Chapter 179 Never to Meet Again
After getting a call from his lawyer, Finnegan went to Apex Global Group.
Tristan had been holed up there for over two weeks, smoking and drinking heavily every day, living in a daze.
Finnegan walked into the room and yanked open the curtains.
Harsh sunlight poured in through the window, and Tristan, who was sleeping on the bed, instinctively rolled over.
"Get up!" Finnegan stepped forward and pulled off his blanket. "Do you know Harriet's leaving? Once she's gone, who knows when she'll be back. Are you just going to lie here waiting to die?"
Tristan on the bed slowly opened his eyes. "Where is she going?"
"I heard she's going abroad to study. Her flight leaves in an hour, heading to Sylvanor."
Tristan's Adam's apple bobbed as he closed his eyes again. "It has nothing to do with me."
"Tristan, why?" Finnegan didn't understand. "Don't you owe Harriet an explanation? Don't you owe everyone an explanation?"
"There's nothing to explain."
"That was your own child. You ended their life with your own hands. Don't you need to explain that?" Finnegan grabbed him and pulled him up. "Forget about Harriet—even I can't understand this! Tristan, how did you become like this?"
"You think I wanted to become like this?" Tristan gave a bitter laugh. "It was Harriet who made me this way!"
"What did Harriet do to you? Just tell me clearly!"
Tristan pulled out a diary from under his pillow and threw it at him. "See for yourself!"
Finnegan picked up the diary that had fallen to the floor and opened it. As he flipped through page after page, his expression grew darker. "This is Griffin's diary?"
"Yes. Harriet loves him. I'm just Griffin's substitute!"
"How could this be?" Finnegan couldn't believe it. "Harriet actually used you as a substitute? She doesn't seem like that kind of person."
"The facts are right in front of me. I can't deceive myself." Tristan laughed mockingly. "I was angry, but for the sake of the child, I put up with it all. But do you know what? Back then, she injured her body trying to save Griffin, which is why she couldn't keep this child! My child is gone because of Griffin!"
Finnegan frowned. "So it's not your fault at all. Just explain it to her clearly, won't that work?"
"Explain what?" Tristan sneered. "The child is gone. I hate her—it's too late for that. You think I'd be pathetic enough to want to keep her by my side? Not killing her is already merciful of me!"
Tristan lay back down on the bed. "Just go. Stop bothering me."
Finnegan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end said nothing and left.
The room quickly fell silent.
After who knows how long, Tristan slowly opened his eyes.
He got up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.
In the distance, a plane soared into the clouds, gradually disappearing from his view.
Tristan felt like a piece of his heart had been hollowed out.
And it could never be filled again.
On the plane, Harriet leaned against the small window, gazing at the clouds outside.
The cloud layers were beautiful.
Just like what she had seen from Apex Global Group that first time.
But all these memories would be sealed away by her, then forgotten.
'Goodbye, Emberfall.'
'Goodbye, Tristan.'
'I hope we never meet again.'
Two years later.
Spring came and went, autumn arrived.
Flowers bloomed and withered.
Six or seven hundred days and nights were enough to change many things.
For instance, Apex Global Group's business empire kept expanding, while at the same time, it targeted the Lancaster Group almost vengefully.
Just when everyone thought the Lancaster Group had no way to fight back, Griffin managed to hold on through his own efforts, becoming the second business legend after Tristan.
Many people openly and privately expressed their admiration for Owen.
Although he was scum, they had to admit his genes were excellent—otherwise he couldn't have produced two such outstanding sons.
Over these two years, rumors about Tristan's broken marriage also circulated in high society.
Whenever Flora attended gatherings, people would surround her to gossip about it.
But she wasn't one to talk too much. Even though she was dissatisfied with what Tristan had done, she wouldn't spread it behind his back, so she chose to keep quiet.
Still, quite a few people learned from her about the current situation of the former Mrs. Lancaster—Harriet.
"Harriet is so accomplished. During her studies abroad, she completed her degree, and her medical skills have greatly improved. She's even been hired as a doctor by a royal family overseas."
"Not only that, she also founded her own MediQuest Group, which expanded globally within a year."
Someone questioned, "What? Mr. Jones's student isn't properly treating patients but went into business instead? Doesn't that go against the principle of saving lives?"
"What do you know?" Flora said proudly. "Even if Harriet treated patients 24 hours non-stop, the number of patients she could see would still be limited. She founded the company to help more people."
"As for her principles, Harriet would never forget them. She's already learned all of Mr. Jones's medical skills and is very accomplished now!"
"Her consultation fee is now seven figures per session, and there are so many people lined up to see her."
Someone said, "It's such a shame Ms. Getty is studying abroad. How great would it be if she came back to benefit us people in Emberfall!"
Flora took a sip of warm coffee and smiled without saying anything.
"Mr. Lancaster is here!"
Flora turned to look and indeed saw Tristan walking in.
Today was the eightieth birthday banquet of Ewan Habsburg, a highly respected calligrapher in Emberfall. It wasn't surprising that Tristan had been invited.
Flora calmly looked away.
She was grateful that Tristan had helped her divorce smoothly back then, but she felt more sorry for Harriet.
Over these two years, when they occasionally ran into each other at such occasions, they would only nod in acknowledgment and never chatted.
Because the only thing they could talk about was Harriet, and Tristan seemed unwilling to mention her.
Tristan's appearance caused a small stir.
Flora could tell that over these two years, Tristan's presence had become even more powerful and colder.
His whole being radiated an aloofness that warned people to stay away.
It scared off those ambitious socialites who had been eyeing him.
But there were always one or two who weren't afraid of death and boldly approached him.
"Mr. Lancaster."
A young woman in a sexy outfit came forward with a wine glass.
"I've heard so much about you. I wonder if I have the honor of having a drink with Mr. Lancaster."
Tristan glanced at her coolly. "My wife is strict. She doesn't let me drink."
The woman's delicate face stiffened. "Didn't Mr. Lancaster get divorced?"
Tristan's eyes darkened. "Who said that?"
The woman nervously swallowed. "That's what the rumors say."
"Rumors can't all be trusted. My wife is abroad, but we call each other every night."
"I see."
Tristan paid her no more attention and went directly to Ewan. "Mr. Habsburg, my grandmother couldn't make it back from out of town, so she specifically asked me to come wish you a happy birthday."
"Mrs. Haven Lancaster is so thoughtful." Ewan smiled warmly. "Please, have a seat."
"I have other matters to attend to. I'll take my leave now."
"Then I won't keep you. Please go ahead."
Tristan nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly heard Flora's excited voice.
"Harriet!"