Chapter 389 You Are Lying to Me

Chapter 389 You Are Lying to Me

After Harriet arranged things for Tamsin, she headed straight back to Cloud Bay.

As soon as she got home, Tristan's call came through.

"Honey, are you done with everything?"

"I just got home."

"You must be tired today, get some good rest."

Harriet sat down on the sofa. "Tristan, actually, for some things, you don't need to worry so much about me. You can tell me directly."

"Honey, what do you mean?"

Harriet took a deep breath, holding back the tears in her eyes. "Ms. Rodriguez's daughter is already dead. The person at today's funeral wasn't her daughter at all, right?"

"How did you know?"

"Griffin wanted to make me suffer, so he left no one alive. After confirming Ms. Rodriguez was dead, he silenced everyone." Harriet's tears fell uncontrollably. "He sent me photos of Ms. Rodriguez's daughter's death scene. It was horrific."

"I'm sorry." Tristan's low voice carried a sense of helplessness. "It's my fault. I didn't save her in time."

"It has nothing to do with you." Harriet raised her hand to wipe away her tears, but they just kept coming. "Before that, we didn't even know Ms. Rodriguez had a daughter. The real culprit is Griffin."

"He wants to make me suffer, wants to turn me into someone full of hatred like him, but I won't give him what he wants." A cold determination spread through Harriet's eyes. "The more pain I feel, the calmer I need to be. I won't give him another chance to hurt me!"

"Harriet, you're right." Tristan said in a deep voice. "Killing him isn't the goal—protecting ourselves is. Going down together would be easy, but it's not worth it."

Harriet choked up. "From now on, whatever happens, you can tell me directly. I may be fragile, but I'm not that weak. Give me some time, and I can slowly accept it."

"Okay, from now on, no matter what happens, I won't hide it from you." Tristan said gently. "Be good now, go take a hot bath, then come downstairs to eat."

"I know."

"Good girl, go ahead."

Tamsin was placed in the lab, but her movements were still restricted, with people watching her 24/7.

The difference was that she was now researching witchcraft, spared from the previous physical torture.

Watching her focused expression through the surveillance, Ryder asked, "Mrs. Lancaster, do you think what Tamsin said is believable? She won't try to trick and harm you, will she?"

"I haven't thought about whether she's trustworthy or not." Harriet said calmly. "I only need to look at what I gain or lose."

"With Ms. Rodriguez gone, the pace of witchcraft research has obviously slowed down. If this continues, we'll only become more and more passive."

"Tamsin is skilled in witchcraft. Having her help saves me a lot of trouble. Why not?"

Ryder nodded, but still couldn't help worrying. "Actually, Mr. Lancaster thinks the same way, but I'm still worried Tamsin has bad intentions."

"Her every move is under our surveillance, nothing will go wrong." Harriet said. "Besides, I won't let my guard down around her. I won't have easy contact with her. If she tries to kill me, things would get messy."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about. I'm glad you're aware."

"Don't worry."

On the weekend, Mason asked everyone to come back to the Romanov family villa for dinner.

Everyone arrived except Tristan.

Although Harriet's situation wasn't resolved yet, Mason looked very happy today.

He raised his glass to make a toast. "I called everyone back today because I have good news to announce. Coralie is pregnant again. The Romanov family is going to have a new life."

Atticus smiled faintly. "Caspian, didn't you say you and Coralie broke up? How is she pregnant again?"

"An accident." Caspian replied flatly.

Atticus raised his glass. "Well, congratulations then. You're going to be a father again."

Caspian clinked glasses with him from across the table. "Thanks."

"It really is good news." Sabrina said with a smile. "I'll go buy a gift for Coralie another day."

Coralie nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you."

"Harriet, you seem to have lost some weight?" Sabrina looked at Harriet. "I brought you some supplements. I'll have someone send them to you later."

"Thank you." Harriet responded politely. "That's very thoughtful of you."

"We're all family, no need to be polite."

The smile on Mason's face grew wider. "Seeing you all getting along so well makes me very happy."

"I called you back today because I want to announce an important decision."

