Chapter 47
Harrison had cut his meeting short after learning Gwyneth had arrived. Now he caught her examining their wedding photo.
His gaze sharpened with interest. The door clicked shut behind him. “You’re staring at that staged photo?” he drawled.
“Just admiring your office decor, Gwyneth replied, forcing a smile.
Harrison advanced toward her, his polished dress shoes sinking into the plush carpet with each deliberate step.
“Why did you come? Harrison asked, studying her.
Gwyneth gestured to the gif box on the coffee table. “The Jenkins Group sent this for you,” she said evenly. “Consider it a bribe.”
Harrison chuckled, as if he’d been expecting this. “What about dinner tonight?”
Gwyneth frowned. She didn’t see the connection between bribery and dining out. “Don’t you have meetings?”
He rapped his knuckles against the desk, his grin widening. “You’re trying to bribe me in my own office and won’t even buy me dinner?” He shook his head in mock disappointment.
Just then, the door burst open. “Harrison“” Adrian stumbled in, arms full of files, nearly tripping over his own feet.
His eyes locked onto Gwyneth standing behind Harrison. “Who’s this?”
Gwyneth met his gaze, shifting uncomfortably under the scrutiny.
Harrison’s voice turned steely. “Your aunt.”
“From the Jenkins family!” Adrian’s expression flickered–first appreciation, then something that looked remarkably like regret.
Adrian had just discovered how Gwyneth leveraged Harrison and Clyde’s influence to bypass Melanie and reach the top floor.
The same Melanie he’d onceflirted with now seemed feeble to him compared to Gwyneth’s calculated maneuvers.
“Mind your manners.” Harrison caught Adrian’s leer and cut through the tension like a blade.
Adrian stiffened. His expression soured as he greeted, “Glad to meet you.”
Harrison had suramoned Clyde here. “Reschedule today’s meetings. Have the car brought around”
“Got it” Clyde exhaled discreetly, Bless Mrs. Lopez Overworked employers like me finally get breathing room!
Gwyneth slipped her hand through Harrison’s arm as they departed.
In the elevator descending Harrison remarked, “Don’t waste your breath explaining things to Adrian.”
“Wasn’t planning to, but he’s your nephew, after all, Gwyneth said, thumb scrolling through dinner options on her phone. “Any cravings?
The elevator doors opened
a quiet chime, revealing the underground garage. Harrison guided her forward. “1 made reservations,” he said, already moving toward his car
Gwyneth blinked in surprise. Harrison worked faster than she’d anticipated. Before she could process what was going on, he’d already opened the passenger door for her.
THE
restaurant’s ambiance greeted them twenty minutes later the soft straips of a live quartet, candlelight dancing across rose centerpieces.
The spinning Cupid statue in the fountain seemed to point at them, but Gwyneth barely noticed. Her attention stayed fixed on the lavish spread before them. “They say this restaurant’s nearly impossible to book,” she remarked, eyes gleaming. “I hear their foie gras is incredible.”
“Od it meets your standards, Harrison replied, watching her reaction with amusement.
Gwyneth speared a delicate line. “I was supposed to be treating you,” she said between mouthfuls, “but you’ve gone to all this trouble. Now I owe
you even more.
The meal worked in magic, the fine food and wine melting away the day’s tensions
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