Chapter 296: Love to the Point of Losing Oneself
Near noon, Harriet went to the kitchen, planning to cook for Tristan herself.
As she reached the kitchen door, she heard a woman's voice.
"Mr. Romanov and Ms. Getty already have a strained relationship. You can't even deliver a bowl of soup properly. I really don't know what use you are..."
"Don't think that just because Mr. Romanov slept with you a few times, you're part of the family. Your dad is a driver, your mom used to be a servant taking care of Mrs. Romanov. You've been working for them since you were little. Remember your place at all times."
Coralie was preparing ingredients on her own, not saying a word.
The maid Veda Adams was furious. "I'm talking to you. Are you deaf?"
Seeing Coralie remain silent, Veda stepped forward to pinch her ear.
The next second, her wrist was grabbed by someone's hand.
Veda turned around and saw Harriet. She immediately put on a respectful smile. "Ms. Getty."
Harriet smiled faintly. "When I first entered the Lancaster family, people looked down on me too. Maids, drivers, gardeners—everyone could step on me. Later, guess what happened to those people?"
Veda wasn't stupid. She immediately understood what Harriet meant. "How can Coralie compare to you?"
"Indeed, she can't. After all, my situation back then was even worse than hers." Harriet let go of her hand. "Back then, I was just married into the Lancaster family to bring good luck. My husband and I hadn't even had sex. Ms. Walker is different. I heard Mr. Romanov doesn't get close to women, and Ms. Walker is the only woman he's ever touched. Such a special person—aren't you afraid that one day she might actually become the wife of the Romanov family heir?"
Although Veda didn't think Coralie could rise to that position, since Harriet was speaking up for Coralie, she naturally didn't dare argue.
"Ms. Getty is right. I know I was wrong."
This Harriet before her was not only the real daughter of the Romanov family but also Tristan's wife. Her status was obvious.
Caspian had personally instructed everyone in the Romanov family to take good care of Harriet without any mistakes.
Harriet didn't continue to make things difficult. "I hope you truly realize your mistake. Go on with your work."
"Yes." Veda quickly left.
Coralie said gratefully, "Thank you, Ms. Getty."
Harriet asked, "Do they often bully you like this? And dare to lay hands on you?"
"No, not everyone dares to touch me." Coralie explained, "This Veda just now is the maid who takes care of Mrs. Romanov. Both Mr. Mason Romanov and Caspian value her highly, so only she dares..."
"No matter how much the Romanov family values her, you shouldn't let her bully you." Harriet frowned. "If no one in the Romanov family stands up for you, you should fight back yourself. Being submissive will only make people bully you more."
"I'm insignificant. Even if I fight back, it won't help." Coralie lowered her head and spoke timidly, "Besides, I don't want to cause trouble and make Caspian unhappy."
"Do you love Caspian very much?"
Coralie nodded shyly.
Harriet felt a bit dazed. "I once loved a man in a wealthy family so much that I lost myself."
"Mr. Lancaster?"
"Yes."
"But our situations are different. Mr. Lancaster loves you very much."
"That was later." Harriet collected herself. "It is indeed different. At least in the Lancaster family, no servants dared to bully me like this. I just think—everyone comes from somewhere. Why should they bully you like this? And you shouldn't let others bully you."
"Veda treating me this way isn't without reason. My dad still hasn't been found. Maybe he really is Lark's accomplice." Coralie forced a smile. "If that's true, I probably can't stay in the Romanov family anymore."
"Since he hasn't been found, don't overthink it." Harriet looked at her. "Besides, you're pregnant with Caspian's child. He shouldn't be so heartless as to blame you for your father's actions, right?"
Coralie's expression changed. "How did you know?"
"This morning I saw you throwing up in the bathroom. I've had children—your condition looks like morning sickness." Harriet took her hand to examine it. "You are indeed pregnant. Congratulations."
Coralie quickly lowered her voice. "Ms. Getty, can you please keep this secret for me?"
"Why?" Harriet was curious. "Elowen got pregnant with an illegitimate child and thought she was carrying the Romanov family's treasure. You're carrying the child of the heir Caspian. Your status is naturally much higher than hers."
"Caspian doesn't love me and won't love my child either. If he finds out, he'll definitely make me abort this baby!"
Harriet frowned. "He's that heartless?"
"You don't understand him. In this life, the only people he cares about besides his grandfather and mother are you. Everyone else is dispensable to him." Coralie pleaded, "So Ms. Getty, I'm begging you to keep this secret for me."
"I've never liked meddling in others' affairs," Harriet said calmly. "And I don't want to get involved in matters between you two."
"Thank you, Ms. Getty."
That evening, Jasper called.
"Harriet, I've completed the divorce procedures. After all, we were married. Xanthe gave birth to a daughter for me. Whatever money she asked for, I agreed to it all."
