In just one week, Harrison looked like absolute hell.


    The bags under his eyes were one thing, but this CEO hadn’t even bothered to shave–totally disheveled.


    Pearl in his arms looked even worse. The kid was already skinny, but now she was practically wasting away.


    My advisor introduced us: “Evelyn, this is Harrison. He’s funded most of ourb equipment, so he’s basically your boss


    too.”


    I instinctively stepped back.


    All that drama with Kira had left me with serious PTSD–seeing Harrison just reminded me of being treated like some


    recement.


    Harrison managed a weak smile: “Evelyn, don’t worry, I’m not here to drag you back. It’s just…”


    His eyes dropped to Pearl.


    Pearl was staring at me with those sunken eyes, reaching out for me to hold her.


    When I didn’t move, her little face crumpled.


    She didn’t make a sound, but tears just started streaming down.


    Those tears hit me right in the chest,pletely destroying my carefully built walls.


    I immediately took Pearl and started softlyforting her.


    “Evelyn, I won’t make youe back to the house.”


    “I want to ce my daughter in yourb. You guys study autism anyway–I can’t think of a better test subject than


    Pearl”


    “You’ve basically raised her from day one. Nobody knows her better than you do, and it’ll help with your dissertation


    too.”


    I snapped my head up, staring at Harrison in disbelief. I couldn’t believe he’d go this far.


    “Do you have any idea what being a test subject means?”


    Harrison nodded seriously: “I do.”


    “But I also trust you. You’d never do anything to hurt Pearl.”


    “I’m already reaching out to international experts. I hear they’ve got cutting–edge research that could help with


    <b>13:24 </b>


    Hell Yeah, Forget the Other Woman, My Smart House Was Cheating On Me<b>! </b>


    <b>24.8</b><b>% </b>


    autism.”


    “If you’re willing, I’ll pay whatever it takes to buy their research data and donate it to you.”


    To me. Not the school, not my advisor. Me.


    My heart skipped.


    Facing a father who’d do anything for his kid, I couldn’t say no. I had no reason to say no.


    I agreed.


    Harrison basically made himself invisible to avoid causing me problems, and got Pearl three full–time caregivers.


    Word was he wanted to divorce Kira, but she wasn’t having it.


    Every time Harrison brought up divorce, she’d pull the ssic waterworks–tantrum–suicide threatbo. She even dragged Harrison’s elderly parents back from their retirement home.


    She kept insisting Harrison had fallen for his recement and wanted to run away with me.


    “Harrison, that homewrecking slut Evelyn has just blinded you temporarily. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you see her


    true colors.”


    “Then you’ll realize I’m the only person in this world who truly loves you!”


    The Harrison house was like a daily soap opera from hell.


    But then Harrison took Pearl back home.


    Just when I thought I was out of the whole mess, the news broke that Harrison Corp’s productunch got hit with giarism usations and their stock tanked.


    Lily told me that after Kira’s party stunt, Harrison had pissed off a lot of important people. This productunch was supposed to be his all–or–nothingeback.


    But a rivalpanyunched the exact same product a day earlier,plete with design concepts and original drafts.


    Now Harrison was looking at massivewsuits and total reputation destruction.


    Getting back on top would be nearly impossible.


    My heart dropped.


    Wait, was he broke now?


    What about my sry?


    While I was pacing around freaking out, my phone rang. It was the cops.


    “Evelyn, get down to the Harrison Corp building rooftop, now!”