Chapter 276

The man with the scruffy beard narrowed his eyes, his cold, menacing gaze returning to Alice.
“I—I’m not lying! I swear, I wasn’t trying to hurt Mr. Harrison Lancaster. I was just upset with him and wanted to play a little prank, that’s all. I never planned to set
him up
Alice’s voice cracked with panic and despair, her mind reeling, barely able to form a coherent thought.
She really had only intended to hire a few fake kidnappers, to stage a dramatic rescue so that Mr. Harrison Lancaster would feel indebted to her. She wanted to show him she’d risk her life for him, to prove that compared to her, Anastasia didn’t mean a thing.
But things had spun out of control. The kidnappers she’d hired, the ones who’d promised to go along with her plan, had turned on her the moment they got their hands on the medical files. Their true colors were suddenly, terrifyingly clear.
Now, the thought of what would happen if Mr. Harrison Lancaster didn’t come to save her or worse, if he learned the truth-made Alice tremble all over with fear.
The bearded man gave her a long, contemptuous look. “Someone dumb enough to pull a stunt like this probably is dumb enough to get caught. We’ll wait a little longer.”
“If Mr. Harrison Lancaster isn’t here in half an hour, then we’ll kill her. No rush.”
Hospital.
“Let them do whatever they want with her, then.”
Harrison barely glanced at the severed fingertip in the evidence bag. His voice was icy and detached, as if he were discussing the weather.
Outside the hospital room, Thomas, who had overheard everything, stood frozen, his face drained of color. Google seaʀᴄh
He hesitated at the door, then spun on his heel and hurried away down the hallway.
Anastasia insisted she wasn’t in any pain, but Harrison still had the doctor give her a thorough examination, from head to toe, just to be sure. Only when the doctor confirmed she was fine did he finally take her home.
It had been a long, exhausting night. By the time they reached the apartment, Anastasia was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open.
Harrison carried her inside. Even in her sleep, she seemed anxious, her small hands clutching his shirt as if afraid to let go.
He tried to gently free himself, but the moment he moved, she frowned in her sleep, as though about to wake up.
For a fleeting moment, the hardness in Harrison’s gaze softened. He pressed a gentle kiss to her full, rosy lips, then lay down beside her.
Sensing his familiar presence, Anastasia instinctively burrowed into his arms, her tense brow finally relaxing, the corners of her lips curving in a sweet, contented smile.
Watching her, Harrison felt something inside him melt-his cold, impenetrable heart turning unexpectedly tender. A warmth flickered in his eyes, so subtle he hardly noticed it himself.
He kissed her forehead, pulled her close, and closed his eyes.
At some point, Anastasia woke, groggy and a little disoriented, realizing she was snuggled against someone. She lifted her head and saw the strong line of Harrison’s jaw, and her heart fluttered.
She nuzzled her cheek against his chest, then tried to slip away.
Sensing her movement, a large hand suddenly closed around her wrist.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
His eyes remained shut, his voice husky with sleep.
She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Let go, honey. I need to use the bathroom.”
He instantly released her wrist.
Anastasia made a quick trip to the bathroom, then decided she was thirsty and padded downstairs for some water.
She was just about to head back upstairs when Logan burst through the door, looking grim and flustered.
“Ma’am, where is Mr. Harrison Lancaster?”
He sounded urgent, as if something serious had happened.
Anastasia almost replied that Harrison was upstairs, but then hesitated, catching herself. “Is something wrong?” she asked instead.
Logan seemed reluctant to answer; whatever it was, it was a matter for Harrison, not her.
But Anastasia took a wild guess. “Does it have something to do with Thomas?” Logan’s face changed instantly, eyes wide with shock as he stared at her.