Chapter 121 Unfolding the Pursuit
Harriet understood - Tristan's possessiveness was acting up again.
But she still wanted to try, "But I think learning this is really useful. How about you find me a female instructor then?"
Tristan raised an eyebrow, "You really want to learn that badly?"
Harriet nodded, "Yes!"
"Then I'll teach you."
"You?"
"What, think I can't teach you well?"
"No." Harriet quickly explained, "I just think you're too excellent, and I might not be a smart student. I'm worried you'll get frustrated teaching me."
Tristan chuckled, "Mrs. Lancaster is quite self-aware."
Harriet pouted - she was just being modest.
"Then it's settled. We'll start lessons tomorrow." Tristan's eyes deepened, "But Mrs. Lancaster, shouldn't you pay some tuition first?"
"Sure." Harriet agreed readily, "Name your price."
"So generous, then I won't hold back."
Harriet was about to ask how much he wanted when he suddenly leaned in and kissed her lips.
Harriet's eyes widened - so this was the tuition Tristan meant!
In that moment of shock, Tristan had already pressed her into the bedding. As their lips and tongues intertwined, their breathing became urgent.
Harriet slowly closed her eyes, responding to him carefully.
After a long while, they finally stopped, both breathless.
Harriet's face was flushed red, whether from holding her breath or embarrassment.
She didn't dare look directly at Tristan's desire-filled eyes. Thinking about his inability to have sex made her heart ache.
"I should go shower."Harriet didn't dare let him see her heartache right now, because her sympathy would also hurt his male pride.
"Okay."
The next day was Saturday, and Harriet went to the Johnson family as usual to see Chase.
She spent the afternoon playing with Chase. When a servant mentioned that Nolan had come home, she went to his study.
"Harriet, have a seat." Nolan greeted her, "I worked overtime at the company today and came back late. How's Chase?"
"Chase is doing great physically, and he's in good spirits. He really likes the two new nannies, and he's adjusted to the new kindergarten. I believe things will keep getting better."
Nolan poured her a glass of water, "That's good. Thanks for all your hard work."
"It's what I should do." Harriet took a sip of water and said, "Actually, I came today because there's something I want to discuss with you."
"Go ahead."
Harriet got straight to the point, "Tristan and I have talked things through and made up. You know he's very possessive, and he has some misunderstandings about us - he even shot and hurt you last time because of it."
"His physical condition is different from before now, so he's more sensitive psychologically. He doesn't like me having too much contact with other men, so I think we should try to avoid meeting to prevent any misunderstandings."
"I'll still spend half a day each week with Chase until he doesn't need me anymore, but I'd like to change the meeting place to my house. I'll have the driver pick him up each week, and after dinner, take him back home. Do you think that would work?"
Nolan listened quietly to everything she said, then smiled faintly, "Harriet, did you hear something?"
"What?"
Nolan was direct, "Did Mrs. Coleman tell you something?"
Harriet paused, not denying it, "So what she said is true?"
"Yes." Nolan looked at her calmly, his face wearing a warm, gentle smile, "There's nothing shameful about a single man liking a woman and planning to pursue her once she's single again. The only miscalculation was that she didn't end up single after all."
Harriet hadn't expected him to be so straightforward. Her mind went blank for a moment.
She took a deep breath and said calmly, "Mr. Johnson, I'm grateful for your feelings, but we can't be together."
Hearing her change how she addressed him, Nolan already knew her attitude.
"Harriet, I was too forward. I'm sorry." Nolan looked at her seriously, "But I still want to know - where did I lose? Is it because I was married before and have a child?"
Harriet shook her head, "You're wonderful, and Chase is adorable. I'm sure there are many women in this world who would want to build a family with you."
"Then I came too late." Nolan smiled faintly, "If only I could have met you earlier..."
"Mr. Johnson!" Harriet interrupted him, her expression serious, "How can you say something like that? Meet me earlier? How early? Before your marriage? Where would that leave your wife? After marriage? Are you talking about having an affair?"
