Chapter 50
Gwyneth shut the door with practiced quietness and nodded to the driver.
As city lights streaked past the windows, Harrison’s deep voice cut through the silence: “Care to explain?”
Gwyneth stiffened at the question. With deliberate slowness, she brushed her shoulder where Zachary had shoved past her moments before. “Trash belongs with trash,” she said flatly. “Hardly worth discussing.”
Harrison’s eyes opened, the shadows in his eyes clearing. Trash belongs with trash, he thought, a slow smirk curving his lips. Well said.
Gwyneth’s eyes wandered and landed on the promotional brochure beside him. “Galvocity?”
“New shopping mall project there,” Harrison replied
She picked it up, tapping specific locations. “Bad investment. Unlike Joracity’s balanced foot traffic, Galvocity crowds cluster unpredictably.” Her finger moved decisively. Premium locations outperform bargain spots here.”
Harrison watched as she dissected each flaw with surgical precision. Her understanding of urban patterns was impressive
“You know the city better than our scouts,” he observed. After a beat, he added. “I’m touring sites tomorrow. Could use a local guide.”
Gwyneth blinked in surprise. You want me to scout locations for you?”
“Your call” he said evenly.
For a second, Gwyneth questioned if she’d read too much into the request. “Might be a chance to visit my aunt while we’re there,” she mused aloud before nodding. When do we leave?”
Since returning to Joracity, she’d been swamped with Jenkins family affairs. This trip could serve dual purposes if she managed to bring her aunt
back with them.
Harrison methodically stored the design portfolios, a faint satisfied smile playing at his lips. “Tomorrow”
The next morning, they packed up and headed straight to Calvocity. Upon landing. Harrison made some calls to get supplies delivered
When they arrived at Pamela’s house, Harrison had his team unload so many gifts from the trunk that they nearly blocked her front door.
Pamela had worried endlessly about Gwyneth’s arranged marriage. But when Harrison walked through the door, her concerns began to fade.
He wore a perfectly fitted sit and carried several expensive–looking gift boxes, What truly surprised her, though, was how respectfully he greeted her just like Gwyneth did.
He wasn’t as close as Zachary–they didn’t share that same history–but his quiet respect for Gwyneth meant more than familiarity ever could.
“Gwennie.” Pamela’s face lit up as she ushered them inside. “Don’t leave your young man standing there. And just set those gifts by the door. No one would dream of touching them here.”
As soon as they settled on the sofa, Pamela launched into her interrogation. She probed everything from Gwyneth’s sleep schedule to whether she remembered to eat proper meals.
Gwyneth had left the city without glancing back after what happened with Zachary. But now, the true weight of it hit her–she’d miss Pamela terribly. The woman had been like a mother to her since she was little.
Gwyneth leaned in, her voice gentle. “Pamela, you’ve been in Galvocity with my cousin all these years. Have you ever thought about coming back to Joracity”
She knew Pamela had always wanted to return, but the Jenkins family still acted as if Pamela had brought them shame.
With her son still in school, Pamela worried about the rumors they’d face if they went back–so she buried her homesickness, year after year.
Pamela offered a tired smile. “That’s kind of you, but your cousin hasn’t graduated yet. Switching schools would be such a hassle-
in help. Harrison cut in, speaking up for the first time in a while.
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