Chapter 267

Harrison's expression remained unreadable as he passed the menu to the waiter. "That will be all for now. We'll order more if necessary."

Once they were alone, Evelyn finally set down her fork and fixed him with a curious gaze. "Harrison, how did you know I never eat onions or mushrooms?"

Not even Nathan, who had been married to her for three years, had noticed this particular preference.

Harrison's intense gaze held hers for a long moment before he answered simply, "Your brother mentioned it."

"Dominic?"

He nodded, carefully omitting the countless hours he'd spent observing her habits himself.

Evelyn accepted his explanation without question.

"Well, well, if it isn't Evelyn Carter!" A shrill voice cut through their conversation. Before Evelyn could react, Beatrice Harrington was already looming over their table.

The woman's beady eyes darted between them with undisguised curiosity. As Nathan's aunt, she'd always despised Evelyn. Seeing her now with such an influential man made Beatrice's blood boil.

"What exactly is going on between you two?" she demanded.

Evelyn felt her patience evaporate. Of all the Sterling relatives, Beatrice was the worst - a vicious gossip with no filter.

"Ms. Harrington, that's none of your concern."

Beatrice's face twisted in anger, still smarting from previous rejections. "Oh really? So you've upgraded from our family to some boy toy? Though I must say, this one's a definite downgrade from Nathan."

Evelyn saw red. She could tolerate insults against herself, but not Harrison.

"Where did this rabid bitch escape from?" Evelyn's voice turned icy. "Someone should put her back on her leash."

"How dare you!"

"Am I wrong?"

Beatrice's face flushed crimson, but Evelyn wasn't finished. "Still unemployed, isn't your husband? How long do you think that would last if I made a few calls?"

She knew exactly where to strike.

The threat hit its mark. Beatrice visibly deflated. This wasn't the same powerless girl she'd bullied before.

Across the table, Harrison calmly dabbed at Evelyn's lips with a napkin, his affectionate gesture only fueling Beatrice's rage. With a final huff, she stormed away.

Their meal continued undisturbed.

After lunch, they headed to Horizon Technologies. The staff didn't recognize Evelyn personally, but Harrison had introduced her as honorary director during a company-wide meeting.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Carter!" employees greeted respectfully as they passed.

Evelyn looked puzzled. Once in the elevator, she turned to Harrison. "Why are they addressing me like that?"

She knew Horizon was jointly funded by the Whitmore and Kingsley families, but she'd never been involved.

Harrison's lips curved in that secretive smile she'd come to recognize. "You do realize you own 49% of Horizon's shares, don't you?"

Evelyn's breath caught.

"Forty-nine percent?"

That gave her significant influence at Horizon. The collaboration with Kingsley Industries would proceed smoothly now - family business always took priority.

"Harrison, why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Consider it a well-timed surprise."

As the elevator doors opened, they nearly collided with Diana Chamberlain.