Chapter 372: Forced Her to Divorce

"Who told you I'm refusing the divorce to get back together with him?" Harriet sneered. "I, Harriet, wouldn't stoop so low as to take back a dirty man. Men are everywhere on the street - I won't hang myself on his rotten tree. I won't take him back, and I won't let him off easy either. He made me miserable, so I won't let him have it easy."

"Mrs. Lancaster..."

Ryder had just started speaking when Harriet cut him off. "Ryder, I don't want to make things difficult for you, so just pass along what I said to Tristan."

Ryder could only nod. "Yes."

After Ryder left, Harriet took out her phone and called Caspian. "Caspian, I need money and people."

"The bank card in your bag is from me, no limit, spend however you want," Caspian said. "As for people, I'll arrange them for you."

"Aren't you going to ask what I want to do?"

"The Romanov family's money - you couldn't spend it all in several lifetimes. As for people, even more so - use them as you need."

"Thank you."

"I'm still working overtime, I'll come see you later."

"Okay."

A few hours later, Caspian received feedback from his people.

"Mr. Romanov, Ms. Getty spent money hiring quite a few private investigators and thugs. The private investigators are watching Mr. Lancaster's every move. She said if Mr. Lancaster dares to mess around with Tamsin, don't hold back - as long as you don't kill them, beat them within an inch of their lives, both the man and woman."

Caspian said, "Got it, you can go now."

"Yes."

Caspian raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You heard all that?"

On the computer screen was his video call with Tristan, showing Tristan's handsome, cold face.

"I guessed Harriet would have people watching your every move, which is why I didn't dare go see you. Didn't expect I'd be right. I think you'd better send Tamsin away now, or you really will get beaten up. Even though Harriet is gentle and kind, she has the Romanov family genes - she never takes things lying down. If you push her too far, she's capable of anything."

Tristan leaned back in his executive chair, speaking expressionlessly. "If beating me to death could solve the problem, that would be simple. What's the point of sending Tamsin away? My goal is to get Harriet to divorce me in exchange for her safety. What we need to do now is get Harriet to agree to the divorce and stay alive, not worry about whether I'll get beaten up."

"I originally thought Harriet was someone with very high standards about relationships - if you cheated, she definitely wouldn't take you back. But I didn't expect that she wouldn't take you back, but also isn't planning to let you go." Caspian sighed. "Now it seems, even with amnesia, she can't easily let you go. If she really could let go, there'd be no need for her to keep this marriage to make herself miserable. The more she cares, the more she'll hate you."

Tristan irritably pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "But I have to make her let go, make her divorce me. Nothing else matters anymore."

"Tristan, thank you." Caspian didn't know what else to say. "Thank you for being willing to save her life."

"She's my wife. Saving her is what I should do - you don't need to thank me."

Caspian composed himself. "So what are you planning to do now?"

"Keep pushing her until she signs the divorce papers." Tristan's lips twisted. "Don't worry, since I'm standing against her, I naturally won't let the people she hired hurt me."

Harriet continued recovering in the hospital for another week. Apart from looking a bit pale, there were no other problems.

Staying in the hospital was uncomfortable after all, so Caspian picked her up and took her back to the previous villa.

"Harriet, do you miss Della? Should I bring her over?"

Harriet shook her head gently. "My mood hasn't been good these past few days. I'm afraid Della will notice, so let's not see her yet."

"That's fine." Caspian helped her sit down on the sofa. "I'll stay here with you."

"No need." Harriet looked at him. "Caspian, I know you're busy with work, but that's exactly why you should spend your free time with your family."

Caspian smiled. "Aren't you my family?"

"I mean Coralie and Qiana. Yes, we share blood, but they're also the most important people in your life."

"I know what I'm doing." Caspian raised his hand and touched her hair. "Harriet, what are you thinking about Tristan?"

"Caspian, why don't you say what you want to say first."

Caspian was silent for a moment before speaking. "You're someone who can let things go. You shouldn't waste your energy on someone who betrayed you. Better to let go sooner. If you really can't swallow this, I'll help you get even. After you divorce, I'll go after Apex Global Group and leave Tristan with nothing."

