Chapter 376

Evelyn stayed quiet, her mind clearly working through some complex thoughts.

After a long pause, she turned to Harrison with sudden understanding flashing in her eyes. "Harrison, let me take a wild guess. That seven-day deadline you suggested... there's more to it, isn't there?"

Harrison leaned back, arms crossed in that infuriatingly confident way of his. Yet his voice softened when he spoke. "I should know better than to try hiding things from you."

The silent understanding between them spoke volumes.

Olivia looked back and forth between them, completely lost. "Evelyn, what kind of secret language are you two speaking?"

"Don't worry about it, Olivia." Evelyn gave her friend a reassuring smile. "In this world, every action leaves traces behind."

"So?"

"The truth will surface eventually. Those designs Juliette claims I stole? They're from my university portfolio. The original sketches are still archived at the design school. We just need time to prove it."

Time to gather the evidence that would clear her name.

Olivia's eyes widened with realization. "So you need to go back to campus?"

Evelyn nodded. "It's been too long. Maybe I'll find something useful there. Harrison—"

Before she could finish, Harrison anticipated her request. "I'm coming with you."

Gratitude warmed Evelyn's voice. "Thank you."

...

That afternoon, she cleared her schedule at Kingsley Industries and boarded Harrison's private jet bound for Coronia. The exhaustion of the past days finally caught up with her, and she leaned back against the plush seat, eyes drifting shut. Within minutes, her breathing evened out into sleep.

Harrison studied her peaceful expression with quiet affection. In this moment, everything felt right. He carefully draped a cashmere blanket over her.

Just then, a phone vibrated against the polished mahogany table.

Despite being mid-flight, the satellite connection kept them reachable. Harrison moved to the other side of the cabin and activated the large screen display.

Callum Blackwood's grinning face appeared immediately. "Harrison! Finally getting to see your handsome face—"

Harrison cut through his friend's playful greeting. "Get to the point."

The abruptness wiped the smirk off Callum's face. "Right. About that background check on Juliette Blackwood you requested."

"Find anything noteworthy?"

Callum shook his head. "Clean as a whistle. Spotless academic record, simple family background. I dug through all her social connections too—nothing suspicious."

"Spotless background?" Harrison's fingers began an absent rhythm against the armrest.

The familiar gesture made Callum stiffen. When Harrison did that, trouble usually followed.

Though unsure why Harrison wanted Juliette investigated, Callum recognized his friend's dissatisfaction. "Harrison, Juliette's been the perfect student since kindergarten. Top of her class, teacher's pet—the whole package."

"Only notable event was a car crash five years back. Parents died on impact, but she walked away without a scratch. Became an orphan overnight."

Harrison's fingers stilled. "She was in an accident?"

Callum nodded. "Checked the police reports myself. Family sedan lost control on the freeway, collided head-on with a semi-truck."

"Parents died instantly. Medical reports called her survival a miracle."