Chapter 147 I Really Like
When Harriet finished cooking and went to call Tristan, she indeed saw a necklace on the coffee table.
During the meal, Harriet asked about the necklace.
"I knew it would snow today, so I wanted to prepare a gift for you on the first snow." Tristan looked displeased. "I didn't expect your sister to find it."
Harriet smiled brightly. "Mr. Lancaster, when did you become so romantic?"
"Don't you like it?"
"I do." Harriet said, "Thank you for the gift, Mr. Lancaster. I really like it."
"I'm glad you like it."
After lunch, Tristan went to his study to work, and Harriet curled up on the sofa reading. They spent a quiet day.
But unexpectedly, Elowen came again that evening. She arrived with a suitcase and started crying as soon as she entered.
"Harriet, you have to take me in, or I'll be homeless. I might as well be dead!"
Harriet frowned. "What happened?"
"My mom and I had a fight, and she actually kicked me out, telling me never to come back."
"Aunt Xanthe has always spoiled you the most. How could she say something so harsh?" Harriet asked. "Did you do something to make her angry?"
"I didn't! She's just making trouble for nothing!" Elowen cried. "Unless she comes begging me, I'll never go back!"
Harriet looked troubled.
"Harriet, you don't want to take me in either!"
Harriet said, "My husband likes peace and quiet. He doesn't like having other people in the house. Even Rhea can't hang around in front of him after finishing her work."
Elowen felt wronged. "Isn't this your house? Can't you even decide to take in your own sister!"
"He and I are husband and wife, living here together. Of course I have to consider his feelings."
Elowen was furious. "I thought you cared about me the most, but even you don't want me. I don't have grandparents anymore, and I have nowhere to go. Just let me freeze to death on the street!"
Harriet comforted her, "Don't cry. Let me take you to a hotel and get you a room, okay? I won't let you sleep on the street."
"But Christmas is coming. Do you want me to spend Christmas in a hotel!" Elowen cried. "If I could get a flight abroad right now, I would've left already instead of putting up with this from you all!"
Harriet felt sorry for her. "Let me discuss it with my husband."
Elowen was studying abroad and would leave after the New Year, staying for only about ten days.
Although Tristan wasn't too happy about it, he didn't object.
Elowen moved into the guest room. Harriet repeatedly warned her not to enter the master bedroom or Tristan's study.
When Tristan was home, Elowen should stay in her own room and be invisible.
Elowen nodded repeatedly. "Harriet, I'll definitely do that. I won't cause you any trouble."
After settling her in, Harriet returned to the master bedroom and called Jasper to let him know she was safe and not to worry.
The next day.
During her lunch break, Harriet went to the mall.
She was looking at necklaces when a familiar voice came from behind her.
"Harriet."
Harriet turned around and saw Griffin standing at the entrance, accompanied by several men and women in business attire.
"Griffin, what are you doing here?"
Griffin walked over. "This is the Lancaster Group's mall. I'm here for an inspection. Are you buying jewelry? Pick whatever you want. I'll pay."
Harriet smiled. "I'm buying a Christmas gift for my sister, so of course I'll pay for it myself."
"Alright then."
"Griffin, you've been pretty busy lately, haven't you?"
"Yes, I wish I could split every minute into two. I often sleep in the office, so even though we're neighbors, I haven't seen you in a long time."
Harriet reminded him, "You must take care of yourself, eat on time, and get enough rest."
"I will. You too."
"Go ahead with your work. Don't keep people waiting."
"Okay."
Harriet continued browsing and finally chose a necklace to buy.
That evening, Elowen wasn't very excited when she received the necklace. "Harriet, this necklace is nice, but it can't compare to the one Mr. Lancaster bought you."
Harriet added food to her bowl. "Tristan's necklace was bought at an auction. I heard it sold for a hundred million dollars. I'm not that rich."
"Isn't what's his also yours?" Elowen asked. "Harriet, does Mr. Lancaster often buy you such expensive things?"
"Occasionally."
