Chapter 454

Harrison turned to Phillip with a commanding tone. "From now on, Evelyn has full access to my schedule. Answer all her questions truthfully."

Phillip's eyes widened in shock. As Harrison's longtime shadow operative, he knew the gravity of this instruction. The Whitmore heir had countless enemies from years of corporate warfare. His movements were always classified information.

For over a decade, Phillip had operated in complete secrecy. Not a single public record tied him to Harrison. Yet now, his existence was being revealed to this woman without hesitation.

The message was clear - Harrison trusted Evelyn completely.

"Understood, Mr. Whitmore," Phillip responded immediately. His loyalty never wavered.

If Harrison placed his faith in Evelyn, then Phillip would too.

"You're dismissed."

"Yes, sir."

As Phillip exited, Harrison took Evelyn's hand gently. "Evie, I need to handle some... delicate matters tonight."

Evelyn had sensed the shift in his demeanor but knew better than to pry.

She simply nodded, meeting his intense gaze. "Just promise me one thing - come back in one piece."

"I promise."

The air between them grew charged as Harrison studied her face. Evelyn's reflection shimmered in his dark eyes, creating an intimacy that made her pulse quicken.

She took an instinctive step backward. "I should head home now."

Harrison caught her wrist effortlessly. "It's past midnight. Not safe."

Evelyn blinked, then flushed crimson as realization dawned. "Oh! No, that's... I couldn't possibly..."

An indulgent smile played on Harrison's lips, though he made no move to cross boundaries. He could feel Evelyn gradually opening up to him.

There was no need to rush.

"Take the master suite. I'll use the guest room. Just for tonight." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Otherwise Beatrice will have my head for letting you go home this late."

Trapped by his mother's hypothetical wrath, Evelyn had no choice but to agree.

"Alright. Goodnight then!"

She practically sprinted up the stairs like a startled deer, slamming the master bedroom door behind her before exhaling sharply.

Pressing cool palms to her burning cheeks, Evelyn scolded herself for acting so skittish.

Once composed, she finally took in her surroundings properly.

This was Harrison's inner sanctum. The room exuded quiet luxury - dark wood furnishings, crisp linens, and an understated elegance that mirrored the man himself.

"Goodness!" Evelyn gasped, spotting the illuminated display case.

Rows upon rows of rare comic book figurines stood in perfect formation, each one a collector's dream.

"Since when did Harrison become such a geek?" she wondered aloud.

The discovery triggered memories of her own childhood obsession with superheroes. Her collection still gathered dust somewhere at Kingsley Manor, untouched for years.

Evelyn shook her head with a wistful smile. "How time flies."

As she turned to leave, something glinted in the dim light, freezing her in place. Her breath caught as she recognized the object resting on Harrison's nightstand.