Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 248

Harrison's smile faded slightly. "You don't mind that my heart is taken?"

Clara shot him a look.

"Harrison, I'm looking for a business partner, not a twenty-four-seven soulmate."

She paused, then added, "But I have limits. You can have a past, and you can harbor unspoken feelings. But you don't get to enjoy the perks of my cooperation while forcing me to foot the bill for your tragic romance."

Harrison fell silent for a long time.

Her words immediately reminded him of Lawrence.

What Lawrence excelled at more than anything was forcing others to pay for his emotional baggage.

Wren had paid for it.

Leo was paying for it now.

Harrison had absolutely no desire to become a man like that.

"If we go through with this partnership," he said, "I will respect you."

Clara offered a small smile. "'Respect' is too abstract. Put it in the contract."

Harrison laughed.

"Deal."

By the time their discussion concluded, the sky had grown dark.

Clara left first, but she turned around just as she reached the door.

"Harrison."

"Hmm?"

"Regarding Wren... if she truly intends to divorce, you'd better not rush to play the hero."

Harrison stared at her.

Clara's tone was incredibly flat. "A woman fresh out of a toxic marriage doesn't need another man instantly proving she's worthy of love. What she needs is to reclaim herself first."

Harrison didn't say a word.

After a beat, he nodded.

"I know."

After Clara left, Harrison sat alone in the private room for a long time.

His phone screen lit up with a text from his assistant.

"Mrs. Langford has returned to the Langford Estate for the observation period. Rumor has it her relationship with Mr. Langford is thawing."

Harrison scoffed at the word "thawing."

At ten o'clock that night, Harrison sent a formal email to Wren.

He CC'd Phoebe Price, Maya Merritt, Mr. Lawson, and the foundation's project team.

The email didn't contain a single personal pleasantry.

It outlined exactly three points:

First, the Xander Fund was willing to proceed with third-party review support for the Stellaris ethics module.

Second, he recommended bringing in The Thorne Philanthropy Trust as an independent financial auditor to mitigate any allegations of personal bias.

Third, all external communications would entirely bypass Wren Whitaker's marital status, focusing exclusively on patient rights, data boundaries, and clinical value.

After hitting send, he leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose.

The night outside was pitch black.

He didn't text Wren privately.

Nor did he ask how she was surviving at the Langford Estate.

He merely placed the work exactly where she could see it, leaving her fully free to accept or reject it.

This was the boundary he could maintain for now.

Always present, never overstepping.