Mr. Harrison remained silent, simply waving a hand for the Department of Defense guards to take the man away.
Initially, Tyler was only being fired from the institute.
But now.
For assaulting a nationally-renowned professor, he'd be doing time in prison.
"Serena, I'm truly sorry. I never thought you'd have to witness something like this," Mr. Harrison said, looking embarrassed.
Serena typically only came to the institute for critical situations like today's, which they couldn't handle on their own.
He couldn't believe something like this had happened during one of her rare visits.
"As long as you're not hurt," Serena replied, largely unfazed.
Mr. Harrison smiled. "You pulled me out of the way, didn't you? It's getting late. Why don't you stay in the institute's dormitory tonight? I've had your room kept clean."
He had been trying to convince Serena to take over as director of the institute for years.
Serena glanced at the time and shook her head. "I have to go back. I need to give my grandfather massage first thing in the morning."
To help the old man manage the pain during his treatment, she had prepared a special medicated bath for him to soak in for two days to relax his leg muscles.
Tomorrow was the day to begin the treatment.
Besides...
If she didn't go home, her family would probably wait up for her all night.
"Good, good. Our Serena has a family that cares for her now," Mr. Harrison's expression softened into one of fatherly affection. He no longer called her by the formal "Miss Lancaster."
He continued with a sigh, "I haven't
seen you smile since you returned to the Wynn family four years ago 1 can tell you're getting along well with your real family and that puts my mind at ease."
Serena's lips curved into a slight smile as she gave a soft "Mm."
The two of them had just passed through the final security checkpoint of the institute.
"Mr. Harrison!"
Isabella, who had been lying in wait, stepped out from the shadows.
She forced a stiff smile onto her face, her eyes darting between Serena and Mr. Harrison before landing squarely on Serena. "Serena."
"Why are you still here?" Mr. Harrison frowned. "I told you, if you need something, make an appointment through the university."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Harrison." Isabella clenched her fists, keenly aware of his displeasure.
Originally, she had come to see Mr. Harrison today to secure a spot as his student, to get a firm commitment from him.
But now...
It was clear he was annoyed and impatient with her.
Isabella suppressed the turmoil in her heart and put on a gentle smile, glancing again at Serena. "I was just thinking, it's so late. I was worried about my sister Serena going home alone, so wanted to wait here and got
go back with her."
Then, adopting a dignified and graceful posture, she gave Mr. Harrison a slight bow.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Harrison. Serena can be thoughtless, keeping you this late."
In a desperate attempt to salvage her image in Mr. Harrison's eyes, Isabella had to swallow her disgust for Serena and pretend to be a concerned sister. She had to use their relationship to her advantage.
After all...
Mr. Harrison's attitude toward Serena was highly unusual.