Harriet had already learned from the bodyguards that Xanthe had taken all the money in both their names, and the house went to her too.
Jasper basically left with nothing and was now staying in a hotel.
"Uncle Jasper has always treated her well. It's not surprising you agreed to her terms," Harriet said. "I have several properties. Two are near the restaurant. I'll have someone take you to see them. Whichever one you like, I'll transfer it to you."
"How can I accept that?" Jasper quickly refused. "How can I take your house?"
"Uncle Jasper, I was always going to take care of you in your old age. One house is nothing."
"Harriet, you're not my real niece after all. You don't need to take care of me in my old age."
"I won't take back what I've said. You'll always be my family."
"But I can't become your burden," Jasper said. "I'll rent a place first. The restaurant business is doing well. In less than two years, I can save up for a down payment and buy a house then."
Harriet didn't insist. "Whatever makes you happy."
"Harriet, there's one more thing I haven't had a chance to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Right after I landed in Emberfall, people from the Romanov family found me. They said they wanted to thank the Getty family for raising you and told me to name any condition."
She remained silent.
"Harriet, I could tell the Romanov family was very sincere, but I refused," Jasper said. "When my parents decided to bring you back to the Getty family to raise you, it wasn't for these things. So I can't take the Romanov family's money."
"Like you said, you're part of the Getty family. Raising you was what the Getty family should do. The Getty family may be poor, but we have our pride."
Harriet smiled. "Uncle Jasper, there are only the two of us left in the Getty family now. We really can't let Grandpa and Grandma down."
"Your grandparents are in heaven, seeing you doing so well now and having a child, would make them very happy."
Upstairs in the study.
Caspian was handling business when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
It was Ulysses who entered, walking in with a face blooming like a flower.
Caspian glanced at him. "Did you win the lottery? Why are you smiling like that?"
"Would winning the lottery make me smile?" Ulysses brought over a fruit plate. "I personally had the maid cut this fruit for you. Try some."
"I don't like fruit."
"No wonder you always have that cold face." Ulysses ate a grape. "You should eat more fruit like me to be likable, my brother-in-law."
Caspian frowned. "What did you call me?"
"Our two families have a marriage agreement. What, trying to back out now?"
Caspian stopped his work and leaned back in his chair. "You want to marry Harriet?"
"I told you before—I really like her," Ulysses said while eating fruit. "I never expected this to happen. She's actually your real sister, my destined fiancée. Of course I should fulfill the agreement and marry her!"
"Looks like the Clifford family has really spoiled you rotten." Caspian tapped his fingers on the wooden desk. "Forget about Harriet not liking you—if you want to steal someone from Tristan, I think you're looking to make your whole family disappear."
Ulysses exclaimed, "But I just like Harriet. What should I do?"
"Harriet and Tristan are very happy together. I won't let you mess things up, so give up on this idea early," Caspian said. "Your sister is no good—I won't have her. My sister is already married and can't marry you. So the marriage agreement between our families ends here."
Ulysses' mouth twitched. "If your Romanov family hadn't lost Harriet, she wouldn't have ended up out there and would have married me long ago."
Caspian froze, a trace of pain flashing across his handsome face.
Ulysses realized he'd said the wrong thing and cleared his throat. "Don't feel bad. Isn't the current situation good? It's much better than having someone like Lark as your sister."
"But Harriet won't forgive me."
"Harriet is an incredibly kind person. Someone that kind should have a soft heart. Give her time—she'll forgive you."
Caspian looked up at him. "You can actually comfort people now? That's rare."
"Who told you to be Harriet's brother? Otherwise I wouldn't bother with you."
"My sister is beautiful with a good personality. Plenty of men like her, but she only likes Tristan. Watch yourself and don't cause her trouble, or I won't let you off."
"And here I just comforted you, and you're already turning cold."
"There's one more thing." Caspian's expression turned cold. "Your sister Quinlan probably can't be protected anymore."
Ulysses' smile froze.
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I'd almost forgotten. Harriet is your real sister—how were you able to protect mine?" Ulysses pouted. "Whatever. I don't like her anyway. Embarrassing thing."
"Logically, to please Harriet, I should immediately bring Quinlan before her to deal with as she pleases."
"You're not planning to do that?" Ulysses was curious. "You don't need to consider me. I have no feelings for Quinlan. As long as Harriet is happy, do as you like."
"Just because you don't like her doesn't mean your family is willing to give her up," Caspian said carefully. "Our families have been friends for generations. I don't want this matter to affect our relationship."
"So I won't make a move against Quinlan, but I won't continue protecting her either. I'll send her back to the Clifford family and explain the situation."
"As for how Tristan deals with her, that's not my concern. After all, by not dealing with her for my sister's sake, I've already given the Clifford family plenty of face."
Ulysses nodded. "That is indeed a huge favor. Do as you like. It has nothing to do with me anyway."