Chapter 91: Cannot Divorce
Harriet pressed her lips together slightly. "I know Tristan got hurt because of me. I can promise that I'll be much more careful from now on and won't let him get hurt because of me again."
"I don't want your promise. Even if you promise to never leave the house, it won't solve the real problem," Owen said coldly. "Let me be more direct—the heir of the Lancaster family cannot fall truly in love."
Harriet explained, "Tristan doesn't love me."
"Really?" Owen smiled. "I don't think so. If he didn't love you, would he protect you so recklessly?"
Harriet froze.
She didn't understand why Tristan was willing to risk his life to protect her either.
She had wondered if Tristan might like her a little, but he had personally admitted he didn't love her.
Harriet's mind was a mess, but one thing was crystal clear: "Dad, I won't divorce Tristan."
Owen frowned, his expression showing impatience. "Harriet, I hope you understand—I'm informing you, not discussing this with you."
Harriet stated calmly, "I know that in terms of background and family status, I'm not good enough for Tristan. But I believe when Grandma decided to have me marry Tristan, she must have carefully considered the issue of matching social status. If this really mattered that much, even if Tristan and I were very compatible, Grandma wouldn't have let me marry into the family."
"As for what you said about Tristan taking a knife for me because he has feelings for me—even if that's true, I want to ask you, Dad, don't you really think having feelings is a good thing? Do you really want Tristan to be an emotionless heir to a wealthy family?"
Owen's face darkened. "The strong never need emotions."
Harriet was silent for a moment, then said, "Is that the lesson you learned from moving so many women?"
Owen laughed instead of getting angry. "Who told you I was moved?"
"Isn't that true?" Harriet said. "You have illegitimate children outside. That's probably not a secret in high society, is it?"
Owen laughed out loud. "Just because I have women and illegitimate children outside means I'm sentimental?"
Harriet frowned.
Owen said with a smile, "Little girl, you're too naive. I don't mind telling you—those women are just my playthings. They're willing to throw themselves at me, so why not sleep with them? I'm just different from other men in one way—I'm not afraid of trouble, so I let them have the children. I can afford to raise them anyway."
Harriet couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You've never had feelings for any woman? Including Tristan's mother?"
"The only difference between her and those women outside is that she had the title of being my wife," Owen said, raising an eyebrow. "Otherwise, no difference at all."
Harriet couldn't hide her shock. "But I heard she truly loved you."
"So what?" Owen spread his hands. "Just because she loves me means I have to love her? Or even only love her? Harriet, are you being naive? Oh, and my mom said you love Tristan and that I shouldn't break you two up. Well, I can tell you—even if Tristan has feelings for you right now, he's definitely not the type to be love-obsessed and stay with you forever."
"Men understand men better, and Tristan is my son. My guess is he caught some feelings from sleeping with you—he just hasn't gotten bored yet. Now that he's disabled and can't have sex with you anymore, naturally those feelings will fade. If you're smart, you should take the money now and go live your own life. You need to remember—life in the Lancaster family was never meant for you."
Harriet was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry, I can't agree to your request."
Owen's fingertips tapped the rim of his cup rhythmically. "Are you sure you want to defy me? Harriet, the reason my mom fainted today is because I want you and Tristan to divorce. But even though she doesn't agree, I'm going to insist."
"Is it because of Lark?" Harriet asked. "I heard Lark has been getting close to you these past few days."
Owen smiled. "I thought you were naive, but turns out you have some schemes after all—you've been paying such close attention to Lark's movements."
Harriet hadn't had time to pay attention to Lark at all, but Tristan kept close tabs on Owen's movements. She had heard Ryder report that Lark had gone to see Owen several times while she was keeping Tristan company in the study.
Of course, she wouldn't mention this, so she didn't deny Owen's assumption.
Owen said frankly, "Since you brought up Lark, I might as well tell you the truth. Lark's grandfather died saving Tristan's grandfather when they were young, so the two families arranged a marriage. Later, Lark also saved Tristan's life, but this is a forbidden topic for Tristan, so people don't usually bring it up. But that doesn't mean it can be erased."
"Lark came to beg me, asking that for the sake of the Lancaster family owing the Brown family two lives, she be allowed to marry Tristan. I had no reason to refuse."
Harriet frowned. "But Tristan doesn't love Lark."
"Of course I know that," Owen said dismissively. "In fact, in terms of family status, the Brown family now can't compare with the Lancaster family at all. Lark was pushed down the stairs by you and became disabled—she's not worthy of Tristan at all."
"But the Lancaster family can't be seen as ungrateful. That would affect the Lancaster Group's development. So Lark must marry Tristan. As for the love you mentioned—love is the last thing needed in wealthy family marriages. Tristan shouldn't be indulging in romance either. Marrying a woman he doesn't love but needs to repay is the most suitable arrangement."
Harriet looked at him. "Dad, what you've decided is indeed best for the Lancaster family, but have you asked Tristan what he thinks?"
"No need to ask," Owen said with a light laugh. "If he dares refuse, I dare to change heirs, so he won't dare. Harriet, aren't you very filial? Can you bear to watch the Lancaster family have internal conflicts because of you? Can you live up to the love my mother has shown you?"
Harriet froze.
Haven was the person in this family who loved her most, and her greatest wish was family harmony.
She also knew very well in her heart how difficult her life in the Lancaster family would be if she refused Owen.
"Harriet, I believe you're a smart person. Since Mr. Jones took you as his student, I'll give him some face too." Owen took a sip of coffee and said, "From now on, you'll be the Lancaster family's family doctor. Including Lark, the Lancaster family has six people in total."
"Mr. Jones charges ten million dollars a year. I'll give you twenty million dollars—that's one hundred and twenty million dollars a year."
Owen had the air of someone bestowing charity from on high. One hundred and twenty million dollars was an irresistible fortune, but Harriet felt utterly humiliated.
She and Tristan were still legally married, but Owen had already excluded her and was treating Lark as part of the Lancaster family.
Harriet suppressed the sadness in her chest and looked directly into Owen's eyes with dignity. "Dad, you're very good at attacking people's hearts, but in my view, the family harmony Grandma hopes for isn't a pretense of unity, but genuine happiness for everyone in the family. If divorce could make Tristan happy, I think Grandma would have asked us to divorce long ago, without waiting for you to bring it up."
"As for Lark, Tristan made it very clear to me—he doesn't love Lark, and he'll repay her life-saving debt in other ways. So I'm sorry, I can't agree to divorce Tristan."