Love at First Sight? Mr. Harrison Has Been Scheming All Along-Chapter 39: He Had Yearned for This Intimacy for Too Long
Sean Harrison knew that given their current relationship, he was crossing a line.
But he had craved this intimacy for so long that now, with even the slightest bit of progress, he found it difficult to suppress the fluttering in his chest.
Even a fleeting moment of physical closeness brought a temporary sense of fulfillment.
A ringing phone shattered the silence in the car.
By then, Sean Harrison had already pulled his hand back.
Rory Linden woke up and realized she was leaning on his shoulder. She froze in embarrassment for a second before resuming her search for her phone.
The call was from Sherry Walsh.
The moment she answered, Sherry Walsh’s voice burst from the speaker. "Babe, I have amazing news! My very first case, the one that wrapped up two weeks ago—my client just told me she got the written judgment. We won!!"
"Congratulations."
Rory Linden rubbed her eyes, her voice still heavy with sleep.
"Were you sleeping? Did you have the night shift yesterday? Sorry, sorry, I’m just so excited." Sherry Walsh apologized before continuing, "When are you free? I’m treating you to a feast. We have to celebrate!"
"Let’s do it today. I just finished my night shift. I’ll take a nap, so I’ll be fine for dinner tonight."
Rory Linden also wanted to have dinner with Sherry Walsh.
The day after tomorrow, she had to accompany Sean Harrison to an engagement party.
This was her first time attending such a large-scale event, and she had absolutely no experience with them.
She would certainly ask Sean Harrison for some pointers beforehand, but she also wanted to consult Sherry Walsh.
She wanted to avoid embarrassing him due to her own ignorance.
If she needed anything, she would still have all of tomorrow to prepare.
Once the call ended, Sean Harrison asked, "Going out for dinner tonight? I can have my driver take you. Then, give me a call when you’re finished. I’ll head over if I’m free."
The man’s tone was casual and gentle.
It was just like how a boyfriend would react upon learning his girlfriend was going out to eat with a friend.
But Rory Linden quickly shook her head. "No, that’s okay. I can get there on my own, and my friend can just give me a ride back."
Sean Harrison chuckled. "Don’t be in such a hurry to turn me down. It’s not like I’m certain to be free anyway."
"Oh, okay."
Rory Linden touched her ear, her tone a little awkward.
’So he was just being polite, and I actually took him seriously.’
’Then again...’
’A man with his status is incredibly busy. Of course he wouldn’t have time.’
-
Rory Linden went home and napped. When she headed out at 5:30 p.m., she walked right into the Friday evening rush hour.
While there wasn’t much traffic right outside their complex, the map showed that all the roads leading to the downtown shopping districts were congested.
After a moment of deliberation, Rory Linden opted for the subway—an economical and environmentally friendly choice.
The two had arranged to meet at a Thai restaurant.
Rory Linden had just stepped into the private room they had booked.
Sherry Walsh immediately rushed over, grabbing her hand and exclaiming, "Rory! You won’t believe it. When my client got the verdict, I was honestly just as thrilled as she was. I was on the verge of tears."
"So in the end, she wasn’t held responsible for her ex-husband’s debts, right?"
Rory Linden asked about the point she was most concerned about.
"Of course not! A contact my dad set me up with found out that two years ago, that guy actually joined a lawyer’s livestream and asked how he could make his wife take on his debts during a divorce!" Sherry Walsh said this, grinding her teeth in frustration. "Can you believe what a scumbag he is? Trying to make his wife pay for his own gambling debts!"
Sherry Walsh was a novice matrimonial lawyer.
After finishing her master’s degree, she had gotten into a major law firm with her father’s help and had soon taken on a divorce case.
The ex-husband had accumulated massive gambling debts. Before the divorce, he had successively transferred large sums of money to his wife, who was Sherry Walsh’s client.
At the time, he’d put a nice spin on it, calling it a bonus to reward her for the hardship of raising their child and caring for his parents.
But when they were filing for divorce, he used those transfers as evidence to try and force his wife to help pay off his gambling debts.
