Chapter 164

Harrison sat with a polite expression, appearing to listen intently to Mr. Smith’s presentation. In reality, most of his attention was devoted to his young wife beside him. The moment she swayed ever so slightly, he reacted instantly-long arm reaching out to catch her as she slumped, her soft, warm figure falling right into his embrace.
Anastasia roused slightly, rubbing her eyes as she looked up at him.
“Tired?” Harrison murmured, his voice gentle and soothing. “Why don’t you get some rest?”
“Mmm
Trusting him without a second thought, she let her eyelids flutter shut again, snuggling into his arms to find a comfortable spot.
Harrison let her settle, his gaze dropping to her with a tenderness that was almost intoxicating.
Across the table, Mr. Smith sat stunned, momentarily wondering if he was dreaming.
Was this really Mr. Harrison Lancaster?
Suddenly, Harrison’s eyes flicked up, cold and sharp. The chill in that glance jolted Mr. Smith back to reality. He broke out in a cold sweat, face going pale as he realized he’d been staring—and not just once-at the girl in Harrison’s arms. Heart pounding with panic, he ducked his head, not daring to look her way again.
For the rest of the meeting, Mr. Smith kept his eyes firmly on his notes, barely daring to glance at Anastasia out of the corner of his eye.
“Keep your voice down,” Harrison said abruptly, frowning. “Don’t wake her.”
“Y-yes, of course!” Mr. Smith stammered, nodding frantically as he tried to compose himself.
Who was this girl, and what was her relationship to Harrison Lancaster? To see the infamous Mr. Lancaster so gentle, so indulgent… It was unthinkable. As he left the meeting, the question kept circling in Mr. Smith’s mind. Google seaʀᴄh.net
Who was this woman at Harrison Lancaster’s side? The gossip would explode when word reached Riverton. The city’s high society heiresses would lose their minds.
When Anastasia woke, it was already dark outside. She was lying in bed in their apartment.
It took her a couple of seconds to get her bearings. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, then padded out of the bedroom, barefoot.
She turned a corner and, without warning, walked right into a familiar chest.
A strong arm wrapped securely around her waist. “Why aren’t you wearing any shoes?”
“Babe!” Anastasia instantly perked up, throwing herself into his arms. “How did I get home? Weren’t we at the hotel?”
“Meeting ended, so I brought you back,” Harrison replied, already steering her back toward the bedroom to find her slippers.
“I don’t remember any of it she mumbled, feeling a little embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I just suddenly got so tired.”
“Put your slippers on,” Harrison told her.
“Okay.” She nodded obediently, sitting down on the edge of the bed and bending to reach for her slippers-only for his hand to catch her ankle.
He knelt down in front of her, strong hands gently but firmly sliding her feet into her bunny slippers and fastening the little straps behind her heels.
“No more running around barefoot,” he chided softly.
“Oh It took her a moment to reply, cheeks flushed and heart pounding wildly. Looking at his handsome, serious face, she thought he’d never seemed more impossibly attractive.
Just then, Logan came down the hallway with a report in hand. Seeing the bedroom door open, he stepped inside-only to freeze at the scene before him.
He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Was he hallucinating? Was that really his boss, Harrison Lancaster, kneeling on one knee to help someone put on slippers?
No matter how many times he blinked, the image didn’t disappear.
“What is it?” Harrison asked, his voice low and commanding, gaze snapping toward the doorway.
Logan jolted, instantly sobering up.
“Uh… Mr. Lancaster, I have a report for you.”
“It can wait.”
“Yes, sir.”
Doing his best to keep his composure, Logan beat a hasty retreat, mind still reeling from the shock.