"To continue the family legacy, the Romanov family has always used an inheritance system. As members of the Romanov family, you're born having to work harder than others to become the heir."

"Caspian is excellent, but Atticus isn't bad either. I just had to choose one person to inherit the business."

"A while ago, Harriet talked to me. She felt this was very unfair. Healthy competition is good, of course, but the rise and fall of a family doesn't depend only on the heir's ability alone—it should depend on the whole family's unity."

"I've reflected on this, and discussed it with Caspian, and we've made a decision together."

"I'll prepare my will. After I die, the shares of the Romanov Group will be inherited fairly by the four of you, with absolutely no favoritism."

"Four people?" Atticus was shocked. "Grandpa, you mean me, Caspian, Harriet, and Yvonne?"

"Exactly."

Yvonne's knife and fork fell to the floor, looking completely confused. "I... I get a share too?"

Mason said, "Girls in the Romanov family originally had no inheritance rights. They only got a generous gift when they got married. Harriet criticized me for this. In today's society, men and women are equal. So Yvonne, you can not only inherit my estate, you don't even need to marry for alliance. You can stay single your whole life."

Yvonne was so moved that tears streamed down her face. "Really?"

"Yes, really. But the condition is that you must be a good person and not do anything harmful to the family. Otherwise, Caspian has the right to take back the shares in your hands at any time."

Yvonne nodded vigorously. "Grandpa, I absolutely won't hurt anyone in the family!"

She turned her head, looking at Harriet with gratitude, her eyes nearly overflowing with admiration.

Harriet smiled at her.

"Harriet said she doesn't need to inherit my estate, so when the time comes, she'll take out all the shares in her hands and distribute them to the younger generation. Whether you manage the Romanov Group together or split up the family, I won't be able to control it anymore. I only hope that each of you can live well and happily. Then even if I die, I can rest in peace."

Harriet served Mason some food. "Grandpa, harmony brings prosperity to the family. Caspian and Atticus will manage the Romanov Group. Your job is to relax at home and enjoy your retirement."

"Okay, I'll listen to Harriet." Mason said with a cheerful smile. "Let's raise our glasses again to celebrate this important decision for our family."

The meal was enjoyed in a harmonious atmosphere.

After dinner, Atticus found Harriet in the garden, carrying a wine bottle and two glasses.

"Harriet."

"Atticus."

"Shall we have a drink?"

Harriet smiled. "I'd be happy to."

The two sat down at an outdoor table nearby. Atticus poured two glasses and said, "Why did you make that suggestion to Grandpa? You know the current situation can't be changed by anyone. The Romanov Group will always be Caspian's."

Harriet took a light sip of red wine. "Atticus, have you ever thought that maybe Caspian doesn't really want to be the heir?"

Atticus was surprised. "He said that himself?"

Harriet nodded. "Caspian said that from the moment he became aware of things, he knew Mom had lost her mind and his sister was missing. He could only take care of Mom and find his sister if he was strong enough. So he worked very, very hard to become the heir—not for the position itself, but for Mom and me."

Harriet's eyes moistened. "Now, although Mom still hasn't woken up, I've come back. He doesn't need to carry such heavy pressure anymore."

"And Atticus, although you've always been competitors, you're also brothers. We're all family—of course we don't need to worry about all this."

"Money and fame are just external things. Between these external things and family, of course family is more important."

Atticus was silent for a long time before speaking. "Harriet, actually I..."

"Atticus." Harriet immediately interrupted him. "Whatever happened in the past is already over and doesn't matter anymore."

Atticus drained the red wine from his glass in one gulp. "Okay, let's not talk about the past. But the fact that Caspian became the heir shows his ability is above mine. No matter how Grandpa distributes the estate, the Romanov Group will be run independently by Caspian alone. I absolutely won't interfere."

Harriet laughed. "Then Caspian probably won't be willing. Why should he be the only one working?"

Atticus laughed out loud. "True. If he needs it, I'll give him my full support."

Harriet raised her glass. "I'll thank you on Caspian's behalf."

"I should be the one thanking you."

After returning from the Romanov family villa, Harriet sat at her vanity removing her earrings.

