Chapter 101 Caressed
Seeing Tristan remain silent, Owen knew he had him cornered.
"Take these days to recover from your injuries. After the wedding, the Lancaster Group will be handed back to you." Owen stubbed out his half-smoked cigar and stood up. "I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be going. Oh, and your mother has always wanted to take a family portrait. When she returns, let's take some nice photos together as a family to fulfill her wish."
Tristan watched his figure disappear through the doorway, a smile playing at his lips, though his eyes were bone-chillingly cold.
"Since you're so looking forward to it, I'll give you what you want. Just don't regret it when the time comes."
When Lark learned the wedding would proceed as planned, she was so happy she nearly jumped for joy.
To deal with Tristan, you really did need Owen to put pressure on him.
Lark was about to open champagne to celebrate when her phone suddenly received a video.
After watching it, her face turned livid with anger.
Her phone suddenly rang. She immediately answered, "How did you get this video?"
"I have my ways. Such good stuff, of course I had to share it with you. I also wanted to let you see what your future husband has been doing behind your back."
Lark was shaking with rage.
She recognized the location in the video - it was outside the restroom of the restaurant where she'd had dinner with Tristan that day.
The video showed clearly: Harriet came out of the restroom and was immediately pulled by Tristan into a nearby storage room.
Looking at the time, a full ten minutes passed before Tristan came out.
A few minutes later, Harriet emerged, her hair disheveled, her steps unsteady - clearly looking like she'd been intimate with a man.
Lark was going crazy with anger. So right after Tristan refused to marry her, he went straight to get cozy with Harriet!
Though considering the timing, Tristan finished rather quickly.
But he was injured, so ending hastily was normal.
"Looks like Ms. Brown doesn't have enough charm," the person on the phone mocked. "Even if Tristan marries you under pressure from his father, can you guarantee you'll attract him the way Harriet does?"
"Shut up!" Lark snapped. "I'm the legitimate Mrs. Lancaster. What right does that bitch Harriet have to be compared to me!"
"There's no use raging at me. I sent you this video to give you a heads up - don't think you've already won. The road ahead won't be easy for you."
"You're right. Now more than ever, I can't let my guard down." Lark forced herself to calm down. "I need to find a way to make sure those two can never get tangled up together again."
The other person laughed. "I'm looking forward to seeing what Ms. Brown comes up with."
Lark took a deep breath and completely calmed down. "Who are you? Why are you helping me? Last time you told me Tristan's kidney wasn't really damaged, today you sent me this video - what exactly are you after?"
"Does my purpose matter? What matters is that I've been helping you all along."
"You are helping me, but you must have your own purpose. I'm guessing you're someone I know - otherwise why would you use a voice changer to hide your real voice?"
"That doesn't change the fact that I'm helping you." The other person chuckled. "Don't worry, when the time is right, you'll know who I am."
Lark wanted to press further, but the other person had already hung up.
Lark didn't call back. Who this person was didn't matter that much. Right now, the most important thing was dealing with Harriet.
She'd originally thought the divorce would cut them off cleanly, but now it seemed that without getting rid of Harriet, there would always be a risk of them getting back together.
Harriet soon found an apartment near the clinic.
A nearly 6,000 square foot penthouse - she was very satisfied with both the location and the layout. Plus it was already renovated, and the owner had barely lived there before moving abroad, so the place was practically new, and even the decor matched her taste.
The only downside was the price was too expensive.
Nearly $200 million - she simply couldn't afford it.
Ian had decided to open clinics in other areas to treat more people who couldn't afford medical care.
So Harriet gave half her income to the clinic, as her way of contributing.
The savings she had couldn't possibly buy such an expensive property.
Owen had given her $300 million, but she didn't plan to use it.
After she and Tristan divorced, she would return the check to Owen.
"Ms. Getty, this property really is rare. You treated my mother, so I specifically snatched it from other colleagues to show you." The agent smiled warmly.
"The place is great, but it's beyond my budget," Harriet said honestly. "I can't afford such an expensive property. Could you please keep an eye out for something cheaper?"
"Sure, you're living alone anyway, you really don't need to buy something this big. Don't worry, I'll help you find something satisfactory."
"Thank you."
What Harriet didn't expect was that two days later, the agent contacted her.
"Ms. Getty, the property has been successfully secured. When are you available to transfer the title?"
Harriet was confused. "What do you mean? I haven't bought it yet. What transfer?"
"Your grandmother bought it for you. Turns out Ms. Getty is wealthy."
Harriet quickly guessed. "My grandmother paid for it?"
"Yes, paid in full, and bought you three parking spaces too. She also asked me to prepay ten years of property management fees. Very generous!"
"I see."
Harriet hung up and immediately called Haven.
"Harriet?" Haven answered cheerfully.
"Grandma, did you buy me a house?"
"I happened to hear you were looking for a place, so I asked Iris to check it out. The property was nice, so I took the liberty of buying it for you."
"Grandma, the house is too expensive. I wasn't planning to take it."
"As long as our Harriet likes it, money is nothing. I'll buy you anything, no matter how expensive."
"Grandma," Harriet didn't know what to say. "Are you really not angry with me?"
"Silly child, I've been through a lot in my life. You can fool everyone else, but not me. I don't believe what you said that day, but since you've already made your decision, I won't force you to stay."
Haven sighed. "Over three years ago, I was the one who forced you and Tristan together as husband and wife. Now you're ending in divorce - perhaps you were destined to have a connection but no fate together."
Harriet was already in tears. "Grandma, what if everything I said was true, and I really am an ungrateful person?"
"So what?" Haven answered without hesitation. "Nobody's perfect. These years, it's true you sacrificed for Tristan, and it's true you've been good to me. Like you said, you just chose a path that's better for yourself. So even if what you said is true, I won't be angry with you."
"What I said hasn't changed. From now on, you are my granddaughter. Tristan will soon marry Lark, but there will always be a place for you in the Lancaster family."
Harriet froze.
So they really were getting married.
Dense, intricate pain spread through Harriet's heart, instantly extending to her entire body.
Harriet forced down the stabbing pain in her chest and said, "Grandma, that's good news. Congratulations."
"I don't know why either - they suddenly decided to get married, and the wedding is already being planned." Haven sighed. "I'm old now. Even when I try to intervene, no one listens to me anymore. But never mind that. Harriet, live well, and remember to call me if you need anything."
"Okay."
The next day, Harriet received a call from an unknown number.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Harriet, it's me." Lark's sweet, laughing voice came through. "I'm throwing a pre-wedding party tonight. Come join us."