"Chrys, do you have a copy of the student paper?" I asked the moment I walked in, not even bothering to drop my bags first.

"Hello to you, too," she replied, her tone laced with sarcasm, though she was already reaching for her iPad. She must have caught something in my expression because she didn't push it further.

"I don't have a hard copy, but it's online. Here—it's in my favourites."

"Thanks, Chrys," I murmured, barely acknowledging her as I took the device and sank onto the sofa.

She sat next to me, watching closely. "What is it?"

"Just give me a minute." I scrolled down the page, my eyes darting over the words, skimming past the fluff until I landed on what I was looking for.

Manhunt 2025 by Brenda Thomas.

There it was.

I mumbled as I read, barely noticing Chrys shifting beside me. "Charlie Harrison, heading the committee is... here it is. Mrs. Harrison, Chair of the Harrison Foundation."

"Charlie as in Harry's Charlie?" Chrys asked, her curiosity sharpening.

I nodded, my eyes still glued to the screen.

"As in the bitch who threatened you and poured a drink down your back?"

Another nod.

I opened a second tab and searched for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors, and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. We believe a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides us and inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve...

Then I saw it—Harrison Enterprises listed among the biggest donors.

My heart clenched.

All this time.

All this time I had assumed the worst. I had thought Harry was sleeping his way to the top, playing the game for money and exposure. And yet, the answer had been sitting right in front of me, plain as day.

The late nights, the constant need for work, the "complicated" situation with Charlie.

He wasn't doing this for himself.

He was doing it for someone else.

"God," I exhaled, rubbing my face.

"What?" Chrys leaned in, clearly trying to keep up. "What is it?"

I finally turned to her and let it all out—the way things had suddenly clicked into place, the way I had been blind to what was right in front of me.

Chrys was just as stunned as I was.

"Why didn't he just say something?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Would you? If you were him?"

She frowned, considering it. "No. I guess not."

We sat in silence for a moment before she perked up. "Maybe my parents can help."

I hesitated. "Chrys, it's a lot of money."

She waved that off. "That's not the point. When rich people donate, it's not just out of the kindness of their hearts. It's also about taxes, exposure, business. If I bring it up the right way, it could actually help them, too. And once they donate, their friends might follow. It's worth a shot."

I nodded slowly. "You really think they'd go for it?"

"If we make a proper case, why not?" she said, already forming a plan.

It made sense.

But what if I was wrong? What if this wasn't why he was with Charlie? What if it really was about the money and the contract?

Except... I knew better.

I wasn't delusional. Harry was a flirt, a player, the kind of guy who knew exactly what to say and when to say it. But Charlie wasn't just some random girl he'd hooked up with. She had something over him.

And now, I finally understood what it was.

I didn't even remember getting ready for work that night. I was too lost in my own thoughts, replaying every conversation, every little clue I had missed. By the time my shift ended, I was running on autopilot.

Ed caught up with me as we left the club. "Hey, Harry wants to know if we can go by his place tomorrow afternoon to hang out."

I fished for my keys in my bag. "What, are you two best buds now?"

"Yep. Or did you think that title was reserved only for you?" He smirked.

I rolled my eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I saw how close you two got at the cabin."

I sighed. "Nothing happened."

"Nothing?" He arched a brow.

"Nothing," I repeated, my patience thinning.

"I saw how you looked at him."

I stopped walking. "How did I look at him?"

Ed's smirk widened. "Like you want him."

I groaned. "I did not."

"Why are you getting so defensive?" He nudged me playfully. "He was looking at you the same way. I'm telling you, this invitation is just his way of making sure you show up without making it too obvious he only wants you there."

I scoffed. "Ed, we just got closer. That's it."

He laughed. "Ella, you and I are friends. Chrys—I want to f—"

"Jesus Christ, you're disgusting."

"Just saying," he shrugged. "That's the difference. What should I tell Harry?"

I exhaled. "I'll text him tomorrow."

When I finally collapsed into bed, my mind was still running a mile a minute.

The next morning, I had barely made it out of my last class when my phone buzzed.

Harry: Hi! Are you coming over this afternoon?

I smiled.

Me: Hi back at you! Missed me already?

Harry: No. I was thinking you were missing ME, so as a philanthropist, I'm doing you a favour ;)

Me: I'm touched.

Harry: So?

Me: Soooo?

Harry: Are you coming?

Me: How much do you want me to come?

Harry: Oh, I want you to come, baby, but we can't do that with other people in the house. Unless that's your kink.

My mouth fell open.

Me: You're such a pig! The only way for me to come that way in your apartment is if I sleep with Johnny.

His reply came instantly.

Harry: You killed me. I'm seriously lmao. Please do come.

I laughed to myself, shaking my head.

Me: I will, you dork. I'm coming.

Harry: I love how that sounds in my head.

Me: Shut it or else...

Harry: Shutting it. See you soon. Everyone will be here at 3 p.m.

Me: OK.

It was light, fun, exactly how we always were. But that didn't stop the nagging feeling in my gut.

Chrys and I spent the afternoon coming up with ideas for raising money, drafting a plan, printing it out. I was nervous, but it felt right. I just needed to figure out how to bring it up without making him feel like a charity case.

On my way to his place, I grabbed pastries from the bakery and pulled into the parking lot across from his building. I was about to pay for my ticket when I spotted a familiar figure walking up to the entrance.

Charlie.

My stomach twisted.

My phone buzzed.

Harry: Are you close? ;)

I stared at the screen, then at the woman walking through his door.

I typed quickly.

Me: I'm sorry, Harry. Something came up. I won't be able to make it.

A few seconds later.

Harry: What? You can't be serious?

I swallowed hard, gripping the wheel.

Then another message.

Harry: I swear to God, I didn't know she was coming over.

I closed my eyes.

Me: I don't know what you're talking about :)

Harry: I saw your car.

I hesitated.

Harry: For what it's worth, I apologize. And thank you. For not making it weird.

I put my car into drive and left.