Chapter 26 He Seems Unhappy Harper was stunned She didnât know how to answer that.
Harper could only press her lips, looking helplessly at Benjamin. It was as if he had received her silent plea for help but chose not to intervene. Instead, he said coolly, âHarper, Momâs asking you a question. You have to back me up here, otherwise Iâll be misunderstood His deep gaze fell on her, seemingly carrying a hint of amusement What did Benjamin mean by that?â Harper thought.
It was clear Benjamin was throwing Harper under the bus.
Feeling awkward, Harper replied , âMom, since grandpa is fine, Benjamin and I will lead out now. Weâve planned to go watch a movie together.â
Then, pulling Benjamin along, they headed out, Lilyâs voice following them, âGrandpa would be so happy to hear youâre going on a date, heâd wake up right away.â
Harper let go of Benjaminâs hand once they were in the car.
Benjamin turned to look at Harper beside him and asked softly, âWhat movie are we going to see?â
âI just lying to Mom,â Harper replied indifferently.
âYou always say we shouldnât lie, ?â
âIt was a white lie. Even if mom finds out, she wonât blame me âA white lie?â Benjamin stared at her intently. âSo, what are you trying to suggest to me?â
Harper frowned, realizing what he meant.
âIâm not suggesting anything. I didnât say anything. Could you not jump to conclusions,â Harper retorted.
Alright, I wonât overthink it. Now that itâs just the of us, tell me, is there anything wrong âItâs your body, How would I know?â
Harper rquickly turned her head away, not wanting to continue the conversation.
Yet, Benjamin seemed to insist, as if he wouldnât let it go unless she answered.
with my health?â Benjamin asked it sanctimoniously.
He even grabbed her, forcing her to face him, and looked into her eyes. âYouâre my wife. If you donât know, who does?â
Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes âWhat did he mean by that?
darted away.
Had she and Lauren never indeed been together?â Harper thought.
Harper pressed her lips, her actions caught Benjaminâs gaze. Images of her stifled moans and murmurs under his kisses invaded his mind, along with her pleading voice, making his breathing grow heavier.
Just then, a cell phone rang, snapping back to reality.
It was Harperâs phone The caller was Frank.
Benjaminâs face darkened when he saw the name on the screen.
Her mice was gentle, exactly how she used to talk to him, but now she seemed like a hedgehog showing its sprie Whatever Finnk mid made a faint anile appear on Harperâs face, irritating Benjamin deeply.
Without knowing why, Benjamin suddenly suggested in a low tone, âHarper, since mom misunderstood us going on a date, why donât we just stay out tonight?â
Harper was startled, her eyes lifting to meet Benjaminâs.
Frankâs voice came through the phone. âHarper, are you with him?â
She then softly affirmed.
Frank said, âYou guys are getting a divorce, so why is he acting like this?â
Harper didnât know the answer to that question either.
Indeed, they were about to divorce, and Benjamin acted as if nothing was wrong. In Harperâs mind, it must be because he didnât care that he seemed so indifferent.
Thinking about this her feel exceedingly awful.
Feeling much more sober and calm, she told Frank, âLetâs leave it at this for now; we can talk more at the office tomorrow.
After hanging up the phone, Harper looked at Benjamin and said, âLetâs just go home. Itâs not the right time to go to a movie.
âWhy would it be inappropriate?â
âIt was just an excuse; you didnât have to take it seriously,â Harper said softly.
âHarper, are you worried Frank might misunderstand something?â Benjamin asked accusingly.
Frowning.
Benjamin didnât respond. He just stepped on the accelerator, and the ear sped off.
The atmosphere was silent the whole way.
Harper felt wronged. She hadnât said anything incorrectly but he was upset about it.
Although they werenât ignoring each other like last night, everyone at Pineview Villa could sense Benjaminâs foul mood.
Harper naturally wouldnât coddle him. She had figured it out. It was better to rip off the bandâaid. If she appeased him, it would only make her more dependent, better to keep their relationship lukewarm.
Thanks to Chris stepping in, Harperâs company maintained its partnership with Summit Realty.
Today, the two companies officially signed their cooperation agreement. Summit Realty explained their previous misunderstanding. âMs. Mitchell, weâre truly sorry. We had no idea you were connected to the Mitchell family and such good friends with Mr. Martin. You should have told us earlier, and we could have avoided these misunderstandings.â
Harper just offered a faint smile in response.
Her to was known only to their families and close friends, and to the outside world, it was a secret. Unexpectedly. Benjamin explained to others that they were just excellent friends.
Although it wasnât a problem, it still hurt her bit inside, After resolving this issue, Harper and Frank had lunch together. Frank brought up a sensitive topic. âSince you and Benjamin are getting a divorce, are you planning to stay in Mayby?â
âNo, I Iâll leave here once the divorce is finalized. Youâll stay to manage the companyâ¦
âHarper,â Frank interrupted, âIâve told you, wherever you go, Iâll follow. If you want to keep the company. Iâll for someone to manage it. If not, weâll dissolve it,â
Chapter 26 He Seems Unhappy âIt has to be preserved. I canât let them lose their jobs.â
Harper insisted that. She never considered dissolving the company as it would be unfair to others.
âAlright, letâs it your way. Is the divorce date set yet? Once you leave this place, youâre the same person you used to be.â
Frank watched Harper and waited for an answer.
Harper responded softly, âItâs not set yet. Grandpa canât accept it yet. I canât hurt grandpa no matter what.â
Harper spent the entire day at the office. Lately, she visibly lost weight as she ate very little each meal, mainly sticking to bland food and avoiding anything , spicy, or stimulating Frank still drove her to Pineview Villa in the evening.
Although it was a bit of a bother, it was unsafe for her to drive recently as her concentration was spoor.
The car steadied in front of Pineview Villa. Harper was just about to reach for her seatbelt, barely touching it before she could unbuckle.
They heard a loud bang, a tremendous force struck from behind.
The inertia jolted forward the carâs occupants and then snapped back, but luckily, they were wearing seatbelts and werenât hurt, just severely shaken.
Harper sat there, stunned, her hands instinctively protecting her abdomen, worrying silently, âDid I scare you, baby?â
Frank noticed her movement and thought she was injured, quickly asking. âHow are you, Harper?
you okay?â
Harper took a deep breath, indeed shaken but she believed the baby was fine.
She shook her head. âIâm fine, letâs see what happened.â
Exiting the car, they saw a familiar black car.
Frank instinctively looked at Harper as she stared unblinkingly at the man in the driverâs seat.
He was hunched over, his head bowed. They didnât know what had happened to him.
Harper walked over, quickly pulled the car door open, and softly called out the manâs name, âBenjamin?â