Chapter 181 I Miss You So Much
"Mr. Lancaster, this is my home. Please leave immediately!"
"Your home?" Thinking about how Harriet had spent the entire evening with Griffin, Tristan's anger became impossible to suppress. "Have you forgotten who bought this house for you? Have you forgotten how many happy times we spent here together? Or have you forgotten that in this house, from the bathroom to the kitchen, in every corner, I had you..."
The anger in Harriet's eyes gradually faded.
She even curled her lips into a light laugh.
Tristan could sense the mockery in her smile.
"What are you laughing at?" Tristan heard his own voice.
"I'm laughing because after two years, you're still the same." Harriet crossed her arms, looking at him coldly in a defensive posture. "You're still just as awful, still don't know how to respect people."
"I don't know how to respect you?" Tristan found it ridiculous.
"How you are has nothing to do with me anymore." Harriet said indifferently. "But since you brought up who bought this house, I think I should explain it clearly."
"Yes, Grandma bought me this house back then. Of course, she wouldn't buy a house for a stranger. It was because I was your wife at the time that I got this house."
"However, a year ago, I already paid Grandma back the purchase price plus interest, so this house now belongs to me."
"As for those ridiculous memories you mentioned," Harriet smiled faintly, "the reason I kept living in this house is because I stopped caring about them long ago."
"Six months ago, Niamh started renovating this place, so everything here has already lost all traces of the past."
Only then did Tristan notice that the current decor was indeed different from before.
Not only had everything been renovated, even the sofa set that Harriet had said she really liked before had been replaced.
Tristan was stunned. "Harriet, have you really let go of everything from the past?"
"What else?" Harriet asked back. "Should I keep thinking about you? Tristan, I'm not that pathetic."
Tristan smiled bitterly. "Yes, I'm the pathetic one."
He should be the one hating her, but not only could he not bring himself to hate Harriet, he thought about her day and night instead.
He was the pathetic one.
Tristan's pride couldn't accept this situation.
He practically fled in defeat.
Harriet closed the door without hesitation.
She went straight to the bathroom for a shower, poured herself a glass of red wine, and curled up on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, enjoying the night view outside.
Emberfall was as prosperous as ever.
But many things had already changed beyond recognition.
The next morning, Harriet rode her motorcycle to work at the clinic.
Over the past two years, Ian's Timeless Medicine Clinic had continuously expanded and hired many new people.
Harriet greeted everyone and headed to her consultation room.
"I heard Mr. Jones's disciple was beautiful, but I didn't expect her to be this beautiful!"
"She's not just beautiful, her abilities are even more impressive!"
"I heard she's the boss's wife of Apex Global Group."
"What? That super powerful Apex Global Group?"
"Of course it's that Apex Global Group with mysterious assets!"
"How many galaxies did she have to save in her past life to live like this?"
Harriet didn't hear the others' discussion and got busy as soon as she sat down.
Although she hadn't been in Emberfall these past two years, her reputation abroad had already spread throughout Athenia, even surpassing Ian's.
She had just landed in Emberfall yesterday, and today the clinic was already fully booked.
Although she was famous, the clinic's mission to help people remained unchanged.
After two years, they hadn't even raised their consultation fees.
Harriet worked all morning and finally had a break during lunch.
Ian's call came through immediately.
"Harriet, why didn't you rest a few more days?"
"Mr. Jones, I'm not tired, and I only have morning consultations. Starting work early means I can see a few more patients."
"Take care of yourself. Are you taking your medicine on time?"
"Yes, don't worry."
A year ago, Ian had suddenly started having her take medicine, saying it was to help regulate her body.
Over the past year, no matter where she was, Ian would fly to see her once a month to check her health and adjust her prescription.
Harriet felt like her body was practically pickled with the medicinal smell.
But the medicine was indeed working. The last few times she got her period, her stomach didn't hurt as badly as it used to.
Harriet had planned to order takeout, but Flora came to find her instead.
"Harriet, come on, let's go eat!"
"Sure."
Harriet readily agreed, and the two found an upscale restaurant and got a private room.