The divorce case dragged on for a full two years.
Today, the verdict had finally been delivered.
Although Rory Linden had never met Sherry Walsh’s client, she was genuinely happy for her.
After gushing about all her good news, Sherry Walsh finally asked Rory, "By the way, how’s that rental of yours? I looked up the complex later, and the security there is seriously terrible. If you don’t feel comfortable, you can always move back in with me."
Rory Linden pressed her lips together and didn’t answer right away.
Sherry Walsh immediately sensed something was off. "What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you actually ran into a creep, did you? I told you that place was bad news!"
"I... I’ve moved." Rory Linden looked at Sherry Walsh, organizing her thoughts before she said, "I’m living with Sean Harrison now."
"Who?!"
"Sean Harrison. Miles Harrison’s uncle..."
As Sherry Walsh stared in shock, Rory Linden briefly recounted the recent events.
Throughout the entire story, Sherry Walsh’s expression didn’t change.
Pure shock from start to finish!
She felt like she was listening to a fantasy tale.
After Rory finished recounting what had happened in Miles Harrison’s hospital room that morning, Sherry finally asked her question: "Is it possible... that Sean Harrison actually likes you?"
"Impossible."
Rory Linden blurted it out.
Without even a second of hesitation.
She had never been one to indulge in unrealistic fantasies.
Besides, there was never any catalyst for Sean Harrison to develop feelings for her.
A waiter came over with a bowl of tom yum soup.
Rory Linden picked up Sherry Walsh’s bowl first and ladled some soup for her.
"Thanks." Sherry rested her chin in her hand, her expression puzzled. "But this all sounds so illogical. Sean Harrison is basically the most sought-after bachelor in all of Veridia, right? My dad says tons of powerful people want to get on his good side. They’ve tried introducing him to their daughters, to celebrities, to models—they’ve tried every type imaginable, but he always acts like he has zero interest in women."
"He’s in love with someone," Rory Linden said, resolving Sherry Walsh’s confusion.
"Oh, right, you did say that." Sherry’s curiosity was piqued again. "Did he tell you that himself?"
"No, I overheard him talking to Auntie Irving."
Even now, Rory Linden clearly remembered what she had overheard in Sean Harrison’s room that day.
The man used to like a girl with the surname Liu.
For some unknown reason, the two of them couldn’t be together.
As for Sean Harrison later saying he had a girl he liked...
Rory Linden guessed...
...it was probably just an excuse he used to brush off Evelyn Irving.
Sherry Walsh sipped her soup, her eyes scanning Rory as an idea took shape. "Babe, with looks like yours, why don’t you try... seducing Sean Harrison? I mean, you’re living together anyway. You could pretend to walk into the wrong room wearing some sexy pajamas, that kind of thing?"
"I couldn’t do something like that even if you killed me."
Rory Linden shook her head frantically.
She couldn’t do it, and she would never even try.
After dinner, the two women went shopping.
Around 9:30 that night, Sean Harrison called. He mentioned that his car was parked near the street where their restaurant was and asked if they were done with dinner.
"We’re out shopping," Rory Linden said, glancing at Sherry Walsh. "I, uh, I can get home by myself later."
Sherry Walsh immediately caught on and yelled into the phone, "Sean Harrison, right? Rory and I will be waiting for you at the entrance to Starlight Plaza! You can come pick her up."
Sean Harrison’s voice, clearly amused, came through the phone. "Please thank that friend of yours for me."
By the time the two women walked to the mall’s entrance, the familiar luxury Bentley was already parked on the street outside Starlight Plaza.
Sean Harrison got out of the car.
The evening darkness and the mall’s lights mingled on his ink-black suit, accentuating his air of noble mystery.
Sherry Walsh walked over with Rory Linden.
As soon as they reached the car, Sherry spoke up. "Mr. Harrison, you’re handsome and successful. You don’t have to be so thoughtful for a fake relationship with our Rory. What happens if she catches real feelings and you can’t take responsibility?"
