Chapter 163

Harrison had always been domineering, arrogant, and self-centered-he cared only about what he wanted, never sparing a thought for anyone else’s feelings.
So what if he was dying? Even now, he insisted everyone know: this girl belonged to him.
But with her, for the first time, he discovered what it felt like to want to protect someone. For her to live a normal life, he was willing-willing, even-to restrain himself.
From the far end of the hallway, someone approached. It was probably the person he was meeting today, already wearing a sycophantic smile and hurrying over eagerly.
Harrison let go of the girl in his arms and ruffled her hair. “Go find your friends. I have business to take care of.”
Anastasia was still dazed, replaying what she’d just heard. She absentmindedly grabbed his sleeve and pouted, “Let me stay with you, darling!”
His sharp, handsome features softened with a hint of helplessness. “I have to talk business.” Read complete versıon only at.net
“Business I can’t hear?”
“No.”
“Then why can’t I stay?” She clung to his arm, her beautiful eyes pleading. “You’re the one who called me here, remember? You said you wanted to discuss something with the hotel owner. Well, I’m the owner, so I’m staying with you!”
Her voice was sweet and coquettish. Harrison had witnessed scenes like this before his friends’ girlfriends acting all cute and needy. He’d felt nothing but indifference and annoyance, privately questioning his friends’ sanity for putting up with such theatrics.
But now, as he looked into her shining eyes, saw the way she clung to him, he understood. Maybe his friends weren’t the crazy ones after all.
She was attached to him-hopelessly so. She wanted to be at his side.
And that, Harrison realized, made him happier than he cared to admit. “Alright,” he said.
“Mr. Harrison Lancaster!” called a man as he strode up, a wide grin on his face. Mr. Smith bowed slightly, greeting Harrison with excessive enthusiasm. When he caught sight of Anastasia, his eyes flickered with interest.
“And this is
“She’s the hotel owner, Ms. Sterling,” Harrison said coolly. Then, turning to Anastasia, he added, “This is Mr. Smith, from Riverton.”
Both introductions were brief, clearly signaling that there was no need for them to get chummy.
Anastasia got the hint and nodded politely. “Hello, Mr. Smith.”
“Ms. Sterling, pleasure to meet you!” Mr. Smith replied with equal cheer.
But he misunderstood. The curt introductions could mean another thing too: that the other party’s status was insignificant and didn’t merit special attention. Everyone knew Harrison Lancaster was famously indifferent toward women, so why had he brought a beautiful girl along for this meeting? Was she here for his benefit? The thought made Mr. Smith’s imagination run wild.
As for her being a hotel owner? In front of Harrison Lancaster, what was a hotel owner but a nobody?
So he dismissed her entirely.
Anastasia noticed the way Mr. Smith looked at her-it made her uncomfortable. But remembering he was Harrison’s guest, she swallowed her discomfort and said nothing.
Inside the private lounge they’d reserved, she naturally took the seat beside Harrison.
Mr. Smith had been about to invite her to sit next to him, but when she chose Harrison’s side, he frowned inwardly. Typical, he thought. Women like her were only interested in status. She was supposed to be here to entertain him, yet she latched onto Harrison instead-didn’t she worry about angering Harrison Lancaster?
But when Harrison said nothing, Mr. Smith could only bite back his complaints.
Mr. Smith had come from Riverton specifically to meet Harrison. The business talk was lost on Anastasia; all she saw was Mr. Smith reporting respectfully, almost obsequiously, to Harrison.
She listened for a while, but soon found herself getting sleepy.
She tried to stay alert at first, but before long, her head started to nod…