Chapter 241
Chapter 241
The moment Harrison stepped out of the elevator, he commanded the attention of Roxanne. His
presence stirred something within her, causing her to absentmindedly fiddle with the hem of her dress
as a means to maintain her composure.
Upon spotting Roxanne in the living room, Harrison halted in his tracks, his brows drawing together in a
slight frown. His demeanor turned noticeably frosty. Roxanne knew he didn't want to see her.
Feeling a bit awkward, she turned to Vincent who appeared guilty, "Dad, didn't you say Harrison went
abroad on business?"
Vincent grew more flustered, "Uh."
Just then, Harrison strode over, stopping in front of the two. He gave Roxanne a cold glance, his brow
furrowing, "Why are you here?"
Vincent shot back, "What's with your tone? Roxanne came to celebrate my birthday. Is there a
problem?"
"Did you come on your own or was it my father who invited you?" Harrison continued to look at
Roxanne with a cold expression.
He stood in front of the couch.
She sat on the couch.
From his towering height of six feet two, he looked down at her, giving Roxanne a feeling of being
scrutinized.
She guessed Harrison didn’t want her here.
Roxanne decided to make a tactful exit. "Dad, since your son is back to celebrate your birthday, I won't
disturb you. I'll be going."
"Anne." Vincent stood up anxiously, "Are you upset with me? I admit, I lied to you. Harrison wasn't
going on a trip. I just wanted you two to see each other."
Roxanne picked up her purse, offering a simple smile, "Dad, it's okay. I don't blame you. You two have
fun. I've got to go."
"Did you only come over because you were sure I wouldn't be here?" Harrison grabbed Roxanne's
arm.
Roxanne looked down at Harrison's hand on her arm, choosing honesty over deceit, "Yes."
His grip on her arm tightened, causing Roxanne to wince slightly.
Suddenly, Harrison let go, coldly stating, "Now that I'm back, you can leave."
Roxanne, respecting his wishes, quickly made her exit. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
The more chaotic her thoughts became, the faster she walked.
Vincent rushed to stop her, "Anne, you're already here, at least stay to cut the birthday cake."
"Dad. I suddenly remembered I have something urgent to attend to." Roxanne apologized.
"How many more birthdays do you think I have left? Life is unpredictable. Who knows on some day I
might die for falling ill or having an accident. Stay, have dinner with me. Yes, I was wrong to lie to you.
But I genuinely want to see you and Harrison getting along."
Roxanne kept silence.
"Anne, do this for me. Stay for dinner. Let's cut the cake together!"
Vincent's pleading tone was hard for Roxanne to refuse any longer.
She looked at Harrison.
Harrison, his face dark and brooding, finally said, "If my dad wants you to stay, then stay."
The dinner, seemingly peaceful and harmonious, was a bitter pill for Roxanne to swallow.
She maintained a cheerful veneer, accompanying Vincent throughout the meal.
When it was time to cut the cake, Vincent handed the knife to Roxanne.
"Anne, I want you to cut the cake. Will you do it for me?"
Roxanne took the knife.
The cake was a homemade double-decker.
Cutting through it proved a bit challenging.
Vincent nudged Harrison, "Aren't you going to help her?"
Harrison remained unmoved.
Vincent shot him a glare, "Do you expect me to cut my own cake for you?"
Harrison, his face as icy as ever, moved next to Roxanne.
His large hand held the knife, making contact with Roxanne's hand in the process. Roxanne became
tensed at his touch.
Her discomfort and resistance were clear to Harrison.
The more she resisted, the tighter his grip became. Holding her hand, they slowly cut through the cake
together.
Roxanne felt a jolt of benumbedness.
She barely had the strength to cut the cake.
She felt puppet-like, her hand being guided by his. She had no idea how they managed to cut through
the cake.
As soon as Harrison stopped, she quickly withdrew her hand.
Throughout, Harrison watched her with a cold, distant gaze that was like a whirlpool, drawing her
inside.
While he observed Roxanne’s reaction, Vincent was observing him.
He was clearly smitten with Roxanne, yet he insisted on acting aloof.
One was aloof and detached, while the other was abject and resistant.
At this rate, Vincent feared his anticipation of having grandchildren would never come true.
He had to find a way for the two to spend time together.
Harrison served a piece of cake to Vincent, "Happy birthday, Dad."
"I don't want your cake. I want the one my daughter-in-law gives me." Vincent said deliberately.
Harrison reminded him, "Let me remind you, Roxanne and I are divorced. You don't have a daughter-
in-law now."
"Do you have to speak?" Vincent was exasperated.
Roxanne quickly took a piece of cake, handing it over, "Dad, happy birthday. From now on, you'll be
mine godfather."
"Who asked you to be my dad’s goddaughter?" Harrison coldly retorted.
Roxanne was annoyed.
Even though she and Harrison were divorced, he didn't have to be so callous towards her.
He didn’t want to have any connection with her, but she was still doing this just to irk him, "Many years
ago, your dad and I killed two wolves together. We faced life and death together. If you don't want me
to be his goddaughter, then we should be good friends despite age difference."
"Do you have to get connection with my dad?" Harrison's face darkened.
"You have no right to interfere." Roxanne was not pleased either.
Even if they were divorced, they didn't have to be enemies.
Yet Harrison regarded her as if she were his nemesis.
Vincent was on Roxanne's side, "That's right, it's none of your business. If I want Roxanne to come
here, she will, and you have no say in it."
Vincent took the piece of cake from Roxanne's hands, purposely letting it slip out of his hand.
The cake rolled down Roxanne's clothes, smearing her with cream all over, "Anne, dad didn't do it on
purpose."
It was clearly intentional.
Roxanne sighed helplessly. Was he trying to make her stay for the night?
"Anne, go wash it and change your clothes," he suggested.
Roxanne knew the old man's intentions all too well, she declined politely, "I'll just wipe it off. Dad, since
we’ve cut the cake, I should go now."
As she spoke, she pulled out a few napkins, vigorously scrubbing at the cream on her clothes.
"It won't be cleaned off," Vincent signaled to the maid hurriedly, "Lily, take Roxanne upstairs to change."
Lily took Roxanne upstairs, pushing her into Harrison's room.
Downstairs, Vincent gave Harrison a firm slap on the back, "Don't just stand there, go help her."
Harrison was reluctant to go.
But his feet moved unconsciously.
At the door, he stopped.
The woman inside left him feeling confused and disoriented.
He thought that by divorcing her and keeping his distance, he could return to his old life, free of Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
emotional entanglements.
Until this moment, standing at the door, he realized he couldn't achieve the detachment he craved.
He pushed the door open and went in.