Tristan made a video call. "Honey, you look like you're in a really good mood."

"The Romanov family is more harmonious than ever before. Of course I'm in a good mood." Harriet indeed felt much lighter.

The Romanov family didn't have open conflicts, but there were hidden struggles.

Since Caspian didn't value the Romanov Group that much, he didn't mind ending the hidden rivalry between brothers this way.

So after the siblings discussed it, they made the decision.

It's not easy to become family in this lifetime—they shouldn't turn against each other over external things.

"That's how it should be." Tristan said with a smile. "If Caspian thinks the Romanov Group is too small, he can come to Apex Global Group. I'll give him my position."

"Nice try. Caspian should have his own life too, not live his whole life for Mom and me."

"You're right."

Harriet sighed. "I really hope Mom can regain consciousness soon, so our family can truly be reunited."

"Haven't you been researching Mom's condition?"

"Yes, but there's been no real progress."

"Mom hasn't been like this for just a day or two. Treatment will definitely take time. You need to give her time."

"I know. I believe that one day, Mom will wake up."

"I believe it too."

With Tamsin's involvement, the witchcraft research at the lab progressed smoothly.

In less than half a month, Tamsin had someone contact Harriet, asking her to come and inspect the results.

Harriet arrived as scheduled.

Tamsin was quite proud. "Harriet, no matter how capable you are in other areas, when it comes to witchcraft, don't even think about surpassing me."

"Indeed." Harriet smiled. "You really are amazing. Otherwise, Tristan and I wouldn't have ended up like this."

Tamsin smiled faintly. "Compared to the witchcraft used on you two, what you asked for is actually the simplest kind. You just need to add the most toxic poison—it's a piece of cake. Are you planning to use this witchcraft as an example to research how to remove the witchcraft on yourself?"

"Not exactly." Harriet answered honestly. "I'm planning to fight poison with poison, use it to remove the witchcraft in my body."

Tamsin frowned. "How do you know about this method?"

Harriet was curious. "From your reaction, you know about it too?"

"No!" Tamsin immediately denied it. "I'm just curious how you thought of this method."

"Ms. Rodriguez brought quite a few books about witchcraft. It was recorded in the books."

"Just because it's recorded in books doesn't mean it will work." Tamsin said seriously. "This extreme method can easily cost you your life if you're not careful!"

"Are you concerned about me?" Harriet raised an eyebrow. "Why do I feel like you're not that kind-hearted?"

"I'm just stating facts." Tamsin coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness. "Harriet, you need to think this through."

"I've thought it through very clearly. I'd rather die than be controlled by Griffin now, unable to reunite with my husband." Harriet smiled. "I'm not afraid of death at all. But if I succeed, everything can end."

"So that's your plan."

Harriet looked at her. "You can go back now."

"Go back where?"

"Back to where you came from, of course. Don't worry, I'll tell my people to just keep you confined, not hurt you. If the witchcraft on my body is removed, I'll keep my promise and let you go, and give you some money. But if I fail..." Harriet smiled. "Then I'll be dead, and I won't be able to control how they deal with you—Tristan will decide. But you can rest assured, since it's recorded in medical books, there's still a chance of success."

"Even if this witchcraft can't remove the witchcraft in my body, I have ways to detoxify this witchcraft's poison. And I think, with its toxins being so strong, maybe it really will succeed."

A barely noticeable gleam flashed in Tamsin's eyes. "Are you going to use this witchcraft right now?"

"Of course."

"I'll help you." Tamsin took out the newly researched tangible witchcraft from the container, but instead of handing it to Harriet, she suddenly pulled out a lighter from her body. "Nobody move!"

Harriet frowned. "Tamsin, what are you trying to do?"

"Harriet, you don't really think I actually wanted to cooperate with you, do you?"

Harriet's brow furrowed tighter. "So you were lying to me?"

"That's right. I was curious about your next move, so I pretended to make peace, just to see what you were really planning. I didn't expect you to be quite clever, actually thinking of this method to remove the witchcraft in your body."

Harriet looked at her with interest. "From your reaction now, this method really is feasible."