Chapter 120 Betrayed
Harriet had morning clinic hours and went out for consultations in the afternoon.
After lunch, she first went to the Coleman family.
Flora was recovering well from her surgery, but emotionally things weren't going so smoothly.
She was a clear-headed and rational person who couldn't accept her husband's betrayal. She firmly decided on divorce, and Nash had already moved out.
After being the wife of a wealthy heir for so many years, she wasn't someone to be pushed around. In the divorce, she was determined to get what she deserved - she demanded half of Nash's assets.
The assets she got would all go to their daughter Allegra Coleman. What remained with Nash would eventually be half passed to Allegra too, ensuring Allegra would control most of the Coleman family fortune without any worries.
Despite everything, Nash still had some conscience left from their years together and had no objections to this.
But her mother-in-law jumped out to stop it, saying the family fortune should be left to grandsons, that granddaughters would marry into other families and didn't deserve a penny.
Flora was furious and became even more determined to fight for Allegra.
Harriet quietly listened to Flora pour out her troubles, occasionally handing her tissues and offering a few words of comfort.
Venting was good for her - the worst thing was having nowhere to release your feelings and getting sick from bottling them up.
After Flora finished crying, she drank some hot tea and felt much better.
"Harriet, I'm so sorry," Flora said apologetically. "Making you listen to all this negativity."
"Talking about it is good for your mood, and when your mood is good, your body is good, so this is part of my job too," Harriet smiled. "Besides, we're friends, and friends are there for you when you need them. This is what I should do. I just wish I could help you in other ways, but I'm limited."
"Even you can't help, let alone most people," Flora said. "A few wealthy ladies I'm close with did point me toward a solution, but it's just not possible."
"What solution?"
"Since we can't divorce peacefully, we'll have to go to court. But I'm a housewife - if it comes to that, how could I possibly fight the Coleman family? I heard Nash's mother has already had Nash start transferring assets, so I need to find a lawyer to help."
"Is it hard to find a lawyer?"
"Lawyers are easy to find, but one who can guarantee a win isn't. Have you heard of Finnegan Savoy?"
"No."
"You don't even know Finnegan?" Flora was surprised. "He's the most famous lawyer in Athenia. His office is always packed. They say there's no case he can't win. If I could get him as my lawyer, my chances would be much better."
Harriet was curious, "So has this Finnegan been hired by Mr. Coleman?"
"No, it's that he's very selective. Cases that reach him go through layers of screening, and he never takes divorce cases," Flora looked worried. "Plus he's not in the country. I contacted his office and was directly rejected. They said even if he were here, he wouldn't take divorce cases."
Harriet thought for a moment, "Should I ask Tristan if he knows any good lawyers to recommend?"
"That would be good, better than nothing," Flora took a sip of tea. "Enough about me, let's talk about you. How have you been these past few days?"
Harriet's lips curved slightly, "Pretty good."
Flora teased, "I can tell from how good you look. Mr. Lancaster didn't marry Lark, so you two got back together?"
Harriet nodded, "Yes."
"I heard Mr. Lancaster was kicked out of the Lancaster Group for breaking off the engagement. Is that true?"
"Yes."
"The Lancaster family has such a huge fortune, Mr. Lancaster really has guts," Flora said to herself. "I actually thought you and Mr. Johnson might have a chance together."
Harriet didn't quite catch that, "What?"
Flora suddenly realized what she'd said. She wanted to deny it, but couldn't help speaking up, "Haven't you noticed that Nolan likes you?"
"How is that possible?" Harriet said without hesitation. "Nolan and I are just ordinary friends, and he deeply loved his late wife. Where did you hear this? You can't say things like that."
"He admitted it himself," Flora explained. "How could I lie to you?"
Harriet froze, "He admitted it himself?"
"Yes, on the wedding day, he said it himself. But only if you and Mr. Lancaster got divorced. Mr. Johnson is gentle and has good values - he wouldn't pursue you while you're still married. So I thought after you and Mr. Lancaster divorced, he'd be your first suitor."
