Chapter 140 Do You Love Me
"What are you doing?" Harriet quickly reminded him, "There are so many people ahead, let's not push forward."
Tristan ignored her completely, leading her straight through the crowd and directly onto the stage.
Harriet was completely stunned.
The crowd below was even more shocked.
"How could it be Mr. Lancaster?"
"Oh my God! Mr. Lancaster is actually the CEO of Apex Global Group?"
"Mr. Owen Lancaster kept attacking Mr. Tristan Lancaster's new company, even making his own son homeless, and now he turns around and becomes the president of Apex Global Group?"
"I heard Apex Global Group's assets are a mystery, far exceeding the Lancaster family's."
A server brought wine. Tristan put one arm around Harriet's waist and picked up a glass with the other hand.
Without saying a word, everyone below had already raised their glasses.
"Mr. Lancaster, please take care of us in the future."
"Mr. Lancaster and Mrs. Lancaster are truly a perfect match."
"Congratulations, Mr. Lancaster."
Below the stage, Owen and Lark's faces looked worse than each other.
Owen's face darkened as he stared hard at Tristan.
Lark was so upset she was about to cry.
How could it be Tristan!
The man she loved was indeed heaven's favorite, never to be trampled underfoot!
She should have been the one standing beside Tristan, admired by everyone!
But now, Harriet had taken the position that should have been hers!
How could she accept this!
Owen couldn't stand the crowd's gossip. He turned around directly, glared at the dazed Lark, "What are you standing there for? Isn't this embarrassing enough?"
Lark could only hold back her tears and leave with Owen.
Harriet stayed by Tristan's side the whole time, like an elegant but soulless vase.
What made it even harder for her to accept was that those who had looked down on her that afternoon now crowded around to flatter her.
Harriet found it fake, but couldn't show her disgust.
Playing along was something you had to learn when entering this high society circle.
"Harriet, are you okay?" Flora saw her pale face and came forward to ask, "Are you tired?"
"A little."
"Then go home early and rest later." Flora said excitedly, "I was wondering why Nash was turned away today. Turns out it's because Mr. Lancaster is Apex Global Group's new president. Harriet, you really have influence!"
"What does it have to do with me?"
"Of course it does. As my ex-husband, I naturally didn't want to see Nash. Because I'm your friend, Mr. Lancaster didn't let him in." Flora said, "Harriet, Mr. Lancaster really cares about you. He even takes care of me because he loves you."
Harriet's mind was a mess. She soon walked to Tristan's side.
"I'm a bit tired, I want to go home first."
Tristan took a sip of red wine, "What, Griffin left, so you can't stay either?"
Harriet frowned. She'd been holding his hand dealing with guests the whole time and hadn't noticed Griffin at all, let alone that he'd left.
Harriet pulled her hand from his palm, "Griffin is my friend, don't overthink it. I'm really tired."
"I'll take you to rest."
Tristan took her hand again, left the banquet hall, and went straight to the top floor by elevator.
Harriet sat down on the sofa and took out her phone to send Griffin a message.
She heard Tristan's voice, "Weren't you tired? Still have energy to play with your phone?"
"This isn't my home, I can't rest here."
"This is my private space. You're my wife. Even if you tore this place apart, no one would dare say anything." Tristan looked at her coolly, "Or is it that the person you want to see isn't here, so you can't stay?"
Harriet frowned, "Why are you being so sarcastic?"
She suddenly remembered something and spoke, "If it's because I hugged Griffin that night and it made you uncomfortable, I apologize."
"Griffin and I lost contact for five years. Reuniting after so long, I was naturally excited, but it was just friendship."
Tristan believed she would behave herself now and wouldn't do anything inappropriate with other men while bearing the title of Mrs. Lancaster.
But what about the past?
How could he ignore the past between her and Griffin?
How could he ignore that diary?
How could he ignore the fact that she was using him as a substitute?
Harriet stood up and walked in front of Tristan, looking up at him, "That night I misunderstood that you and Mr. Savoy tricked me to Opulence Club. I apologize."
"And before, at the old house, when I told you to go find prostitutes—that was too much. I'm sorry."
One thing at a time. She misunderstood him, so she should apologize.
Tristan looked at her obedient and soft appearance, his Adam's apple bobbing, and lowered his head to kiss her lips.
Harriet slowly melted in his arms, her hands around his neck, responding to his kiss.
The next second, Tristan's kiss suddenly became intense.
He held Harriet's slender waist, kissing her while leading her to the bedroom.
When things got heated, their eyes met.
But Tristan couldn't tell if she was looking at him or looking at someone else through him.
They were at the closest distance in the world right now, but Tristan felt he'd never been further from her.
Tristan's heart felt like it was being pricked by needles, aching all over.
Tristan leaned down to kiss her eyes, breathing heavily as he asked, "Harriet, do you love me?"
After a long while, he finally heard Harriet's response.
"Yes."
Harriet was worn out.
When it was all over, Harriet was exhausted.
She caught her breath and turned to look. Tristan was leaning against the headboard smoking, his wheat-colored chest showing several hickeys she'd just been forced to leave, fatally sexy.
Harriet steadied her breathing and asked, "Tristan, how did you suddenly become the CEO of Apex Global Group?"
"I can't just stay idle at home forever." Tristan asked, "Are you unhappy about it?"
"I'm happy."
Tristan turned to look at her, "But I don't think you're that happy."
Harriet explained, "I'm happy for you."
Actually, she wasn't used to being the center of attention like today.
But as Tristan's wife, this was something she couldn't avoid, so she could only accept it calmly.
Tristan said nothing, just touched her sweaty hair.
"Tristan, is something bothering you?" Harriet asked.
Just now he seemed satisfied, but it looked like something was on his mind.
He even asked if she loved him.
He never asked before.
Because her passionate response was already the best answer.
Tristan's hand holding the cigarette paused, and he quickly denied it, "No."
He didn't dare admit it.
Didn't dare ask either.
He was afraid that once he asked, she would admit she was just using him as Griffin's substitute, and then she would go back to Griffin.
Why should he help them?
Just a moment ago, he even wanted to make love to Harriet until she died on this bed.
That way she would belong to him forever.
But seeing her watery eyes, he realized he couldn't bring himself to treat her that way.
Tristan finished his cigarette, picked Harriet up from the bed, and carried her to the bathroom for a bath.