"Don't let your imagination run wild," Joseph said, heading to the bathroom. "Go back and get some rest."
Olivia nodded, only relaxing when she heard the water running. She finally let the corners of her mouth lift into a smile.
No one was more principled than Joseph.
If he said it, he would definitely divorce Harper.
Then he would be with her.
When Joseph came out after his shower, he looked a bit apologetic. "Sorry, there's an emergency surgery at the hospital. I might not be able to take you home."
Olivia immediately showed her understanding. "It's okay, I can go back by myself. The surgery is first, just go."
Joseph nodded. "Alright. I'll head out now. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay."
Once Joseph's upright figure disappeared from sight, Olivia finally relaxed. She smiled contentedly. "Harper, so what if you're married to Joseph? After today, the person by his side will be me."
Olivia pulled back the covers, looking at the marks on the bed with a cold smile, her eyes flashing with a chilling light.
She yanked the sheets off and threw them on the floor. At that moment, her phone rang.
Olivia glanced at the caller ID and chuckled before answering. "Ava."
It was Ava on the other end.
"Olivia, I forgot to ask you about last night. You told me to stop Harper from going to the wedding banquet, but I couldn't. Did she cause you any trouble?"
Hearing this, Olivia's eyes darkened. Ava was useless, unable to even stop Harper from attending the banquet.
But it didn't matter; none of it mattered anymore.
"Don't worry, Joseph was with me at the hotel last night. He said he would divorce Harper today and take responsibility for me."
One sentence was enough to say it all!
Ava on the other end realized what had happened and beamed with joy. "Since Joseph said so, it's settled! Olivia, only you deserve to be Joseph's wife!"
"Ava," Olivia pretended to be shy, "I know you're waiting for a grandchild. Don't worry, I'll do my best."
As Olivia spoke, a cold glint appeared in her eyes.
Once Joseph divorced today, she would have plenty of opportunities to be his woman!
Meanwhile, Harper returned home as the sky fully brightened.
She went to the bathroom to clean herself up.
The delicate water splashed on her face without dodging or flinching, closing her eyes as if it could clear her mind.
Her body was covered in marks of intimacy that no amount of washing could remove.
Scenes of their passionate moments involuntarily flashed in her mind.His gentleness, restraint, sensuality, and wildness were all sides of him she had never seen before.
"Harper, don't mention divorce again."
"Harper, don't be with other men, okay?"
"Harper, don't be afraid."
Joseph's husky, charming voice seemed to echo in her ear. Harper raised her hand to cover her face, unable to tell if it was tears or water trickling through her fingers.
She couldn't understand why Joseph had called Olivia over and then had a relationship with her.
Or was there some misunderstanding?
Thinking of this, Harper couldn't help but smile bitterly. It was really poisoned.
Just because of a physical relationship, she instinctively began making excuses for Joseph.
Harper shook her head, trying to clear her mind. What she needed now was to wait for Joseph's answer.
She wanted to know his decision.
As the sun rose high, at nine in the morning, outside the T-shine company building.
Brian sat in the car, eyes scanning the entrance.
Employees hurried into the building. Brian straightened his suit and stepped out of the car.
"Has she arrived?"
Ethan, in the back, quickly thought and then said, "She probably hasn't arrived yet. Mr. Lewis, you go up first. I'll bring Miss Taylor to your office."
"Okay."
Brian responded and walked to the elevator. Suddenly, he stopped and turned around. "Is there any problem with my outfit?"
"Of course not."
Ethan couldn't help but think,' Brian's custom suits cost as much as two months of his salary, how could there be any problem?'
But he dared not say this out loud and had to maintain a meticulous expression to match Brian's rigor.
Brian, hearing Ethan's words, straightened his collar and walked into the elevator.
But a few minutes later, the news Ethan brought back made Brian disappointed.
Brian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, one hand in his trouser pocket and the other holding a cup of black coffee, his posture tall and straight.
But his face visibly changed, from the anticipation of the morning to a darkened expression.
"Harper took another day off?"
Ethan awkwardly touched his nose, not daring to speak.
Brian thought for a moment and decided to call the number Harper had given him.
On the other side of the phone, Harper sat on her bed, waiting for Joseph's call.
When her phone vibrated, her eyes lit up, but seeing the caller ID, the light in her eyes faded.
"Bro"
"Harper, why didn't you come to work today? Are you feeling unwell?"
Hearing the concern in the voice on the phone, Harper's carefully built mental defenses nearly crumbled, and a wave of grievance surged up, tinged with bitterness.
"I have something to deal with."
Harper shrank under the covers, her voice small. "I'll tell you when I get to the office."
She thought Joseph should give her an explanation today.
She didn't want to miss his call, so for now.
"Is it something important?"
"Yes." Harper nodded emphatically. "Very important."
"Alright, I hope it's good news."
Harper's eyes darkened, and she murmured, "I hope so too."
After hanging up, Harper looked at her phone, feeling sad.
It was almost noon.
Why hadn't he given her any news?
Was he still with Olivia?
Or had he gone to work at the hospital?
Just as she was thinking, her phone vibrated again, the sensation numbing her hand.
Harper snapped out of her thoughts and saw it was Joseph calling!
She immediately answered, her voice tinged with nervousness. "Hello..."
"Are you at home?"
Joseph's hushed voice came through the phone as if it carried an electric current, causing Harper's heartstrings to tingle.
"Yes, I'm home. Do you have something to say?"
Unexpectedly, Joseph fell silent.
Harper wasn't in a hurry to press the issue; she was waiting, waiting for the answer she wanted.
A few seconds later, Joseph spoke again.
A sentence Harper would never forget for the rest of her life.
"Didn't we agree to handle the divorce paperwork today? Leave home now, and we'll meet directly outside the courthouse."