Chapter 218 Seducing Him
A few seconds later, Tristan wrapped his arm around Harriet's slender waist, turning passive into active, and deepened the kiss.
The two kissed passionately, wishing they could merge into each other's very being.
After a long while, Tristan finally released her, breathing heavily, his eyes filled with suppressed desire. "Mrs. Lancaster, if I weren't in such a hurry to get back, I'd really want to make love to you right now!"
Harriet's eyes were moist. "Tristan, thank you."
"I know that actually, sleeping with Lark for one night would be the simplest solution for you. You didn't need to go to all this trouble."
"I also know you chose the harder path to spare my feelings."
Tristan cupped her face. "Honey, I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for myself."
He smiled. "I know I can't live without you, so of course I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy and keep you by my side."
Harriet's eyes welled up. "I won't leave you. We'll never be apart, for the rest of our lives."
"Okay." Tristan lowered his head to kiss the corner of her lips. "If you keep tempting me like this, I really won't want to leave."
Harriet reluctantly let him go. "Drive safely."
"Okay."
The next morning, Harriet began her three-month treatment.
At first, Tristan would call several times a day to check in.
But after half a month, the calls became less frequent—just one in the morning and one at night.
Worried, Harriet called Ryder to ask what was going on.
Ryder was reluctant to say much, only mentioning that the Romanov family had not only sent people to Emberfall to back up Lark, but had also begun retaliating against Apex Global Group on all fronts.
Harriet worried all day. When Tristan video-called that evening, she immediately said, "Tristan, you're just the CEO of Apex Global Group. Basically, you're working for someone else. Now the company is suffering because of your personal issues—that can't be right."
"I already asked Dr. Smith about the treatment. I can take care of my health myself, but right now, the priority is to stop all this."
Tristan in the video smiled. "Mrs. Lancaster, do you really think I work for someone else?"
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you ever wondered how I could possibly work for someone else?"
Harriet still didn't understand.
Tristan shook his head helplessly. "I founded Apex Global Group myself."
Harriet suddenly understood. "So Apex Global Group is your company?"
"Yes."
"So you've always had business overseas, and Quinlan has been managing it for you?"
"Yes."
Harriet breathed a sigh of relief. "But the Romanov family isn't to be taken lightly. Can you handle them?"
"Don't worry, I'm not easy to bully." Tristan looked at her. "It's just that I've been really busy lately and can't contact you as much. Don't be upset."
"How could I be upset?" Harriet said softly. "I'm just really worried about you."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
At that moment, Lark had just learned the news too.
"Damn it!" The wine glass in Lark's hand was smashed heavily on the ground, shattering into pieces. "How could Tristan be so young and own such a huge corporation? How could Apex Global Group be his!"
"Ms. Brown, it's absolutely true." York reported. "Actually, after Apex Global Group was established, the legendary boss behind it never appeared—there were signs all along, but no one looked into it. Turns out this so-called boss behind the scenes is Tristan himself."
Lark's face turned pale with anger. "Then how powerful is he exactly? Isn't the Romanov family attacking Apex Global Group on all fronts? Why haven't I heard any bad news about him!"
"Ms. Brown, this is Tristan's territory after all."
"Then keep pressuring him!"
"Ms. Brown, please calm down. Think about it—Tristan made such a big move, took Dr. Smith away, and afterward not only did nothing trace back to him, but we ended up in trouble instead."
"His people knocked out all our bodyguards with tranquilizer guns, then called the police. When the police came, they found guns on our people, so they were all arrested and locked up. Now we're seriously short-handed and it's inconvenient to get things done."
The more Lark listened, the angrier she got. "If we're short-handed, get more people. Don't make excuses!"
"Yes." York said with difficulty, "Ms. Brown, there's one more thing I need to report."
"Speak!"
"Your adoptive mother, Ms. Opal Campbell, probably can't be saved."
Lark stood up abruptly. "How is that possible! Isn't the Romanov family pulling strings?"
"The Romanov family can pull strings, but so can Tristan." York sighed. "Ms. Campbell's premeditated murder is an established fact. Without Tristan's pressure, the Romanov family might have been able to work something out—at least avoid the death penalty. But now, because of Tristan's pressure, the death penalty is unavoidable. And the execution date has been set—the end of this month."
Lark's legs gave way and she collapsed on the floor. "No... she can't die... she can't die!"
"Ms. Brown, there's nothing we can do about this now. All we can do is arrange for you to see Ms. Campbell one last time before the execution."
Lark covered her face with her hands and broke down crying. "If I had known it would come to this, I should have agreed to Tristan's terms that day..."
"He gave me a chance. He said as long as I handed over Dr. Smith to treat Gemma and Harriet, he wouldn't interfere with me saving her..."
"Now not only has Dr. Smith been taken by him, but I can't save my mother either..."
Lark soon met with Opal in prison.
Opal had originally seen hope of survival, dreaming about living the high life with Lark in the Romanov family after getting out.
But before she could decide whether to live in a luxury villa or have the Romanov family buy her a private island, she received news that the original verdict was upheld.
Opal's hair turned white overnight. She completely lost her spirit and looked like a frail old woman.
As soon as she saw Lark, Opal anxiously questioned her. "Lark, what's going on? How could the verdict be upheld? Didn't you have the Romanov family pull strings for me?"
Lark held her hand. "Mom, Tristan is determined to see you dead. There's nothing I can do to save you."
"That won't do!" Opal cried. "Lark, think of something else. You're the Romanov family's daughter now—there must be a way, right? I only killed someone for your sake. You can't abandon me!"
"Mom, I've tried everything, but there's really no way." Hatred flashed in Lark's eyes. "This is all because of Harriet! I definitely won't let her get away with this!"
"That's not the point!" Opal was completely broken. "Lark, as long as I can get out of here alive, nothing else matters. I'll even give up revenge on Harriet! Lark, save me, save me! I don't want to die!"
Lark couldn't help but cry. "Mom, I really have no way. I'm sorry."
Opal fell into complete despair.
"Mom, I brought your favorite dishes from before. Eat more." Lark took out a thermos container through her tears. "This is the last time we'll see each other, and the last time we'll eat together."