Nolan realized what he'd said, "Sorry, I didn't mean it that way."
"There are many missed connections in this world, but many things are just fate. Like the car accident Tristan had that bound us together, like how you and I could never be together - we should accept what fate arranges."
"I understand." Nolan let out a long sigh, "Don't worry, I won't cause you any more trouble. As for Chase, I'll follow whatever arrangements you make. Just tell me in advance where to send him, and I'll arrange for someone to take Chase there."
"Thank you."
Harriet felt relieved.
She preferred simple, transparent relationships, so she made things clear with Nolan right away.
Harriet needed to go to the supermarket to buy groceries, so she didn't have Tristan pick her up from the Johnson family.
When she came home carrying two bags of groceries, Tristan was busy in his study.
"Didn't you say you don't have work anymore?" Harriet asked curiously, "Why are you still on the computer every day?"
"I can't let Mrs. Lancaster support me for the rest of my life." Tristan explained, "I'm looking at potential investment projects."
"Then take your time. I'll go cook."
Harriet had just walked into the kitchen and started washing vegetables when Tristan's arms wrapped around her waist from behind.
Her back pressed against his chest, warm.
"Weren't you looking at investments?"
"I haven't seen you all afternoon. I wanted to be with you." Tristan's lips were at her ear, his warm breath tickling her. She said, "I'm cooking. Don't distract me."
"Did you see Nolan this afternoon?"
"Yes."
"What did you talk about?"
A gleam of mischief flashed in Harriet's eyes, "We talked about so much, I don't even know where to start."
Tristan's face instantly turned cold, and he said darkly, "Mrs. Lancaster, I'm giving you one more chance. Talk properly."
Harriet couldn't help but laugh, "You're actually getting mad? So petty!"
Tristan couldn't help pinching her waist, "Who's petty?"
Harriet was ticklish and quickly begged for mercy, "Me! I'm the petty one!"
She turned her head and looked at him seriously, "I talked to Mr. Johnson and we agreed that Chase and I will meet outside from now on. I don't need to go to the Johnson family anymore."
"Why did you suddenly decide that?"
"I'm a married woman. It's only right to keep my distance from other men."
Tristan lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
He'd never really paid attention to her before.
It turned out Haven's judgment was really good - Harriet truly was an excellent wife.
He owed her too much, and he would make it up to her gradually.
For the rest of his life.
That evening, Harriet began her self-defense lessons.
Tristan took her to the gym and pointed at the punching bag, "You girls generally have less strength, so start training with this."
"Mr. Lancaster, you actually seem really professional."
"Even if you compliment me, I won't go easy on you. Let's begin."
Tristan was very patient but also very strict. After over an hour, Harriet felt more tired than after a day of work.
Harriet took a hot bath to relax, then came out ready to sleep.
Tristan returned after showering in the guest bedroom and pushed her shoulder, "Don't sleep yet, we need to practice something else."
"Really?" Harriet was puzzled, "I already took a shower."
"You can practice other things after showering."
"What?"
"Close combat."
After saying this, Tristan leaned over and pinned her down, "Try to escape from my hold."
Harriet froze, "Are you sure this is practicing self-defense?"
And not something else entirely?
Tristan raised an eyebrow and asked back, "What do you want it to be?"
"Nothing." Harriet swallowed and said, "Mr. Lancaster, your teaching method is wrong."
"What's wrong with it?"
"If a bad guy had me pinned down like this, I'd definitely go for his most vulnerable spot and strike accurately to have any hope of escaping. That's what I did last time in Luminara City."
A man's most vulnerable spot was obviously his groin.
But how could she possibly do that to Tristan?
"Mrs. Lancaster is right, my teaching method is indeed wrong." Tristan's lips curved, "Today's lesson is over. This isn't teaching time anymore, this is..."
Harriet was about to ask what it was when he lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Harriet couldn't speak anymore.
She knew he had other intentions!