Chapter 206 Afraid of Being Abandoned
Gemma frowned, "You investigated Quinlan?"
"I wouldn't go so far as to investigate her." Harriet smiled faintly. "It's just that she can shower at Cloud Bay and walk into Tristan's office without knocking—she's clearly not just an ordinary employee. Plus, her last name is Stewart, so it's not hard to guess she's related to you."
"You're smart." Gemma admitted frankly. "Quinlan is the adopted daughter of my brother. She has no blood relation to Tristan."
"She may be adopted, but she was actually raised to marry Tristan."
"It's just that the Stewart family gradually declined and couldn't match up to the Lancaster family anymore. Plus, that little bitch Lark got involved with Tristan, so Quinlan never got her chance. Then a car accident happened, and you got lucky."
Harriet wasn't angry. Objectively speaking, marrying Tristan was indeed marrying up for her.
She had never denied this fact.
Harriet spoke calmly, "So you want Quinlan to have a child for Tristan? This Ms. Stewart doesn't look like someone who'd willingly be a surrogate for someone else."
"That's not your concern. You just need to know that when it comes to children, you owe Tristan. So you should not only agree but actively help."
"Help with what?" Harriet laughed. "Put Tristan in Quinlan's bed so she can get pregnant?"
"Exactly."
"Mom, I think you've been lying in bed too long—your brain's really deteriorated."
Gemma's face darkened. "What did you say?"
"I said you're sick." Harriet spoke each word clearly. "I can't have children, but I don't think I owe Tristan anything."
"Besides, I won't tolerate any betrayal. If Tristan touches another woman, I absolutely won't keep him. So I suggest if you want a grandchild, go talk to Tristan directly."
"If he accepts your proposal, I have no objection—but only after a divorce."
Gemma's face turned cold. "Are you threatening me? You know perfectly well Tristan won't divorce you."
"That's my bottom line." Harriet stood up. "If there's nothing else, I'll leave now."
Gemma's face went pale with anger. "How dare you! You have no manners! Someone, come on!"
Two bodyguards entered. "Mrs. Gemma Lancaster, what is it?"
Gemma ordered, "Make her kneel and apologize!"
The two bodyguards looked at each other. "Mrs. Gemma Lancaster, this is Mrs. Harriet Lancaster..."
"I'm her mother-in-law. Can't I discipline her?"
The bodyguard bowed his head. "Sorry, Mrs. Gemma Lancaster, we don't dare do that."
Gemma nearly choked with rage.
"Mrs. Gemma Lancaster." Uma rushed forward to help calm her down.
Harriet turned and reminded her, "Mom, take care of your health—otherwise how will you carry out your grandchild plan?"
Harriet watched her furious expression and simply turned to leave.
Harriet didn't return to the clinic but drove straight to Apex Global Group.
Tristan wasn't in his office. Harriet sat in the executive chair behind the desk with her eyes closed, resting.
Thinking about what Gemma had just said, Harriet's expression grew increasingly cold.
Before long, the office door suddenly opened.
Harriet had her back to the door and didn't turn around immediately.
A soft voice came from behind. "Tristan, I made a restaurant reservation. Let's call Finnegan tonight and have a good get-together."
"Not tonight." Tristan refused. "I need to go home and spend time with Harriet."
Quinlan sounded quite dissatisfied. "Tristan, now that you're married, are you going to abandon all the friends who've been with you?"
Harriet smiled and turned the chair to face them.
Tristan's face lit up. "When did you get here?"
"Just now."
Quinlan's smile stiffened a bit. "Harriet, you're here?"
"I don't think we're that familiar, Ms. Stewart." Harriet smiled. "Please call me Mrs. Lancaster."
Quinlan smiled faintly. "Ms. Getty seems very concerned about this title. Or are you particularly afraid Tristan will leave you, so you need to keep emphasizing your status?"
Tristan's face darkened. "Do you know what you're saying?"
"Tristan, I'm just speaking the truth." Quinlan said. "I'm sure Ms. Getty isn't someone who can't handle the truth, right?"
"Well said." Harriet stood up and walked to Tristan's side. "Ms. Stewart is right. I am afraid of being abandoned by my husband."
She took Tristan's arm and looked up at him, her eyes clear and bright. "So, honey, will you abandon me?"
The word "honey" pleased Tristan greatly. He reached up and pinched her beautiful face. "Don't talk nonsense."
Quinlan's smile immediately cracked. "Ms. Getty, this is Apex Global Group, a workplace. Isn't it inappropriate for you to be so affectionate here?"
Harriet raised an eyebrow. "We're husband and wife being affectionate—it's legal and reasonable. Do we need to pick a time and place?"
"Of course, if Ms. Stewart finds it unpleasant, you can leave. After all, this is Tristan's office."
Quinlan gritted her teeth, her smile unchanged. "Tristan, I'll go out first. Let me know when you're ready to discuss business."
Quinlan had expected Tristan to ask Harriet to go home first, but he just responded with a casual sound, his eyes on Harriet the whole time.
Quinlan's face changed with anger as she turned and left in her heels.
The office door closed, and Harriet immediately let go of Tristan's hand.
"What's wrong?" Tristan noticed her mood. "Are you angry?"
"Shouldn't I be angry?" Harriet asked back.
Tristan looked confused. "You need to tell me what happened first before I can judge."
Harriet thought for a moment and asked, "This Ms. Stewart isn't just a regular employee, is she? What's your relationship with her exactly?"
Tristan cupped her face. "You're angry because of her?"
"Answer my question first, then I'll decide whether to be angry."
Tristan took her hand and sat down on the sofa. "Quinlan is my uncle's adopted daughter, so she's like my cousin. She's been working for me since she graduated from college, and she's close with Finnegan too."
Harriet frowned. "How come I didn't know there was someone like this at the Lancaster Group?"
"She's not at the Lancaster Group. She's been overseas."
Harriet looked puzzled. "You have business overseas?"
"Yes." Tristan said. "She's capable, and since she's from my mother's family, naturally she's more loyal than outsiders."
Harriet looked at him.It seemed he genuinely couldn't tell that Quinlan had feelings for him."Then why did she come back?"
"She's been overseas for many years. Now she wants to come back, so it's only right that I transfer her back."
Harriet said nothing.
"What's wrong?" Tristan looked at her sullen face and finally realized. "You're not actually angry about Quinlan, are you?"
"Shouldn't I be angry?" Harriet nearly rolled her eyes. "Did you forget that when I went to Cloud Bay to find you, she answered the door wrapped in a bathrobe?"
"Didn't I already explain that?" Tristan gripped her shoulders. "That was just a coincidence. Nothing could happen between her and me."
"Of course I believe you." Harriet pouted. "Forget it, let's not talk about this. I'm going home."
Just as Harriet was about to stand up, Tristan caught her waist and pulled her into his arms.
"What are you doing?" Harriet tried to push his hands away. "I'm going home."
"You're still upset. " Tristan chuckled. "Let me keep you company."
"No need." Harriet said proudly. "You should work first, so people don't think you can't separate work from personal life, fooling around in the office during work hours."
Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Since people already think that, wouldn't it be a waste not to make it true?"
"What..."
Before Harriet could finish, Tristan kissed her.