Chapter 163 Really Going to Divorce
"I don't know," Ryder reported. "Opal doesn't know where Lark went either. She only knows that Lark dressed up carefully that day, so she was probably meeting a man."
Tristan gave a cold laugh. "In this world, the two people who most want Lark dead are my mom and Griffin."
"My mom enjoys watching her become a stray dog, so she won't waste energy dealing with her now. The biggest suspect is only Griffin."
"Opal also told the police about Griffin targeting Lark. The police investigated as usual, but found no evidence pointing to Griffin, so they came back empty-handed. Mr. Lancaster, do you need me to send someone to investigate thoroughly?"
A cold glint flashed in Tristan's eyes. "If Harriet knew that Griffin would even kill for her, she'd be very touched, wouldn't she?"
Ryder didn't know how to respond and could only say, "Mrs. Lancaster has strong moral principles. She would only want Lark to face legal punishment, not private judgment."
"What do you know?" Tristan said coldly. "I, her husband, am protecting the person who harmed her, while Griffin would even kill for her. If you were in her shoes, you'd hate me and fall in love with Griffin too."
Ryder fell silent. He was just an employee and didn't dare put himself in his boss's wife's position.
"Mr. Lancaster, should we investigate thoroughly?"
"No need."
If Lark were alive, he would naturally find the miracle doctor Aiden to treat her.
Since she was dead, it was like a light going out—he didn't need to waste his energy.
Tristan's long, well-defined fingers rested on the desk, tapping the surface intermittently. "But since Griffin has interfered in my private affairs and dared to touch someone I clearly said I'd protect, naturally I don't need to be polite with him."
Opal was convinced that Lark's disappearance was related to Harriet and ran to the clinic to make a scene, causing quite a commotion.
But the next day, she was taken back to prison.
Someone reported that Opal wasn't sick at all, and after verification, her sentence was extended by six months.
Harriet cooperated with the police statement and quickly went home.
But for some reason, learning that Lark's whereabouts were unknown and that something had likely happened to her, she felt uneasy.
Harriet went straight to knock on the next door.
Griffin came to open it. "Harriet, come in and sit."
Harriet followed him inside and asked, "Griffin, does Lark's disappearance have anything to do with you?"
"Why do you ask that?" Griffin poured her a glass of water. "I did want to stand up for you, so I withdrew The Lancaster Hospital's treatment for her. That's my right. But I wouldn't touch anything illegal."
Harriet breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad it wasn't you."
Griffin smiled. "You're not feeling sorry for her, are you?"
"How could I?" Harriet said. "If I felt sorry for her, that would mean all the suffering I went through was my own fault."
"Good that you think that way. Evil gets what it deserves." Griffin took a sip of warm water. "But I did send Opal back to prison. If she didn't go back, she'd cause trouble for you. Besides, she wasn't sick to begin with and should be sent back."
Harriet nodded. "Owen originally faked medical parole to get her out anyway. Sending her back now isn't wrong."
"Let's close the chapter on Lark's matter. Don't overthink it." Griffin smiled faintly. "Though for Tristan, this matter isn't over."
"What happened with him?"
"Tristan probably also thinks I'm involved in his lifesaver's disappearance and has started retaliating against me. Several of my projects have been shut down."
Harriet was stunned.
To say she didn't feel bad would be a lie.
But somehow, that pain in her heart wasn't as sharp as before.
Did this mean she was gradually letting go of Tristan?
"This isn't the first time." Harriet curved her lips slightly. "For Lark, he can do many things."
"How's the divorce going?" Griffin asked.
"He refuses to divorce and has Finnegan responding to the lawsuit. You know Finnegan's abilities—there's no way I can get divorced smoothly."
"So what's your plan?"
Harriet smiled. "Work hard, live well."
"Well said, Harriet. I'll always be with you."
"Good." Harriet asked, "Can you handle Tristan making things difficult for you?"
"I can. Don't worry about me."
"That's good."
When Harriet got home, Haven called.
She took a deep breath and answered. "Grandma."
"Harriet, I heard Lark disappeared, and I also heard you and Tristan are getting divorced. What's going on?"
"Grandma, I'm sorry." Harriet walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the beautiful night view outside, but feeling no joy. "Tristan and I really can't go on."
Haven was heartbroken. "Is there really no chance of reconciliation?"
"No."
Haven sighed. "I believe that for you to decide on divorce again, you must have been deeply hurt. I won't ask, and I respect your decision."
Tears welled up in Harriet's eyes. "Thank you for understanding, Grandma."
Even Haven would respect and feel sorry for her, but her husband wouldn't.
Tristan would only feel sorry for Lark, and no matter what Lark became, that wouldn't change.
She didn't want this kind of husband or this kind of marriage.
After chatting with Haven for a bit, Harriet hung up.
"Mrs. Lancaster, please eat something."Rhea walked over carrying a tray.
"Thank you." Harriet ate while speaking. "Rhea, there's something I want to discuss with you."
"Go ahead."
"I've decided to separate from Tristan. After all, you were hired by the Lancaster family, so it's not appropriate for you to stay here."
"But Mrs. Lancaster, you need someone to take care of you."
"I can take care of myself." Harriet looked at her. "But if you want to stay with me, that's fine too. From now on, I'll pay your salary, the same as what the Lancaster family gave you."
She wanted to put more time and energy into healing and saving lives. Having Rhea at home to clean and cook would save her a lot of trouble.
"Either way is fine with me." Rhea said. "I just want to take good care of you."
"Alright then. Since you want to stay, there's something else I need to make clear." Harriet said seriously. "From now on, you're hired by me and won't take the Lancaster family's salary anymore. I don't want you to tell Tristan anything about what happens here. Understand?"
Since she was going to cut ties, she would do it completely. That was her way of doing things.
"Mrs. Lancaster, are you and Mr. Lancaster really getting divorced?"
"Yes." Harriet's face was expressionless. "I've made up my mind."
"I understand. I'll listen to you and won't tell Mr. Lancaster anything about you."
"Good. I trust you."
The next afternoon, Harriet received a call from Finnegan.
"Harriet, do you have time tonight to come to my law firm?"
"What's it about?"
"Your divorce case with Tristan—we need to meet."
Harriet was curious. "But my lawyer told me I could leave everything to him to negotiate with you. I don't need to be there."
"It won't work if both sides keep deadlocking. Come and talk things through in person. I'll mediate from the middle. Maybe I can convince Tristan to let go, and we can resolve this sooner."
Harriet rubbed her temples. "Alright."
"Seven o'clock tonight then. See you there."
After work, Harriet found a nearby restaurant for dinner, then went to Finnegan's law firm.
Finnegan was already waiting in the conference room. Seeing her lawyer beside her, he couldn't help but smile.
He hadn't asked her to bring a lawyer on the phone.
Because he wanted her and Tristan to meet and talk alone—maybe they could reconcile.
"I really hope this is the last divorce case I take." Finnegan smiled. "Handling your case is more exhausting than fighting ten major lawsuits."
Harriet took a sip of hot tea. "Sorry to trouble you."
Soon, the office door was pushed open, and the receptionist led Tristan in.