Aline couldnât help but worry about Regina, knowing well that her family raised a sensible child.
âOkay, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Dad, you donât have to fret about this. I promise Iâll have it sorted in two days, okay? Just stay at home and enjoy your golden years. Iâve told you not to get all worked up over my love life.â
The old lady grumbled, âIf you had a girlfriend by now, would we even need to worry like this?
And now, to top it off, youâre being framed by some girl, I canât fathom what sort of upbringing she had.â
Nolan frowned and instinctively defended, âSheâs not like that. Sheâs nothing like her father, and I bet she doesnât even know what heâs got himself into.â
It was the first time Nolan spoke up for someone else, so the elders exchanged knowing glances. It seemed that the girl had a shot at him.
âIf you really do have feelings for this girl, why not just accept it and bring her into the family? Who knows what you might have to deal with in the future?â Palmer suggested.
Nevertheless, Nolan shook his head, âIâm not certain yet. I just know what kind of person she is.â
Since Nolan had spoken his mind, the family had nothing more to worry about. But still, the situation was irksome. They were supposed to be enjoying a family reunion, and now, it was marred by this mess with Francis.
Bad luck seemed to be in the air, and they had no idea how far Francis was willing to go.
The next morning, Lucy sent a message to Nolan, who was on his way to work, in a hurry urging him to respond as soon as he saw it.
Nolan had never seen Lucy so panicked; she even had it all under control during her first months as an intern.
âMr. Harris, someone anonymously sent a video to all our companyâs employee inboxes featuring you and an unknown woman. Theyâre threatening to blow this up if you donât take responsibility!
Iâve had our team pull the videos as fast as they could, but Iâm not sure if there have been any leaks,â
Lucyâs voice carried a hint of guilt. She wondered if she couldâve done better as his. secretary, especially in keeping the staff from leaking the videos.
Nolan gripped the steering wheel, his forearms tense with veins popping.
Francis seemed more reckless than Nolan had anticipated, and sadly, Regina was paying the price for her fatherâs actions, who was now nowhere to be found.
This time, Nolan couldnât keep things under control, especially with the video leaking into their social circle and reaching his family.
âNolan, didnât you say youâd have this sorted out in a couple of days? Why is it blowing up even more?â
Aline called to ask, âEven your grandfatherâs old army buddies have been inquiring. The stress has made both elders fall ill.â
Though Aline didnât outright blame him, Nolan could feel the anger. His family, whom he cherished, was being hurt by outsiders.
The grandparents were too old for such shocks; Nolan was grateful they had kept their composure until now, but Francis was relentless in his provocation.
âMom, tell Dad when you go back that since theyâre so keen on joining the Harris family, Iâll let them: I want her to understand that the Harris family isnât so easy to get into.â
Aline, still concerned after hearing it, replied, âBut you said that girl might not be involved. Could this hurt her?â