Love at First Sight? Mr. Harrison Has Been Scheming All Along-Chapter 43: Kneeing the Man

Evelyn Irving’s eyes landed on her face, first with a bit of surprise, before her expression turned deeply uncomfortable.

She walked over to Rory Linden, struggling to even force a smile. She managed to say, "Rory, I heard from Miles that you were working today and couldn’t make it. It’s a bit of a surprise to see you."

Before Rory Linden could say a word, Sean Harrison spoke first. "I insisted Rory accompany me. If you must blame someone, then blame me."

His expression was gentle, and his words were clearly meant to defend Rory Linden.

Sean Harrison rarely returned to the Harrington Family home. At most public events, he was always surrounded by a crowd, his expression betraying no particular closeness to anyone.

But his attitude toward Rory Linden right now, conveyed in just a single sentence, was clearly different.

At least...

It formed a stark contrast to how Miles Harrison treated her.

"I was just asking." Evelyn Irving forced a smile as she sized up Rory Linden. "It’s true that clothes make the woman. Rory, you look truly beautiful today."

Sean Harrison said, "Rory has always been beautiful. These clothes and accessories are merely an enhancement."

The two went back and forth.

The conversation was about Rory Linden, yet Sean Harrison handled all the responses.

Every word was in her defense.

His stance was perfectly clear.

Ronan Harrison, who had been observing from the side, had now figured out his younger brother’s feelings for Rory Linden. He spoke up, "Sean has reached that age. It’s time he found a girlfriend. Rory Linden has been around our family for a long time. We’re aware of her parents’ situation and her personality; we know her through and through. She would be a fine partner."

"Yes."

In the face of his brother, who had spoken up on his behalf, Sean Harrison’s demeanor finally softened.

’Evelyn Irving felt absolutely miserable. She couldn’t stand this Lucy Shaw at all.’

’She had originally thought the Shaw Family’s circumstances were similar to her own, which gave her some small comfort.’

’But now she knew the Shaw Family had been having financial problems for a while. They needed this marriage alliance with the Harrington Family to secure bank loans and pacify their shareholders.’

’It made her feel more and more that this Lucy Shaw couldn’t compare to Rory Linden in any way!’

’Tonight’s banquet was only for the engagement.’

’If Rory Linden hadn’t come, there might still have been a chance to salvage things between Miles and her.’

’But Rory Linden did come today—and as Sean Harrison’s girlfriend!’

’From now on, there was likely zero chance for her son to be with her.’

Ronan Harrison glanced toward the entrance and smiled. "Old Langdon is here. I’ll go greet him. We’re all family, so please, make yourselves comfortable."

After saying their goodbyes, the couple departed.

As Rory Linden watched Evelyn Irving and her husband walk away, the tension in her calves finally released, and she staggered slightly.

"Tired?" Sean Harrison steadied her.

"The heels are a little high... I’d like to find somewhere to rest for a bit."

Rory Linden looked around. The engagement party was a seated dinner, with a guest list on every table.

’My name will surely be with Sean Harrison’s. It wouldn’t be right for me to go sit there alone...’

’But I remember there’s a sofa out in the corridor...’

"I’ll go with you."

The words had barely left Sean Harrison’s mouth when two men in the distance started walking toward them, calling out, "President Harrison."

Even Rory Linden recognized them. They were the CEOs of well-known tech companies, figures who frequently appeared in the news!

Though Rory Linden didn’t understand the rules of business partnerships, she knew that Sean Harrison would definitely have to stay and chat with these two bigwigs.

"It’s okay. You go ahead and tend to your business. I’ll go by myself." Rory Linden withdrew the arm linked with his. "Don’t worry, I’m just going to find a place to sit for a bit."

With his free hand, Sean Harrison gently pulled her in by the waist. He lowered his head slightly, his thin lips brushing against the shell of her ear. "All right. I’ll come find you in a little while."

