The lines of Harrison’s face tightened, his sharp Adam’s apple barely moving as he swallowed.
Leo spoke in a calm, instructive tone. “If you understand, just give me a simple yes.” A chill ran over Harrison’s scalp. He bowed his head to Leo–something he’d never do with anyone else.
“Yes…”
He looked utterly defeated, like a general who’d lost the war, broad shoulders shadowed by gloom.
Satisfied with his answer, Leo turned and left.
*
Selene walked beside Leo. “Thank you for stepping in for me, Dr. Vaughn.”
Daph hurried to catch up, her voice brimming with awe. “Dr. Vaughn, you were amazing!”
Her small head was still reeling from what she’d witnessed; it was the first time she’d ever seen Harrison so thoroughly subdued.
Daph gazed up at Leo with unconcealed admiration. To her, Leo was someone who existed on a whole different plane than Harrison.
“Just call me ‘Professor‘ like you used to,” Leo said, uncomfortable with Selene’s formal “Dr. Vaughn“-as if they were strangers.
Once, Selene had trusted and depended on him completely…
Selene’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “I used to call you ‘brother‘ too, remember?”
Why wouldn’t he let her call him that anymore? Leo always seemed a little too lofty, a little too untouchable–like a saint in an old painting.
Seated in his wheelchair, Leo’s dark eyes grew distant, lost in thought.
Daph piped up, “Then what should I call you? You’re Mom’s professor, after all.”
Selene rested a hand on Daph’s shoulder. “Just call him Mr. Vaughn.”
Leo blinked, his long lashes flickering. Dropping a title felt oddly fitting.
1/2
13:25
“You know, refusing Harrison’s invitation means giving up your spot at the Tech Innovation Summit,” he pointed out.
The Summit was mainly for business leaders. Even though Selene had won a prestigious competition, she still wasn’t considered part of that world. If she accepted a university’s sponsorship to attend, she’d be tied to their interests for good.
Leo rubbed his thumb thoughtfully along the armrest of his wheelchair. “I actually-”
“I already have an invitation!” Selene interrupted, beaming. “Mr. Shaw from the organizing committee sent me a direct invitation!”
Leo really did look out for her–he’d even thought through the consequences of turning down Harrison’s offer, worrying about what doors might close-
Selene’s gaze grew even softer, full of gratitude and something almost like devotion.
“Did the Summit’s staff reach out to you already?” Leo asked, a trace of surprise in his voice.
Selene shook her head. “No, it was Mr. Adrian Shaw. He gave me the official invitation.”
She dug into her purse and handed Leo the formal letter.
He glanced at it briefly.
It was the real thing–a personal, official invitation from the Summit organizers.
So much for the backup plan he’d had in mind.
Behind him, his assistant quietly slipped the nearly–revealed spare invitation back into his briefcase.
Leo lingered on the name Selene used for Adrian–Mr. Shaw.
Good. That meant they weren’t close.
“Come with me,” Leo said,
Selene didn’t know where he intended to take her, but she trusted him instinctively. She and Daph followed him into a sleek black car.
*
In a private dining room across town, a waiter approached Harrison to report, “Mr.
2/3
13:25
Chapter 147
Vaughn, Miss Thompson just left with Dr. Vaughn. They drove off together.”
Harrison sat at the end of the long table, his gaze cold and fixed on the mess of dishes scattered before him.
3/3
