Chapter 442

"I did some digging, and it seems someone paid to spread those vicious rumors about you and Wesley."

"Any idea who's behind it?"

"Not yet, but I'll find out who dared to pull such a low move."

Natalie's voice was firm, then she added playfully, "Though I have to say, the public isn't completely clueless. At least they focused on the right details."

"By the way, Evelyn, why don't we invite Harrison for drinks tonight?"

Evelyn thought it was a great idea. "Sure, I'll text him."

She opened her chat with Harrison. Their conversation had gone silent since last night, and unease flickered in her eyes.

They had been texting daily without fail—until now. The longest gap before had been mere hours. But today was different.

A full night had passed without a reply.

Her fingers flew across the screen as she sent another message.

She waited. One minute. Five. Ten. Half an hour ticked by.

Still nothing.

"Natalie, is it normal for someone who usually replies instantly to just... disappear?"

Natalie raised an eyebrow, glancing at Evelyn's phone. "Wait, Harrison hasn't responded yet?"

Evelyn nodded, her stomach twisting with unease.

"It's fine. I'll just call him."

She dialed his number.

The robotic voice on the other end made her freeze. "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable."

"Unavailable?"

Natalie quickly reassured her. "Don't panic. He's probably tied up with something. Don't overthink it."

Evelyn hummed, trying to convince herself Natalie was right.

"I'll try again tonight."

Natalie sighed. "Love really changes you. Relax! Harrison isn't going anywhere. He'll reply the second he sees your message."

"I hope so."

Hearing Evelyn's dejection, Natalie suggested, "Since Harrison's busy, let's invite Olivia instead. The three of us can still have fun."

"Okay."

—

That evening, the trio gathered.

But Evelyn was distracted. Her phone had been silent all afternoon.

Not a single notification.

She stood abruptly. "You two go ahead. I need to check on something."

Natalie and Olivia exchanged glances, but Evelyn was already out the door.

She drove straight to Horizon Technologies.

The offices were closed. Evelyn approached a security guard. "Excuse me, has Mr. Whitmore been in today?"

The guard eyed her skeptically. Women showing up asking about Harrison wasn't unusual. Today alone, there'd been at least half a dozen.

He'd long since stopped being surprised.