"Caspian, I'm not wasting my energy." Harriet smiled faintly. "There are just some things I haven't figured out."

"What things?"

"I keep feeling that Tristan doesn't seem like someone who would put on an act. If he really would cheat with Tamsin, that means all the kindness he showed me before, the kindness to Della - it was all fake. Can someone's acting really be that good?"

"Harriet, people's hearts are hard to read." Caspian sighed softly. "Tristan's love for you in the past was real, and now the marriage has broken down and he's cheating with Tamsin - that's also real. Human nature is like that - it can't stand the test."

Harriet lowered her eyes, lost in thought.

"So Harriet, you're refusing to divorce and having people watch them because you're actually doubting whether Tristan's affair is real. You still have hope for him, thinking all this is fake, right?"

Harriet didn't answer, but her silence was answer enough.

"Harriet, not rushing into divorce and analyzing things calmly - that's good." Caspian looked at her. "But I want to tell you, Tristan's affair is a fact."

Harriet slowly turned her head, meeting his deep eyes.

"You're my sister. Even though you said you'd handle this yourself, I couldn't possibly not get involved." Caspian spoke calmly. "I've already verified it - something did happen between them. Tristan really did betray you."

Harriet's fingers trembled, and her face gradually paled.

"Harriet, I hope you'll accept reality and let yourself go. Understand?"

Harriet quickly looked away, holding back tears as she spoke. "Caspian, I'm tired. You should go back now."

Caspian didn't insist. "Alright, rest well. Call me if you need anything."

Caspian picked up his suit jacket and got up to leave.

He'd only taken a few steps when Harriet's voice came from behind him. "Caspian."

Caspian stopped and turned to look at her. "What is it?"

"Spend time with Coralie." Harriet's lips curved slightly, her gentle voice suddenly seeming aged. "It wasn't easy for you two to be together."

Caspian froze, and after a long moment, nodded. "Okay."

Walking out of the villa, Caspian got into the car waiting by the door.

"Mr. Romanov," the driver in the front seat asked respectfully, "are we heading back to the office now?"

Caspian leaned back in the leather seat and slowly closed his eyes. "Let's go home."

Since the last unpleasant parting with Coralie, the two had rarely seen each other.

Even when they occasionally ran into each other, they hadn't exchanged a single word.

Coralie was changing Qiana's diaper when Caspian came in, and she looked quite surprised.

But she held back from speaking, looked away, and focused on her task.

As soon as Caspian approached, Qiana, lying on the changing table, smiled at him.

Caspian's heart nearly melted at his daughter's smile, and he spoke gently. "Qiana missed Daddy, didn't she? Come on, let's get you dressed and Daddy will hold you."

Coralie let Caspian take Qiana without protest.

She was really worried about Harriet and couldn't help but speak up. "How is Harriet doing?"

"She won't agree to the divorce."

"I don't know, I just feel like Mr. Lancaster isn't that kind of person." Coralie was curious. "And Harriet is so beautiful and wonderful - Tamsin doesn't even qualify to be compared to her. With Mr. Lancaster's taste and standards, how could he possibly be interested in Tamsin?"

"You don't understand men." Caspian played with Qiana's hand, teasing her. "When men are really interested, they can accept any woman."

Coralie froze.

"Maybe that really is you men's fatal flaw." She insisted, "But I still don't want to believe Mr. Lancaster would betray Harriet. He could die for Harriet, but couldn't stay faithful in marriage - does that make sense?"

"I didn't come back to discuss what makes sense with you." Caspian turned to look at her. "I was originally going to have you find time to convince Harriet to divorce, but seeing how much you trust Tristan, if you went, you'd probably just tell her not to divorce."

"I didn't say that." Coralie explained. "I just want to figure out the truth."

"In that case, I'll tell you the truth." Caspian's eyes grew cold. "The truth is, the doctors can't do anything about the curse on Harriet, not even Ms. Smith can help. You guessed right - Tristan didn't cheat, and he never touched Tamsin. But to save Harriet, he has to force her to divorce him."

Coralie was shocked. "So you and Mr. Lancaster are working together to deceive Harriet, just to force her to divorce?"

