Chapter 135

Chapter 135

The hospital room was quiet. Jay reclined against the headboard, his face pale and drawn.

When Harper entered, a flicker of light sparked in his cloudy eyes before fading into a weary sigh.

"Harper's here." Jay patted the chair beside the bed, gesturing for her to sit.

"Grandpa, how are you feeling?" Harper set the gift basket aside and poured a glass of water, passing it to him.

"Same old problems. Won't kill me yet." Jay accepted the glass, his gaze complex as he studied her.

He'd been following the news—Starlight Building's international breakthrough, Harper's meteoric rise. The young woman before him bore no trace of the subdued, accommodating daughter-in-law who'd once walked the halls of the Martinez estate. Now she radiated confidence and self-possession.

"Harper, Brandon went overseas. Before he left, he came to see me." Jay spoke slowly, his tone probing. "He said he regrets divorcing you."

Harper's expression didn't waver. She met Jay's eyes with calm, unwavering certainty. "Grandpa, I came here today to make something clear. Brandon and I—there's no going back. Ever."

Silence settled over the room like fresh snow.

Jay studied her clear, resolute gaze and understood there would be no second chances.

"Brandon doesn't deserve you. The Martinez family failed you." Jay's eyes reddened slightly as he reached out to pat her hand. "These past three years, we put you through hell. But now, seeing you thrive like this—I'm proud of you. Even divorced, the Martinez family's door will always be open to you. Think of me as your grandfather, blood or not."

"Thank you, Grandpa." Harper's nose tingled with emotion as she squeezed his hand.

Leaving the hospital, Harper felt the last weight lift from her chest.

 

Early the following month, the prestigious design academy's centennial celebration arrived.

As an honored alumna, Harper strode into the grand auditorium in a sleek black tailored suit of her own design, her heels clicking confidently against marble floors.

Her entrance turned heads immediately.

The front rows were reserved for distinguished guests and notable alumni.

Harper found her assigned seat and had just settled in when a warm voice spoke beside her.

"Harper."

She turned to find Robert in an impeccably fitted light gray suit, smiling at her.

As one of the academy's most accomplished graduates, he'd naturally been invited as well.

"Robert." Harper returned his smile, exchanging pleasantries about Starlight Building's recent ventures.

They were mid-conversation when the seat to her right scraped back.

A tall, imposing figure dropped into the chair.

Chase wore a black tactical jacket that clashed spectacularly with the sea of business suits around him, yet his presence commanded attention with cold, military precision.

As Vista Apparel's representative and one of the event's major sponsors, he'd been seated directly beside Harper.

"Ms. Anderson." Chase turned his head, dark eyes meeting hers briefly before he nodded.

"Mr. Rodriguez. What a coincidence." Harper responded politely.

Robert glanced at Chase, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses with a pleasant smile. "Mr. Rodriguez, a pleasure."

Chase's gaze swept over him with cool indifference. "Mr. Davis."

The air between them crackled with subtle tension.

Harper sat between them—Robert's gentle warmth on her left, Chase's cold steel on her right.

The trio's striking appearance instantly became the focal point of the entire auditorium.

Whispers rippled through the rows behind them.

"Look at the front row! That's Harper Anderson from Starlight Building, right? She's gorgeous!"

"Who are those two insanely hot guys next to her? The one on the left looks so gentle, but the one on the right—that aura!"

"I heard she just got divorced. This is better than a soap opera..."

Harper caught fragments of the gossip but kept her expression neutral as she reviewed her speech notes.

 

The ceremony concluded triumphantly. Harper's speech was crisp and commanding, earning thunderous applause.

But the real storm erupted online.

A candid photo from the front row went viral across social media.

In the image, Harper sat centered between Robert and Chase.

The trio's devastating good looks and the palpable tension between them ignited the internet.

#Harper Starlight Building Founder

#Painful Choices Divorcée's Revenge

The comment section exploded.

Netizens gleefully speculated about romantic entanglements between the newly divorced designer and two elite bachelors.

In the car heading to dinner, Harper scrolled through her phone with detached amusement.

She couldn't care less about the gossip, but Starlight Building's search traffic had tripled. That mattered.

She locked her phone and closed her eyes.

 

The evening banquet occupied the entire rooftop terrace of a Michelin three-star restaurant downtown. The academy had reserved the exclusive space.

Harper stood with a champagne flute, conversing with several business school professors.

The rotating glass doors swept open. A server ushered in several guests.

The man leading them wore a sharp black suit, his tall frame radiating intimidating authority.

Brandon.

He was clearly here for business, flanked by foreign executives.

Academy leadership spotted him immediately and rushed over. The Martinez Group was a major donor.

After brief pleasantries, the dean enthusiastically guided Brandon toward Harper's table.

"Mr. Martinez, this is Harper Anderson from Starlight Building—one of our academy's most distinguished alumni." The dean beamed, clearly unaware of their former marriage.

The air froze.

Robert adjusted his glasses, his gaze darkening. Chase stood with one hand in his pocket, observing coldly.

Brandon's eyes locked onto Harper.

She wore that sleek black suit—radiant, composed, utterly untouchable. A beautiful stranger.

Harper didn't avoid his gaze. She raised her champagne glass naturally, her lips curving into a perfect professional smile.

"Mr. Martinez. A pleasure."

Polite. Distant. Emotionless.

Brandon's jaw tightened. He watched her extended hand, his throat working as he swallowed hard.

He reached out, his fingers barely grazing hers.

"Ms. Anderson. The pleasure's mine." His voice came out low and rough, laced with barely concealed hoarseness.

Their hands separated immediately.

Harper turned back to her conversation with the professor, discussing market trends without sparing Brandon another glance.

Brandon stood rooted in place, staring at her profile. His chest felt packed with broken glass.

 

The banquet ended at ten-thirty.

Robert took a phone call, his expression shifting.