hapter 28
Lance composed himself with a smile. “She’s right here. Why don’t you let her say it herself?”
“The Jenkin family may be down on their luck,” Harrison said without looking up, “but even fallen nobility keeps some manners, No talking while eating
“But look at us. You’re not even in the head seat, Lance, yet you speak first. If you were a fenkins, that’d earn you a scolding.“
The Jenkins rules weren’t that strict, but the Lopez family wouldn’t know that. So Gwyneth just played along. She looked up and norkled respectfully toward Liam, pointedly ignoring Lance.
Liam had seen and got everything. He set down his fork and said. “We’re more relaxed than the Jenkins family. Lance, you just got back from abroad–have more food and rest
“Understood.” Lance, having been talked back, now kept quiet, not daring to speak out of turn.
“Harrison, take it easy with the company work and spend more time with Gwyneth, Liam added.
“Sure,” Harrison replied obediently.
Lance’s expression softened a bit–reducing Harrison’s workload was exactly what he wanted.
But only Gwyneth and Harrison knew the truth: Liam did this for their own good.
After what fell like an eternity, the dinner finally came to an end. Gwyneth felt like she had just gone through a grueling ordeal and was utterly drained–thank god Harrison hadn’t asked her to join in the verbal sparring.
After dinner, Liam had to head out to a gathering with some old friends. Before leaving, he turned to Harrison. “You’re settled now–bring Gwyneth around more often. He wanted everyone to get to know her.
Harrison nodded, catching the unspoken message
Gwyneth forced a smile. Spending time with Liam was fine, but the rest of the Lopez family was like a den of vipers. She’d rather be anywhere else.
As soon as Liam left, the forced cheer of the Lopez family faded. People scattered through the halls and courtyards, talking business or gossiping in hushed tones.
Gwyneth didn’t fit in with any of the conversations, so she decided to find a quiet corner to look over some company files.
“I’ll take you home,” Harrison said, stepping up beside her and holding out his hand,
Gwyneth glanced around. “But everyone’s still here. Can we really leave early!”
The Lopez family never had much for manners,” Harrison replied, pulling her up with a firm grip that nearly dragged her into his arms.
Se stumbled catching herself against him just as Lance approached with a glass of wine seemed Lance had wanted to talk to her, and Harrison was eager to get her out of there.
Lance chuckled, “Leaving so soon, Gwyneth?”
Before she could respond, Harrison tightened his arm around her waist. “She’s got business meetings tomorrow. Unlike the rest of you, she doesn’t have time to waste”
The i room fell silent
Lance sneered, “Harrison, watch your tongue. I’ll get you into trouble”
“Isn’t that what you wann? Harrison shot back, then strode out of the room with Gwyneth in tow.
Rehind them. Lagoes face darkened. He thought, Aren’t they together just for some common interests? Why is Harrison protecting her like she’s some precious gem!
Gwyneth watched the neon lights blur past the car window, feeling a dull ache in her chest. The Lopez family was even more suffocating than the Jenkins, And Harrison, like her, seemed to be an outsider in his own home
