Love at First Sight? Mr. Harrison Has Been Scheming All Along-Chapter 96: "Miles, do I need to teach you how to speak to your aunt?
From that single sentence, Rory Linden immediately sensed that something was wrong between her mother and the Harrington Family.
"It’s not a matter of ’good’ or not," Rory Linden said, forcing a smile. "I may have been living on their charity, but if it weren’t for the Harrington Family, I don’t know who I would’ve been sold to."
"That’s true... Anyway, was there something you wanted to see me about?"
Ivan Lowell steered the conversation back on track.
Though they had only exchanged a few brief words, Rory Linden could sense that Ivan Lowell’s attitude toward her and her mother was, at the very least, a kind one.
"Uncle Lowell, back then... before my mother passed away, did anything happen? For instance... was someone trying to hurt her?"
Rory Linden phrased it delicately.
She was being very subtle.
If Ivan Lowell knew anything, he would surely connect the dots.
"Did someone tell you something?" Ivan Lowell had clearly thought of something, but instead he said, "Your mother was a good person. With so much going on back then, for her to step up and protect Evelyn Irving... that was truly rare."
’So something *did* happen!’
’What was it that happened back then?’
Rory Linden had been too young; she had no idea.
"Don’t good people deserve a good end?" Rory Linden could only be blunt. "Now the Harrisons are taking advantage of the fact that my mother is gone, taking advantage of the fact that the dead can’t defend themselves!"
She didn’t mention what the Harrisons had specifically said or done.
She didn’t say a single word.
She was waiting for Ivan Lowell to be the one to speak.
Ivan Lowell was already in his thirties when he started as the butler for the Harrington Family.
Now, twenty years later, he was a man past fifty.
The waiter brought their coffee.
Ivan Lowell took a sip of his coffee and sighed deeply. "Starry, my dear, the dead can’t be brought back. Your mother has been gone for twenty years. Let her rest in peace."
"Uncle Lowell." Rory Linden finally couldn’t hold back any longer. She lowered her voice and protested, "They’re saying my mother was a mistress, that she seduced Senior President Harrison! How can my mother rest in peace when they’re spreading lies like that?"
As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Ivan Lowell.
She wanted to see how he would react.
Ivan Lowell’s brow furrowed deeply. "Let bygones be bygones. It’s best if you just stay away from them."
’I knew it.’
’Something definitely happened back then.’
"Uncle Lowell, can you please tell me what happened all those years ago? My mother was so good to me. I can’t bear to have people say such things about her."
Rory Linden’s gaze fell, and she clenched her hands together tightly.
She suddenly wondered if her mother had endured so much humiliation at the Harrington estate because she’d had to raise her there...
Ivan Lowell opened his mouth, but ultimately just stood up, leaving her with a single sentence: "I’m sorry. I’m getting old, and I don’t remember things clearly anymore."
"Uncle Lowell!"
Rory Linden watched him walk away and hurried out after him.
She kept pace with Ivan Lowell, pleading with him gently.
"Please, can you just tell me what you remember?"
"I swear I won’t tell anyone you’re the one who told me."
"Uncle Lowell, you’re the only person I can turn to. I’m begging you..."
Ivan Lowell didn’t break his stride, flagging down a passing taxi.
Just before getting into the car, the man glanced back at Rory Linden.
Perhaps it was because the mother and daughter looked so much alike.
Ivan Lowell finally spoke up. "Starry, I can only tell you this: Quinn Linden was a good person. But I can’t afford to cross the Harrington Family. I can’t say anything more."
Rory Linden watched the taxi pull away, her gaze vacant.
’A good person.’
Of course she knew her mother was a good person.
And she knew her mother would never do anything immoral.
Such a good person, dead for twenty years, and still being labeled a mistress.
’What right did Charlotte Rhodes have!’
’What right did she have to call my mother a mistress based on a few words, without knowing a thing!’
Rory Linden stood by the side of the road for a long time.
When she came to her senses, she realized Sean Harrison was standing beside her. She had no idea when he’d arrived.
"S-Sean Harrison."
Seeing him, Rory Linden felt a mix of complicated emotions.
After all, her mother’s situation was connected to his parents.
"Come on, let’s get in the car." Sean Harrison didn’t ask any questions. "Are you hungry? There’s a nice restaurant nearby. I just made a reservation."
"I’m sorry, I... don’t have an appetite."
"Then just keep me company."
Sean Harrison clearly wasn’t going to change his mind.
The restaurant he had booked was another upscale French place.
The courses arrived one by one, and Rory Linden ate slowly.
Throughout the meal, neither of them spoke.
When dessert arrived, Rory Linden finally asked, "Sean Harrison, do you really like me just because of what happened fifteen years ago?"
Lately, Rory Linden had been thinking back on the events of fifteen years ago over and over.
She hadn’t done anything particularly special.
She had just pestered him time and time again.
She guessed Sean Harrison must have found her annoying back then; otherwise, he wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye.
Now they’d suddenly met again, and he was saying he liked her...
Sean Harrison had said more than once that the Harrington Family owed her, and that no amount of kindness toward her would be too much.
’Could it be that he already knows something?’
"You think I’m lying to you."
Sean Harrison stated it as a fact, drawing the conclusion from her words.
"I just think..."
"If you have a question for me, just ask it."
Sean Harrison cut her off.
Rory Linden used the delicate silver spoon to cut a small piece of cake and put it in her mouth.
After swallowing, she asked, "At home, in the Harrington family, have you ever heard anyone mention my mother?"
"I have. Your mother was stabbed multiple times and died after resuscitation efforts failed, because she was trying to stop robbers from hurting my sister-in-law during a home invasion." Sean Harrison recounted this calmly. "Although the Harrington Family provided compensation, I’ve always believed that a human life can’t be measured in millions of dollars."
His expression was calm and sincere as he said this.
Rory Linden found it easy to believe every word he said.
Just as she was about to ask another question...
"Sean, Rory Linden, what a coincidence!"
A woman’s voice called out both of their names.
Rory Linden looked toward the voice.
Nadia Willow walked into the restaurant wearing a beautiful, modern-style formal gown.
And the person following behind her was...
Miles Harrison?!
’Those two are having dinner together?’
As Rory Linden looked at Miles Harrison, he happened to look over at her at the same moment.
The instant their eyes met, his expression was a clear mix of surprise and awkwardness.
Acting as if he hadn’t seen them, Sean Harrison asked Rory Linden, "Are you done?"
Rory Linden nodded quickly.
Sean Harrison called the waiter over to settle the bill.
In that brief moment, Miles Harrison and Nadia Willow walked over to their table.
He first explained to Rory, "Rory, we’re just having dinner to discuss something. I didn’t know you’d be here."
"I see. The food here is quite good." Rory Linden smiled faintly. "I hope you two have a pleasant dinner. We’ll be going now."
Rory Linden picked up her bag from the chair, ready to leave...
"Rory." Miles Harrison stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "I heard you’ve been looking for contact information for the old nannies. Is that right?"
Rory Linden looked at him.
Miles Harrison continued, "I have Auntie Vincent’s contact information from back then."
"Really?!"
Rory Linden couldn’t control the excitement in her voice.
Miles Harrison continued, "I can give it to you, but on one condition. Take my number off your block list, add me back on WeChat, and then we’ll talk."
Before Rory Linden could respond, Sean Harrison spoke first. "Miles, do I need to teach you how to speak to your aunt?"