Harriet didn't like wearing jewelry, especially such expensive pieces, so she kept everything Tristan gave her in her jewelry cabinet.
Elowen felt envious.
Even occasionally was enough.
After all, being Mrs. Lancaster meant having endless money to spend.
She had wandered around the house during the day. All the clothes in Harriet's closet were the latest styles from luxury brands, not a single cheap item.
But Harriet didn't seem to like wearing them. Many still had their tags on.
What a waste to have money and not know how to enjoy it.
Elowen attentively speared a shrimp for Harriet. "Harriet, maybe I shouldn't go back to school. You know lots of people in high society. Help me meet a rich and handsome man, and I'll become a wealthy heir's wife too. Then we can keep each other company and look out for each other."
Harriet and Rhea, who was standing nearby, exchanged glances.
"Elowen, are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious." Elowen replied without hesitation.
"How can you think like that?" Harriet put down her knife and fork and looked at her seriously. "Grandpa and Grandma always taught us that girls should be strong and independent, not vines clinging to others. Have you forgotten?"
Elowen pouted. "Grandpa and Grandma's ideas are old-fashioned. You actually listened to them?"
"Why wouldn't I listen?" Harriet frowned. "They were absolutely right."
"That sounds nice, but didn't you marry into the Lancaster family?" Elowen muttered. "Harriet, you can't take advantage and still act all noble, can you?"
Harriet almost laughed in frustration. "Even though I married into the Lancaster family, it doesn't mean I need to depend on anyone. I have my own career and can support myself with it. Even if I weren't Mrs. Lancaster, I could still live. But if you drop out of school to get married now, you can't even support yourself. And do you think it's so easy to enter a wealthy family? Do you think marriages between unequal families are easy to maintain? So Elowen, I hope you'll drop this idea and focus on your studies. Your knowledge and abilities are what truly belong to you, not pinning your desired life on marriage and men."
"You're just saying you won't help me. Why dress it up so nicely?" Elowen slammed her knife and fork on the table. "I'm full."
She got up and left.
Harriet lowered her eyes, lost in thought.
"Mrs. Lancaster, don't be angry." Rhea served her a bowl of soup. "Have some soup to cool down."
"I really didn't expect Elowen to have such thoughts."
"She's a young girl who hasn't seen much of the world. It's normal for her to be envious seeing you living in a mansion and wearing a hundred-million-dollar necklace."
"Of course I hope she marries well, but not now. She's still a student. Studying should be her priority."
"Don't be angry, Mrs. Lancaster. She doesn't have the connections to marry a rich man anyway, and rich men aren't stupid. Without any special qualities, they won't be interested in her."
"Forget it." Harriet sighed. "After Christmas when Elowen goes back to school, she should settle down."
As Christmas approached, Haven, who had been away relaxing, returned to Emberfall.
Harriet immediately rushed to the Lancaster Manor to see her. "Grandma, I missed you so much."
"Harriet, I missed you too."
"Grandma, after being away for so long, are you feeling better?"
Haven's smile faded instantly. "I was fine while I was away, but coming back to Emberfall and facing all this mess, how can I feel good?"
"Grandma, don't be angry." Harriet tried to soothe her. "About Griffin, I did know him a long time ago, but I didn't know about his relationship with the Lancaster family."
"Of course I believe you. Gemma has been sick for so long, her personality has become extreme. Don't take what she said to heart. I absolutely trust your character."
"Thank you, Grandma."
"Mrs. Harriet Lancaster, you don't know." Iris, standing nearby, spoke up. "Although Mr. Owen Lancaster hasn't publicly announced Griffin's identity, everyone in high society knows about their relationship."
"More importantly, Mr. Owen Lancaster actually said he wants Griffin to come to the Lancaster Manor to celebrate Christmas together this year."
"Celebrate Christmas together?" Harriet didn't need to think hard to know how awkward that would be.
Haven closed her eyes. "I said it long ago—the Lancaster family will have no peaceful days."