The proximity was so intimate that Rory Linden could clearly feel the warmth of his breath as he spoke.

It made her ear burn.

Rory Linden walked away slowly, and she overheard one of the CEOs behind her ask, "President Harrison, who was that lady just now?"

Sean Harrison replied, "That’s my girlfriend."

The man asked again, "Is she the daughter of a prominent family?"

Sean Harrison replied, "I’m dating a girlfriend, not closing a business deal."

His answer was brilliant—it both addressed the question and protected her.

Rory Linden left the banquet hall and found a sofa in a corner of the corridor to sit on.

She had only been accompanying Sean Harrison at this engagement party for less than half an hour.

But Rory Linden already had a clear understanding of his identity, status, and social prowess.

She could also clearly see the chasm between them.

The banquet hall was only a few meters away.

And yet, she and Sean Harrison were worlds apart.

It was no wonder so many people were curious about her background.

The woman standing beside Sean Harrison was supposed to be a young lady from an equally prominent family.

Rory Linden looked down, tilting her feet slightly to lift the heels of her shoes off the floor, giving her arches a moment of relief...

"Hey beautiful, why are you sitting here all alone?"

A voice came from her right.

Rory Linden didn’t react at first, not assuming the man was talking to her.

She kept her head down, continuing to inspect her shoes.

’These heels were too expensive. She was terrified of scuffing them.’

Until the man sat down beside her.

The moment the sofa beside her sank, Rory Linden finally raised her head.

The man sitting next to her was actually... Morris Underwood!

"You’re... Dr. Linden!?"

When Morris Underwood recognized Rory Linden, his eyes filled with astonishment!

He took another, closer look. After confirming it really was Rory Linden, his gaze roved over her body with even less restraint.

"Dr. Linden, you were always in a white lab coat before. What a waste of that incredible figure."

As Morris Underwood finished speaking, his eyes fixed shamelessly on Rory Linden’s chest.

Before, in her lab coat, the woman had looked quite slim.

He hadn’t expected her to have such generous curves where it mattered.

Rory Linden had had enough. She stood up, ready to leave.

With his hands stuffed in his pockets, Morris Underwood casually turned to the side, easily blocking Rory Linden’s way.

He wasn’t particularly tall, but he had a stout build.

"Mr. Underwood, please let me pass."

Unable to run in her high heels, Rory Linden could only try to reason with the man before her.

"You know, I did some digging on you after that day," Morris Underwood said, ignoring her request. "You’re not with Sean Harrison at all. You’re Miles Harrison’s ex-girlfriend. I can’t believe you’d show up at his engagement, and dressed so beautifully... Still holding out hope?"

"Mr. Underwood, my personal affairs are none of your business. Please move."

Unlike Sean Harrison, Rory Linden couldn’t just casually claim a man as her boyfriend.

"Miles Harrison is already engaged to Lucy Shaw. I’d say it’s time for you to give up," Morris Underwood said, adjusting his collar. "How about you get with me instead? My mom likes you. We could have our own engagement in a few days, just to spite them."

"I refuse. Now please move, I’m leaving."

Rory Linden tried to leave, but was once again blocked by Morris Underwood.

"Let me tell you something, I don’t go for this playing-hard-to-get act." Morris Underwood’s expression soured. "You’re just the daughter of the Harrington family’s housekeeper. You were only with Miles Harrison to marry into wealth. What’s the difference who you sell yourself to..."

The man leaned in, his hand already reaching to grope her below the waist.

His hand was just about to land on her butt...

Rory Linden had reached her limit. She smacked his arm away, raised her knee, and drove it straight into his groin.

"Fuck..."

Morris Underwood’s face contorted instantly. He clutched his "dignity" with both hands, the pain so intense that his legs buckled, nearly bringing him to his knees.

Just as Rory Linden was about to leave, she turned and saw Sean Harrison emerge from the banquet hall. His gaze swept left and right before finally settling in her direction.