Chapter 188 Proposal Again
Harriet froze.
If she understood correctly, was Nolan proposing to her?
Could it really be that spring had arrived and her romantic luck had come with it?
Otherwise, how could two people propose to her on consecutive days?
Harriet coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness. "Mr. Johnson, let's not make jokes like that."
It really wasn't funny at all.
Yesterday she'd been scared enough by Zephyr!
"You know I'm not joking." Nolan was completely serious. "Harriet, I've been waiting for you these past two years, waiting for you to let go of Tristan, waiting for that space in your heart to open up."
"I always felt that Chase and I together would weigh more than your other suitors. So Harriet, would you give Chase and me a chance? We've been waiting for you to become part of our family."
The smile on Harriet's face gradually froze.
She'd always understood Nolan's feelings.
Although she'd been abroad these past two years, no matter where she was, every winter and summer vacation, Nolan would use the excuse of taking Chase on vacation to visit her in whatever city she was in.
He maintained proper boundaries, and she hadn't called out his true purpose, especially since she'd already clearly rejected him before.
Plus, she was happy to see Chase.
But now that he'd stated it so directly, she naturally had to respond.
Harriet said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson, I can't say yes."
Nolan seemed completely unsurprised by her answer, just smiled bitterly. "I'm the one who should apologize. I heard about the Habsburg family heir proposing to you last night, so I got a bit anxious. And I know very well that you're rejecting me not because of anyone else, but because of Tristan. Harriet, you've never let him go, have you?"
"I don't know, but even without him, I wouldn't start a new relationship." Harriet said calmly. "These past two years, I've come to understand something."
"What?"
"Love's weight in our lives might not be as heavy as we imagine." Harriet smiled. "Besides love, there are so many other things in this world worth cherishing—family, friendship, dreams, mountains and seas, or like Flora, carefully tending to every plant and tree. All of these can bring happiness."
"You're right, but people have their obsessions." Nolan gazed deeply at her. "Harriet, perhaps you are my obsession."
"Obsessions can be picked up, and they can be put down." Harriet met his affectionate gaze directly. "Mr. Johnson, you're a person with a very strong inner core. I believe you have the ability to let go."
Nolan took a sip of water. "I hope you're right."
Harriet couldn't help but smile. "Then I hope we won't make things this awkward again in the future."
"I'll try."
Nolan quickly changed the subject, asking about MediQuest Group, and soon the two were chatting about work matters.
The meal went quite smoothly.
After lunch, Harriet returned to the clinic.
Having not slept all night, she went to the break room to catch up on sleep.
After some unknown amount of time, an urgent phone ring woke Harriet up.
Harriet answered the phone, her expression changing. "I'll be right there!"
She rushed to the hospital and went straight into the emergency room.
By the time she came out of the emergency room, it was already past seven in the evening.
"How is he!" Zephyr anxiously stepped forward. "Is my grandfather okay!"
Harriet removed her mask. "His condition has stabilized, don't worry too much."
"How can I not worry? Why did my grandfather suddenly collapse?"
"Mr. Ewan Habsburg is eighty years old after all. This kind of major surgery is a huge challenge for an elderly person, but his condition is stable now. With proper care going forward, his body can recover to pre-surgery levels."
"That's good." Zephyr breathed a sigh of relief. "Harriet, thank goodness you were here. As soon as my grandfather collapsed, I had someone call you immediately."
"It's what I should do."
"Let's add each other on WhatsApp, so I can update you on my grandfather's condition in real time."
"Okay."
Harriet took out her phone, and the two added each other on WhatsApp.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll be going."
"Harriet!" Zephyr grabbed her wrist.
"Mr. Habsburg, what are you doing?"
Before Harriet could finish speaking, Zephyr suddenly hugged her.
"Thank you." Zephyr choked up. "Xavier said I can't marry you because Tristan won't allow it, but I really want to marry you. If we got married and took care of my grandfather together, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Harriet felt helpless. "You're a very filial boy. How about you pay for the next year's medical fees, and then I can legitimately continue caring for your grandfather."
Zephyr froze, then said, "I know you're not someone who cares about money."
"No, I am." Harriet smiled and patted his back. "Ten million dollars a year."
Zephyr broke into a smile through his tears. "Harriet, you're so funny."
"Alright, little boy." Harriet pushed him away. "How old are you, still crying?"
Zephyr pouted. "I'm usually very composed."
"Okay, I believe you."
"Harriet, you're really a good person." Zephyr's mouth twitched. "It's all Xavier's fault. He kept badmouthing you in front of me, which made me misunderstand you. Actually, you're the best, best woman in the world."
Harriet fell silent.
Xavier again.
Sooner or later, she'd settle the score with him!
Harriet smiled at Zephyr. "Go take care of your grandfather. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay."
Zephyr quickly left.
Harriet also prepared to go home. As she turned around, she saw Tristan standing by the elevator, looking at them with a dark expression.
Harriet froze.
It seemed that the relationship between her and Tristan was indeed difficult to sever.
Harriet looked away from his gaze and turned toward the elevator at the other end.
Tristan's eyes darkened, and he immediately strode forward.
Before the elevator doors closed, Tristan followed her in, trapping Harriet in the corner.
Only the two of them were in the descending elevator.
They were extremely close, their clothes pressed together. Harriet could even feel his steady, powerful heartbeat.
Harriet's breathing involuntarily skipped a beat. "Tristan, what are you doing?"
"What do you think?" he asked instead of answering.
Harriet said expressionlessly, "I don't know, and I don't want to know."
Tristan laughed coldly. "Lunch with Nolan, evening hugging Zephyr... Harriet, you have so many suitors?"
Harriet frowned. "You're following me?"
"So what if I am?"
Harriet's lips pressed together slightly. "Tristan, don't go too far."
She hated being monitored.
"I'm going too far?" Tristan's eyes grew even colder. "As far as you playing the field?"
The elevator opened on the first floor.
Harriet pushed Tristan away and strode out of the elevator.
She walked out of the hospital entrance and was about to get on her motorcycle when her wrist was suddenly gripped.
Before Harriet could react, she was pulled by Tristan into a Rolls-Royce in the parking area.
"Get out!"
The driver in the front seat hurriedly got out of the car.
Tristan raised the partition, blocking the view from the front.
Harriet was pressed into the corner by him, her face flushed with anger. "Tristan, what exactly do you want!"
"To fuck you!"