Love at First Sight? Mr. Harrison Has Been Scheming All Along-Chapter 53: The Man’s Deep V-Neckline Was Wide Open...

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: The Man’s Deep V-Neckline Was Wide Open...

It was only after Rory Linden followed Keith Hawthorne to meet Director Grant of the Third Hospital that she learned the two were old schoolmates who had known each other since their student days.

When the two met, they didn’t talk about work or academic matters at all.

Upon seeing Keith Hawthorne, Director Grant immediately said, "Well, what do you know. Old Lawson was just telling me to find a couple more people for a card game tonight. Since you’re here, we just need one more. We can play for a bit after the banquet."

"Old Grant, you really haven’t changed a bit over the years. Still thinking about cards all the time."

Although Keith Hawthorne teased the director, he didn’t actually refuse.

Director Grant pointed at Rory Linden and said, "Why don’t you bring your prized assistant along to make up the numbers?"

Rory Linden froze.

’I can’t believe two old friends are arranging a card game and want to include me.’

She had no desire to join this reunion of old friends and was trying to think of an excuse to decline when...

"What are you all discussing? Mind if I join you?"

A familiar voice sounded beside her.

Rory Linden turned to see Sean Harrison standing beside her, though she hadn’t noticed him approach. He was holding a glass of wine, his gaze fixed on Director Grant, not her.

"President Harrison!" Director Grant’s face was full of surprise when he noticed Sean Harrison. "I was just asking my old schoolmate to play cards. We’re short one player, care to join?"

"Sorry, I’m not interested in cards."

Sean Harrison’s reply was quick and direct.

His refusal was crystal clear.

The man’s status in Veridia was self-evident, so Director Grant didn’t dare try to persuade him the way he had with Keith Hawthorne.

Director Grant’s gaze fell on Rory Linden. "Keith, does your young assistant know how to play cards? If she does, let’s have her join. It wouldn’t be appropriate to just call in a stranger."

"Rory, do you know how to play cards?"

Keith Hawthorne looked at Rory Linden, his tone easygoing.

Asking like this was his way of giving her an easy way out.

"I..."

Before answering, Rory Linden couldn’t help but glance at Sean Harrison.

Director Grant noticed her glance and laughed. "Young Linden, I know President Harrison is handsome, and you young people are all fond of him, but a man of his status is out of your league. Come play cards with us, and next time I’ll introduce you to the youngest department head at our hospital!"

Rory Linden’s face instantly turned red. Without thinking, she blurted out, "That’s not what I meant. I... I know how to play, I’m just not very good."

Director Grant didn’t tease her further. "As long as you know how, that’s all that matters. It’s just a friendly game, we’ll play casually."

Rory Linden wasn’t lying.

She really did know how to play several card games, all of which she had learned for Evelyn Irving.

During holidays and festivals, Evelyn would always gather people at home to play cards—sometimes mahjong, sometimes poker.

Whenever they were short a player, she would always be called upon.

To please Evelyn Irving, to be a useful person in that household, Rory Linden had gradually learned many different card and board games.

"President Harrison!"

Someone nearby called out to Sean Harrison.

Sean Harrison raised his glass and said a polite, "Excuse me," before turning to leave.

Throughout the entire exchange, he treated Rory Linden like a complete stranger.

’This is what I wanted,’ Rory Linden knew inwardly. ’We put on an act for others in Veridia. Outside of Veridia, there’s no need.’

This was his normal attitude toward her.

’Given our actual connection, isn’t this how things should be?’

Director Grant and Keith Hawthorne were still discussing the card game.

After a few minutes, she couldn’t resist looking for Sean Harrison again.

The banquet hall was vast and filled with guests.

Even so, she could spot the man in a single glance...

Sean Harrison’s looks and aura were so superior that he stood out like a focal point no matter how large the crowd.

At that moment, he appeared to be chatting with a father and daughter.

The daughter looked to be in her early twenties, and her expression was filled with clear adoration and admiration as she looked at Sean Harrison.

As if sensing her gaze, the man glanced over in her direction, intentionally or not.

Rory Linden quickly averted her eyes.

’Director Grant was right. The gap between us is too wide. If it weren’t for the fact that I look like Nadia Willow, the two of us would likely never have crossed paths.’

Soon, Director Grant’s assistant had found a place for them to play cards.

Rory Linden left the banquet with Keith Hawthorne.

The card game lasted for over four hours.

Rory Linden was a fast learner and skilled at counting cards; her actual skill level was quite high.

But...

Playing cards was a game of social graces.

For those four-plus hours, she carefully controlled her wins and losses, making sure not to lose constantly but only winning by small margins when she did.

When she left, the chips on the table representing her winnings were almost the same amount she had started with.

It was nearly midnight when Rory Linden returned to her hotel room.

She was just about to go to the bathroom to remove her makeup...

when the phone in her pocket rang.

It was a call from Sean Harrison.

"Why isn’t he asleep at this hour?" Rory Linden muttered to herself before answering the call.

"Dr. Linden, my wound needs to be cleaned. I’ll text you the room number." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The man’s voice came through, laced with a sense of entitlement.

His tone had changed noticeably from before; it was harsher, like a command.

Rory Linden straightened up slightly, turned off the running faucet, and said politely, "Okay, I’ll be right up. Please wait a moment."

She wouldn’t have been surprised to hear any of the Harrisons speak to her in that tone.

’Sean Harrison must have found something out and decided to drop the pretense.’

’That’s fine.’

Rory Linden felt a sense of relief.

’At least...’

’...this will be a wake-up call.’

’It’ll stop me from falling any deeper.’

’The Harrisons, and many others like them, are probably all the same at their core. They treat me as an equal on the surface...’

’...but deep down, they still see me as the nanny’s daughter, someone they can order around and use as they please.’

Rory Linden always carried iodine cotton swabs in her bag. She grabbed the bottle of antiseptic and went upstairs.

The man’s room was on the thirty-seventh floor of the hotel.

Rory Linden stood at the door to his room. She was about to ring the doorbell but saw that the "Do Not Disturb" light on the adjacent panel was lit, so she knocked instead.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

The heavy door muffled the sound of her knocking.

In just a few seconds, the door opened.

Sean Harrison stood inside.

As the door swung open, Rory Linden got a clear view of what the man was wearing. She froze for half a second, her face flushing red to the tips of her ears as she turned her head away.

He seemed to have just showered. He was wearing a dark silk robe, its belt loosely tied at his waist. The deep V-neck was wide open, offering a faint glimpse of his abs.

Steam still clung to his body. A droplet of water slid from his neck, tracing a path down the cleft of his powerful chest muscles.

The man seemed to find nothing wrong with his attire. After opening the door, he turned and walked back into the room.

Rory Linden hesitated at the doorway for a moment before stepping inside.

Sean Harrison was staying in the presidential suite.

He walked straight to the sofa in the living area and sat down. Picking up a classic crystal glass from the table with one hand, he said in a languid tone, "Come over, clean my wound, and then you can go."

As he spoke, he casually crossed his legs. The robe rested lightly on his thighs, the soft fabric outlining the contours of his leg muscles.

The entire scene...

was tinged with a distinct, sensual charge.