"If she doesn't divorce, she'll die. What choice do you think I have?"

Coralie nodded with difficulty. "True, if it were me, I'd also choose to save Harriet's life... Mr. Lancaster must be suffering so much."

Caspian might not understand what it felt like to love someone to the extreme, but she could.

Tristan loved her so much he was willing to let go.

So that's what it was - the end of love was being willing to let go.

Caspian looked at the dazed Coralie. "Find time to see Harriet and convince her to divorce as soon as possible."

"I'm not good at lying." Coralie looked up at him. "And Harriet is so smart, she'll easily pick up on something from me. It'll only make things worse."

"You have a point." Caspian said. "Since you can't help, then don't make trouble. The fewer people who know about this, the better. Understand?"

"I understand. I won't even tell Grandpa."

A knock came at the door, followed by Ollie's voice.

"Mr. Caspian Romanov, Mr. Mason Romanov is asking if you'll be home for lunch?"

Coralie had expected him to refuse, but to her surprise, he readily agreed. "I'll be home."

"Yes, sir."

Lunch was lavish.

Qiana lay in the baby seat beside the dining table, making sounds and looking very happy.

"Let's eat." Mason spoke, and only then did the others pick up their utensils.

Mason served Caspian some food. "You're busy with the company and taking care of your sister - I haven't seen you in days."

Caspian nodded. "Sometimes when it gets too late, I just sleep out."

"I can't say anything about you being busy with the company and your sister, but now you have a family. No matter how late it is, you should come home. That's a man's duty to his family."

Caspian's eyes darkened, and he looked up at Coralie sitting beside him.

Coralie was about to speak when Mason cut her off.

"You don't need to look at Coralie like that. She didn't complain to me at all. She wouldn't complain - instead, she's been saying good things about you."

Caspian looked away and gave a cold laugh. "Grandpa, I admit I have a daughter, but I don't admit to having a family."

Coralie's face immediately paled, looking extremely uncomfortable.

"What do you mean by that?" Mason frowned. "Besides a marriage certificate and a wedding ceremony, how are you and Coralie any different from a married couple?"

"Looks like no matter how busy I am, I need to make time to arrange your wedding." Mason decided. "Find time to go get the marriage certificate with Coralie, and as for the wedding, we'll hold it at the end of the year."

Caspian swirled the wine glass in his hand. "Grandpa, who said I was going to marry her?"

"If you don't marry her, who do you want to marry?" Mason looked displeased. "I've always taught you to be faithful in relationships. Especially you and Atticus as men - you need to take on a man's responsibilities. It's one thing for Atticus to go find Elowen, but are you planning to go out and find a mistress too?"

Caspian looked at Mason. "Grandpa, you said I should be faithful in relationships, but do you really think there are feelings between her and me? Don't you know very well how she was forced on me?"

Mason's face turned iron blue with anger. "After all these years, are you still hung up on that?"

"Grandpa!" Coralie quickly got up and went to calm Mason down. "Please don't get upset. It's my fault. Please stop talking."

"Coralie, this has nothing to do with you." Mason stared at Caspian. "Since we're talking about this today, let's clear the air. Caspian, you've been holding a grudge about what happened back then, angry at Coralie and angry at me, because I was the one who made you take responsibility for her, right?"

Caspian put down his wine glass and got up to leave.

"You stop right there..." Mason was so angry he almost couldn't catch his breath. "Caspian!"

"Grandpa!" Coralie was frantic, turning to look at a nearby servant. "Quick, get his medicine!"

Seeing that Mason was alright after taking his medicine, Ollie immediately rushed out the door and called out to Caspian, who was about to get in his car.

"Mr. Caspian Romanov!"

Caspian stopped. "Tell Grandpa I have things to do. I won't have time to have dinner with him for a while."

"I'm not here to ask you to come back." Ollie sighed. "I just wanted to tell you that Mr. Mason Romanov has been in a bad mood lately because he's worried about Ms. Getty. He spoke a bit harshly just now - I hope you won't be angry."

"I'm not angry at Grandpa."

His phone suddenly rang. Caspian answered. "What is it?"

"Mr. Romanov, Ms. Getty just got a phone call and went out alone!"