Harriet fell into thought.
"Harriet, are you okay?" Flora asked. "Should I not have said this? After all, you and Mr. Lancaster didn't divorce. But I think you have the right to know how Mr. Johnson feels about you."
"Thank you for telling me this," Harriet collected herself. "I'm just finding it hard to believe, since his wife passed away not long ago."
"Harriet, I know what you want to say, but I want to advise you - don't take feelings too seriously," Flora said earnestly. "I actually think Mr. Johnson's approach is good, moving on in the shortest time and entering the next relationship."
"There's an old saying - loving too deeply brings no good. I'm the best example. If I could do it over, I definitely wouldn't have loved Nash so deeply."
That evening, Tristan came to pick up Harriet right on time.
On the way home, Harriet immediately asked about Flora, "Tristan, you know a lot of people. Do you know any good lawyers you could recommend to Mrs. Coleman to help with her divorce case?"
"They're getting divorced?"
"Of course they are. Mr. Coleman betrayed her, started another family and had an illegitimate child. Why would she stay married to him?"
Tristan smiled, "So who does she want as her lawyer?"
"She said there's a lawyer named Finnegan who's really good, but he won't take her case. That's why she wants you to help recommend a good lawyer. She can't just be betrayed and then bullied by her in-laws too. She needs to get what's rightfully hers."
"Okay, I'll look around for her."
Harriet said happily, "I'll thank you on her behalf."
Tristan was in a good mood, "My wife asked, how could I not help?"
"My hand injury has healed. To show my thanks, I'll cook dinner for you tonight."
"Okay."
These past few days they'd been eating at home, but ordering in.
Tristan ordered from high-end restaurants with good ingredients and taste.
But Harriet still preferred cooking at home - it felt more like home.
Harriet ordered fresh ingredients on the way, and by the time they got home, they'd already been delivered to the door.
She changed into home clothes, put on an apron, and got busy in the kitchen.
Tristan came in, "Need any help?"
"No, your back injury needs more rest. Go lie down on the bed, I'll call you when dinner's ready."
"Okay."
Tristan took a shower first, then went to the study.
Over an hour later, Harriet came knocking, "Didn't I tell you to lie down on the bed?"
Tristan closed his laptop, "Had some things to take care of."
"Dinner's ready."
"Okay."
They came to the dining room - three dishes and a soup. Though the presentation couldn't match restaurant food, Harriet's cooking always suited Tristan's taste.
They ate and chatted, and night fell slowly amid their laughter.
Harriet was busy with work during the day and didn't have much time to exercise, so in the evenings she'd work out in the home gym.
When Tristan opened the door, he saw Harriet in yoga clothes doing yoga.
The tight fabric outlined her graceful curves, her waist completely exposed.
Harriet was thin, but had great proportions - slim waist, long legs, and smooth skin.
She was completing a difficult pose, making Tristan's imagination run wild.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he quickly closed the door.
If he kept watching, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself.
Tristan returned to bed and picked up a book, trying to calm himself down.
He'd finally managed to focus on reading when Harriet opened the door and came in, "Tristan, I want to discuss something with you."
She was still wearing her yoga outfit, her slim waist exposed, stimulating his visual nerves.
Tristan's Adam's apple bobbed, "What is it?"
"After being kidnapped last time, I realized I'm just too weak. I want to learn some self-defense. Can you help me find a coach?"
"You don't need to," Tristan said. "I'll protect you."
"I'm not your accessory - I can't be attached to you 24 hours a day," Harriet insisted on her idea. "Best if I never need it, but if I really run into danger and can protect myself even once, it'll be worth it. Don't you think?"
"But self-defense instructors are usually men."
Women learned self-defense mainly to defend against men, so male instructors made the training more practical.
And there would be a lot of physical contact during training.