchen in Veridia.
Rory had only heard of this restaurant from Sherry Walsh before.
Her review of the place was: "They might as well just rob you, but they throw a few dishes in to make it look good."
Since Rory was the one being invited, there was no need for her to refuse.
She went home and caught a few hours of sleep, then got up, showered, and changed her clothes.
To prevent Evelyn Irving and Miles Harrison from doubting her, she once again put on the fake ring she had bought before.
She changed her phone’s wallpaper from a picture of Leo as a baby to a photo of them at the amusement park, taken by Ryan Sterling.
Once everything was in order, she headed out.
Epoch Restaurant was designed in a completely traditional, ancient style.
The moment Rory Linden walked through the main entrance and saw the waitstaff in their high-waisted ruqun dresses, she felt as if she had traveled back in time.
Miles Harrison was waiting for her at the door.
"Rory." Miles Harrison went up to her, glancing behind her. "Did your husband not come with you?"
"He’s busy with work."
Rory repeated the same excuse she’d given earlier.
Miles Harrison hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze dropping to the plain band on the ring finger of her left hand. "Is that your wedding ring?"
"Yes."
Rory lifted her hand, showing it to him openly.
Miles Harrison had been born into wealth; he’d only ever eaten and used the very best.
Even during his most difficult years abroad, he had his family’s help, so he had never truly suffered.
He could tell at a glance that the wedding ring on Rory’s hand was poorly made. Forget designer brands—it didn’t even look like it was made of gold or platinum.
Miles Harrison frowned. He wanted to say something, but he held it back for the time being.
The two of them walked toward the private room together, neither noticing that the person who had just entered from outside was an acquaintance of theirs.
Inside the private room, Evelyn Irving had already arrived.
The woman wore a deep purple dress, exuding an air of nobility and elegance. She had hardly changed at all in the past few years.
"Rory!"
Evelyn Irving stood up, walked over, and took Rory’s hands, studying her closely. "After all these years, how are you still so thin? Is your work too demanding?"
"It’s fine," Rory replied.
Evelyn Irving led her to a seat at the table, intending to make some more small talk.
Rory placed her phone on the table.
The screen lit up, and her wallpaper—a picture of her and her son—immediately caught Evelyn Irving’s attention.
"Is this your son?"
Evelyn Irving leaned in for a closer look.
Rory generously unlocked her phone and showed the wallpaper to Evelyn Irving.
In the photo, mother and son were smiling happily. Leo Linden was wearing a pair of cartoon glasses bought at an amusement park, which covered almost half his face, making it impossible to see his features clearly.
One could only see that the boy’s eyes had pupils as dark and pure as Tahitian pearls.
Miles Harrison came closer to look as well.
Although the little boy’s features weren’t clear in the photo, his face shape and profile immediately brought Rory Linden to mind.
And looking at the angle from which it was shot...
’The child’s father must have taken it for them.’
Only then was Miles Harrison forced to accept the fact that Rory Linden was truly married.
Ever since he found out Rory and his uncle weren’t together, he had always thought that perhaps there was still a chance for them...
Now, the photo before him had completely shattered that last bit of false hope.
Miles Harrison forced a smile and returned to his seat.
"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK."
There was a knock on the door.
A waiter was already present in the private room.
As the knocking sounded, all three of them turned to look at the door.
The person who followed the waiter in was, surprisingly...
Sean Harrison!
