Chapter 452

Evelyn stood frozen in place, her sharp gaze scanning Harrison from head to toe. A wave of irritation washed over her when she saw him standing there perfectly intact.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Where the hell have you been these past days? I couldn't reach you at all. I thought you were—"

Harrison didn't let her finish. His strong arms enveloped her in a crushing embrace.

The familiar scent of his cologne instantly soothed Evelyn's frayed nerves. She melted against his chest, swallowing the angry words that had been on the tip of her tongue.

His warm breath tickled her ear as he murmured, "Forgive me for worrying you, Evie."

There had been unexpected complications at Whitmore Enterprises' headquarters. He'd been trapped in emergency meetings in Frenda with no access to outside communication.

The moment he'd seen her barrage of missed calls and texts, he'd boarded the first available flight. Straight from the airport, he'd come to Kingsley Industries—just to lay eyes on her sooner.

Evelyn pulled back with a scowl. "Your phone was completely dead. Not a single reply. Do you have any idea how—"

"I know," he interrupted, brushing a stray lock behind her ear. "It won't happen again."

Her eyes narrowed as she studied his face. The dark circles beneath his eyes made her stomach clench. "Harrison... did you come here directly after landing?"

A tired nod.

"I was afraid you'd worry. More afraid you'd be furious. Needed to apologize in person."

"So you haven't slept?"

His arms tightened around her waist. "Seeing you is all the rest I need."

"Release me. We're at work." Evelyn shoved against his chest.

When her hands connected with his left shoulder, Harrison hissed through clenched teeth, his face contorting in pain.

Evelyn's breath hitched. "You're hurt."

Her fingers trembled as she reached for his collar, but Harrison intercepted her wrist. "It's nothing serious."

The lie was obvious. She'd barely touched him, yet the pain had been unmistakable. "Show me. Now."

Her probing fingers found the edge of a bandage peeking above his shirt collar.

Evelyn's voice turned sharp. "What happened? How bad is it?"

The genuine concern in her eyes warmed something deep in Harrison's chest.

"Just a scratch. Barely worth mentioning."

"Like hell it is!" Evelyn's hands fisted in his jacket. "You came here injured? You should be resting!"

Harrison surrendered with a sigh. "Alright, alright."

"I'm taking you home."

A spark of amusement lit his tired eyes. "If you insist."

The drive to the Whitmore estate passed in tense silence. The moment they crossed the threshold, Evelyn was on him like a hawk.

"Let me see that injury. What really happened?"

In the grand living room, she peeled off his suit jacket with surgeon-like precision. When she lifted his dress shirt, the pristine white bandage came into view—marred by a faint crimson stain.

Harrison caught her trembling hands. "It looks worse than it is. The doctor already stitched it up."

Evelyn's lower lip quivered. "Why didn't you tell me? And another thing—when you disappeared, I realized I don't know a single person who can reach you directly. Never do this to me again."