After ordering, Flora eagerly grabbed Harriet's hand. "Harriet, you're finally back. I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too." Harriet couldn't wait to check her health. "Flora, your body is doing great."
"Even though you weren't in Emberfall, you had Mr. Jones come see me every week, so of course my body is good." Flora choked up. "When you had that accident back then, I was so worried."
"You know, you really should have... Tristan hurt you like that, how could you part on good terms? You should have been like me and taken half his fortune!"
Harriet smiled faintly. "Flora, it's not about being noble. I just feel that no amount of money can make up for my child's life."
"That's true. For a mother, a child is priceless."
"It's all in the past, let's not talk about it." Harriet raised her juice glass. "Here's to you."
"Cheers. You're back this time, you won't leave again, right?"
"MediQuest Group's development in the country is just starting, so I won't be leaving anytime soon."
"That's great, then we can see each other often."
"Yes."
In the afternoon, Harriet went to visit the Habsburg Mansion.
A servant led Harriet inside. "Ms. Getty, please wait a moment."
"Thank you."
Soon, Ewan came downstairs, supported by a young, handsome man.
"Harriet's here?"
"Mr. Habsburg, sorry to disturb you." Harriet stood up and nodded. "I came today because I want to examine you again."
"Didn't you just examine me at last night's birthday banquet?"
"Yes, but I'd like to examine you once more."
"No problem, please sit."
Harriet sat down and examined him again, but her expression was quite serious.
"What's wrong?"
"Mr. Habsburg, forgive me for asking, but have you had any abdominal pain recently?"
"How did you know?" The young man standing nearby, Zephyr Habsburg, spoke up. "My grandfather's gallstones have flared up recently, so he does have occasional stomach pain."
"I'm afraid it's not as simple as gallstones." Harriet said. "I suspect it's pancreatic cancer."
"What did you say?" Zephyr suddenly got angry. "Do you have any manners? My grandfather just celebrated his eightieth birthday, and you dare come here and curse him! Get this crazy woman out of here!"
"Zephyr, watch your mouth." Ewan said displeasedly. "Do you know who this is?"
Zephyr pouted. "I know. Isn't she Tristan's ex-wife who went to prison? Grandpa, we shouldn't let a woman with a criminal record into our home!"
"Shut up!" Ewan frowned. "She is Mr. Jones's final and most important disciple!"
"I know, but didn't Mr. Jones only take her as a disciple because of the Lancaster family?"
Ewan looked exasperated and apologized to Harriet. "I'm sorry, Harriet. My grandson doesn't know any better. He arrived late last night and didn't see you."
"It's fine." Harriet asked, "Has Mr. Habsburg had a physical examination recently?"
"I get a full body checkup every three months without fail." Ewan recalled. "I had one just over two months ago, and there were no problems."
"Pancreatic cancer develops very quickly, and usually by the time it's detected, it's already in the late stages." Harriet said. "I suggest you arrange for an examination immediately."
Ewan nodded. "I trust Mr. Jones's judgment in people. I'll have someone arrange it right away."
Zephyr looked at Harriet with disdain. "My grandfather is perfectly healthy. Harriet, what if the tests show there's nothing wrong with him?"
Harriet frowned. "Wouldn't it be good if there's nothing wrong?"
"That won't do. You came to my house and said such things for no reason. If my grandfather is fine, you need to give me an explanation!"
"What do you want then?"
Zephyr thought for a moment. "If my grandfather doesn't have pancreatic cancer, you have to kneel and apologize in public."
"Zephyr, you're going too far!" Ewan scolded. "Go apologize to Ms. Getty."
Harriet smiled faintly. "What if my diagnosis is correct?"
"Impossible." Zephyr said with certainty. "My grandfather can't have such a serious illness."
"What if?"
Zephyr snorted coldly. "Then I'll call everyone together, and I'll kneel and apologize to you in public."
Harriet accepted calmly. "It's a deal."
After leaving the Habsburg Mansion, Harriet went straight home.
As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Tristan standing at her door.