Chapter 141: Reconciled?
Owen's villa has a secret room with walls full of various tools.
Lark is completely naked, her hands fixed to the wall.
Owen's eyes are blood-red as he holds a specially-made whip, lashing it across Lark's body again and again to vent his anger.
Lark cries out in pain.
But the more she screams, the more excited Owen gets, and the harder he whips her.
Lark bites down hard on her teeth, trying not to make a sound.
Actually, she discovered Owen's preference for this kind of thing not long ago. It was just for fun before, but never like today, where he's using her as a tool to vent his anger.
She knows Owen is furious because of Tristan.
But she's the one being punished!
This is so unfair!
But she has no choice except to endure the pain.
Lark grits her teeth, intense hatred flashing in her eyes.
The pain she's suffering today is all because of Tristan and Harriet!
One day, she'll pay them back double for everything she's endured!
At the hospital.
Gemma sees the video from the banquet and is thrilled beyond words. "I knew it... I knew my son wouldn't be stepped on by anyone. He had a backup plan all along!"
"Executive President of Apex Global Group—Tristan is still the king of Emberfall. Owen can forget about bringing him down!"
"Mrs. Lancaster, this is truly surprising. Congratulations, Mrs. Lancaster!" Uma is happy too.
Gemma smiles. "Keep playing it. I want to see Owen and Lark's reactions!"
"Okay."
The video continues playing. When she sees the ugly expressions on their faces, Gemma feels incredibly satisfied.
But the next second, the smile on her face suddenly freezes.
"Uma, pause! Zoom in on that person in the upper left corner!"
Uma does as told immediately.
When she sees that young, handsome face clearly, Gemma's face turns pale, even her lips are trembling!
"It's him... how can it be him..."
Uma can't see clearly with her old eyes and quickly puts on her glasses. She's also shocked. "Mrs. Lancaster, didn't he die long ago? How did he suddenly appear? And at Apex Global Group's banquet!"
"How would I know!" Gemma can't hide her panic. "Send someone to investigate immediately, go now!"
"Okay!" Uma quickly takes out her phone to make calls.
The next morning, Harriet wakes up right on time by her biological clock.
Her legs are trembling when she gets out of bed.
There are new toiletries in the bathroom. After washing up, Harriet puts on the clothes Ryder brought last night.
Tristan hasn't woken up yet. Harriet tiptoes out of the room and suddenly sees the sea of clouds outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The weather is beautiful today, clear and sunny. Standing on the top floor feels like being among the clouds, as if all worries could vanish in an instant.
Ryder brings people to deliver breakfast. "Mrs. Lancaster, please have breakfast. I brought a computer to input your fingerprint and facial recognition, so you can come and go here anytime."
Harriet is surprised. "I can come here anytime?"
"Of course, this is Mr. Lancaster's place."
Harriet happily accepts. After all, who wouldn't love such a breathtakingly beautiful place?
After breakfast, Harriet goes to work.
She's been busy all morning when Griffin's call comes in near lunchtime.
"Harriet, want to have lunch together?"
"Sure." Harriet agrees readily. "There's a restaurant near the clinic with pretty good food. I'll send you the location."
"Okay."
When Harriet arrives at the restaurant's private room, Griffin is already there.
"When did you leave last night? I didn't even know."
"I left early since there was nothing much going on. I saw you were busy networking, so I didn't want to disturb you."
"Actually, I don't like those occasions at all. I'd rather practice medicine at home." Harriet looks at him closely. "What happened to your face?"
"Tristan didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"I got into a fight with him." Griffin's expression cools. "I found out about him personally sending you to prison.Harriet, when I asked you that day if he treated you well, why didn't you tell me the truth?"
Harriet is slightly stunned, then says, "Griffin, promise me you won't get into conflicts with him because of me anymore."
"You're still protecting him!" Griffin says angrily. "Is this the love you've been searching for? Is this the man you've loved so deeply? You love him so much, but how has he repaid you!"
"Actually, there's something I've never told you." Harriet takes a sip of hot tea and begins. "When I was six years old, one summer, I was playing in the yard with my cousin Elowen Getty when a snake suddenly crawled in. Luckily, Uncle Jasper came out from the house just then. When he saw the snake approaching me and Elowen, he didn't hesitate to throw himself over Elowen to protect her. The snake bit my calf, but fortunately it wasn't poisonous."
"Uncle Jasper protecting his own daughter is understandable. I don't blame him, but do you know how much I wished that in that critical moment, I could be like Elowen and have someone protect me with their life?" Harriet's lips tremble, tears welling up in her eyes. "And Tristan—he was the first person to protect me with his life. I did hate him, hated him for hurting me again and again for another woman, hated him for not believing me and sending me to prison, but I can't forget that knife he took for me."
"Harriet, I understand." Griffin looks at her with heartache. "You've always been like this. If someone treats you well even a little, you want to repay them a hundred times over, let alone when that person is the man you already deeply loved. But Harriet, if one day I stand on the opposite side of Tristan, what will you choose?"
Harriet is curious. "You don't know each other and have no grudges. Why would you stand against him?"
"I'm saying if."
Harriet shakes her head gently. "I don't want that day to come. One of you is my husband, the other is my family. I can't choose."
Griffin smiles. "I'm just saying."
The food has just been served when Tristan's call comes in. "Where are you?"
Harriet doesn't hide it. "Griffin and I are having lunch outside. Have you eaten? Want to join us?"
"I'm busy. I'll pick you up after work tonight."
"Okay."
Harriet hangs up and uses the serving utensils to add food to Griffin's plate. "Eat more."
"Thanks."
In a car across the street, a camera is frantically photographing the two people dining in the restaurant.
Griffin seems to sense something and turns to look out. A flash of coldness crosses his otherwise calm eyes.
"What's wrong?" Harriet asks. "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing." When Griffin turns back, his eyes are smiling again. "The atmosphere here is nice."
"Then we can come here often."
"Okay."
In the evening, Tristan picks up Harriet on time to return to Lakeside Gardens.
Dinner is lavish. Rhea is thrilled to see the two of them reconciled.
To avoid disturbing the couple, she leaves after cleaning up.
Tristan works in the study until after eight, then goes to the living room and master bedroom but can't find Harriet.
He goes to the gym and sure enough, sees Harriet practicing boxing.
Tristan walks over. "Mrs. Lancaster is very diligent."
Harriet stops to drink some water. "Didn't you say so? That I should keep practicing to build muscle memory."
Tristan picks up a towel nearby and wipes the sweat from her forehead. "That's right."
"You just started at Apex Global Group, you must be very busy, right? Go do your work, I can practice on my own."
Tristan feels inexplicably uncomfortable.
Does she not need him anymore?
Well, he's just a substitute. Of course she can discard him anytime.
Harriet sees him lost in thought and asks curiously, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Tristan collects himself. "Take your time practicing. I'll go handle some work."
"Okay."
Harriet watches his retreating figure and suddenly can't help calling out to him. "Tristan!"
Tristan stops and turns to look at her. "What is it?"
"Have we made up?"
Tristan smiles. "What else?"
Harriet pouts and complains, "But you still haven't apologized to me."
Tristan looks at her soft, sweet expression and suddenly can't resist wanting to tease her.
He strides forward and leans down to kiss her lips.