Chapter 11
After dismissing the bodyguards, Harrison took Emily’s hand and walked her out of the lounge. She was wrapped in a scarlet couture gown, chin high like a peacock in mating season–radiating disdain toward anyone who dared try to get close.
“No need to flatter me. I’m just a humble doctor,” she finally snapped when the ninth guest came up to praise her brilliance. “You won’t gain anything from me. I treat everyone the same.”
Clutching the mic, she moved to the center of the room, her tone cold and self–righteous. “As a doctor, I don’t want to see any of you at my hospital, and I certainly don’t want you coming to me for favors. And as Harrison’s fiancée, I don’t appreciate you trying to curry favor with me just to get
to him.”
“I’ll take your well–wishes. The flattery? The sucking up? Spare me.”
The once–lively engagement party fell into stunned silence. The only sound left was the static buzz of the mic and her clipped, biting words.
Guests exchanged uncomfortable glances. Their expressions shifted from polite interest to barely
veiled disdain.
This wasn’t boldness–it was tactless arrogance. And at a high–society function like this, Emily Ross had just proven, before the entire elite of Rivermont, that she had no grace–and even less
sense.
Harrison’s brows furrowed deeply. His gaze darkened with disapproval.
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He used to find this outspokenness novel–even admirable. He’d once thought she was fearless and honest, like a younger Olivia.
But now? Now he just thought she was foolish.
He strode up, tore the mic from her hand, and tried to pull her offstage.
But Emily yanked away, snatched the mic back, and kept going. “Don’t stop me. I’m not afraid to offend people. I got where I am by myself, and I want them to know that. And they need to hear
that.”
“They didn’t come to celebrate us–they came to claw their way up. I don’t want you mingling with trash like that, Harrison. We should set a good example for our child.”
Harrison’s jaw tightened. His voice dropped to a dangerous calm.
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“Earned it yourself?” he scoffed. “You flunked every board exam. You’re not even licensed. You’d be nowhere near Rivermont Mercy if I hadn’t paved the way.”
His voice cut through the hall like glass. Emily froze.
Tears welled in her eyes. “Why are you saying this? Grades aren’t everything. You… you sound just Tears welled in her eyes. “Why are you saying th like the people you always hated.”
“Shut up,” Harrison snapped, tugging at his tie in frustration. He scanned the silent, stiff crowd,
and for the first time in his life, felt utterly humiliated.
“This engagement is off. Everyone, go home,” he announced.
Gasps echoed across the room.
He’d finally come to his senses–he couldn’t tie himself to someone this beneath him.
“What? You’re canceling the engagement? Just because I told the truth? Because I bruised your ego?” Emily shrieked, stepping in front of him, mascara smudged and voice cracking.
Harrison brushed her aside with visible disgust and walked off without a second glance.
All he could think about was Olivia.
He missed her with an ache that burned through his chest.
And for the first time, he truly regretted pushing her aside for Emily Ross.
He drove back to the old estate in a frenzy.
“Olivia,” he called out as he pushed open the door, “I’m home. Say you’re sorry–and I’ll marry you again. Right now. No questions asked.”
Chapter 11
