Chapter 3 - The Shadow of Harrison Manor
While the Lin family took the noisy, drafty public bus back to their damp apartment, Ethan Harrison was flown in a private medical transport to the Harrison Estate—a sprawling seventy-acre compound nestled in the hills of Brookline, Massachusetts.
The manor was a fortress of glass, steel, and classical stone, but to six-year-old Ethan, it was a gilded cage.
Ethan had been paralyzed from the chest down since an mysterious automobile accident eighteen months ago—the same accident that had claimed the life of his mother, Clara. Since that dark day, Richard Harrison had transformed the manor into a state-of-the-art medical clinic, hiring round-the-clock private nurses, physical therapists, and security guards.
That evening, as storm clouds rolled over Boston, Richard sat in his massive leather-bound study, sipping scotch. Across the mahogany desk sat his younger brother, Julian Harrison.
Julian was sleek, charming, and impeccably groomed, but his eyes were always moving, always calculating. He served as the Chief Financial Officer of Harrison Dynamics.
“You’re telling me a street kid saved him?” Julian asked, a skeptical smile playing on his lips. “In the middle of Logan Airport?”
“She saved his life, Julian,” Richard said coldly, staring into his glass. “Our paid medical staff froze. Colin froze. I froze. A seven-year-old girl with safety pins on her backpack saved my son.”
Julian took a slow sip of his drink. “It’s a good public relations story, Richard. We should have the PR department run with it. 'Billionaire’s Son Rescued by Local Child.' It will boost the stock price after last quarter’s dip.”
Richard’s glass hit the desk with a sharp crack.
“She isn't a PR story, Julian!” Richard shouted. “She’s a child! Her mother refused my money. Refused it! Do you know the last time someone refused my money?”
“People who want more money usually refuse the first offer,” Julian said smoothly, though a subtle flash of irritation crossed his eyes. “Speaking of money, Richard, the board is getting anxious about the automated drone shipping division. You’re spending tens of millions on Ethan’s experimental nerve-regeneration research. Some shareholders are saying your personal tragedy is distracting you from running the company.”
Richard stood up, towering over his brother. “Ethan is my company. He is my life. If I have to liquidate half my shares to fund his recovery, I will do it. Am I clear?”
“Crystal,” Julian smiled, rising from his chair. “I’m just looking out for the family, big brother. Get some sleep. You look exhausted.”
Julian stepped out of the study and walked down the long, carpeted hallway. Once he was out of earshot of the security cameras, he pulled out an encrypted satellite phone and dialed a number.
“Colin,” Julian said, his voice dropping to a icy whisper. “That girl at the airport... find out everything about her family. Where they live, where they work, what debts they have.”
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“Why, sir?” Colin’s voice came through the speaker.
“Because my brother is emotional,” Julian replied, watching the rain beat against the estate windows. “And emotional men make mistakes. I don't want any unexpected 'heroes' getting close to Richard or changing his priorities.”
