Chapter 29
Her head was down, her face full of sadness. She looked like someone who had been through a lot but was trying to keep it together.
Emily seemed to be enduring it for the sake of Alex’s reputation. The more she acted like this, the more uncomfortable Alex felt.
His decision to bring Harper to the gala caused Emily’s distress. Even though Emily didn’t say a word of blame, it was clear she was telling him that he owed her.
“Alex, it’s really okay. I’m not in any pain at all. For you, I can do anything.”
He looked at Emily, his eyes filled with warmth and guilt.
“Emily, I’m sorry for making you suffer.”
Harper’s heart clenched inexplicably.
He actually said sorry!
The proud, poised and decisive Alex had never apologized to anyone before.
At least in the past six years, Harper had never heard him say the word.
She had thought that the word “sorry” didn’t even exist in his vocabulary.
But today, he really said it.
It turned out that even the toughest man could show a soft side in front of the woman he loved.
“Emily, what do you want me to do? It’s all my fault. How can I make it up to you?” He cooed.
People around started to whisper among themselves.
“Who is she? Mr. Lavien is being so gentle with her.”
“Isn’t it strange? The Mr. Lavien I know is always so indifferent. It’s rare to see him like this.”
Hearing this, Emily’s lips curved into a smile. “Alex, let’s just drop it.”
Brad chimed in, “Yeah, after all, Harper is Emily’s sister. We’re all family here.”
He emphasized “family,” subtly hinting at the close relationship between the Orsini family and the Lavien family.
Alex, of course, caught the hint but chose to ignore him.
“What’s going on? A show? Let me see, I love a good show.”
At some point, Caden had joined the group, a smile playing on his lips.
“Mr. Lavien likes to protect women, huh? What a coincidence, I have the same hobby.”
He walked straight to Harper’s side, giving her a playful wink, as if to say they were in this together.
Seeing him, Alex’s expression turned cold.
Caden, the troublemaker, always seemed to be everywhere.
At this moment, Frank spoke up, “Alex, let’s discuss this later. The dinner is about to start.”
Alex remained silent, understanding that this wasn’t the right time to handle the issue.
Frank was a top doctor in Majestic City and a close friend of Alex’s,
While Alex might ignore others, he always listened to Frank to some extent.
Frank gave Harper a look, signaling her to take the opportunity to leave.
Chapter
Harper nodded slightly at him and then walked away.
Caden quickly followed, a fawning smile on his face.
“Ms. Orsini, need someone to talk to? I’m a great listener.”
Harper’s face was stern, her tone cold. “Mr. Elikin, I’d like to be alone.”
**
Caden stopped, pouting and making a helpless gesture. “Alright, if you need me, just call. I’ll be there.”
Harper ignored him and continued walking.
Her mind was in turmoil, feeling like a thousand things were about to burst out. She just wanted to find a quiet corner to hide in.
She wandered aimlessly until she finally saw a room labeled “Lounge.”
She pushed open the door, closed it behind her, and slid down to the floor, feeling all her strength drain away.
Suddenly, tears started streaming down her face uncontrollably.
She cried quietly, feeling devastated.
Why did Emily have to bring up her mom?
Her mom, Alvina, was a wound that would never heal.
In her memories, Alvina was always so gentle.
Alvina always spoke softly to her, saying, “Honey, you’re so adorable today.”
*
www
Whenever she got first place, Alvina would pick her up, kiss her cheek, and say, “My Harper is amazing!”
She had always thought this would last forever.
Until she was eight, and her world was shattered.
As Haper was lost in her thoughts, a soft knock came from the door.
Harper wiped away her tears, slowly got up, and opened the door.
Caden walked in, holding two glasses of wine.
“Care for a drink?”
He smiled, his tone teasing, “It’s free, might as well.”
pakan jatt all it t
Harper didn’t say anything, silently taking the
and sipping it.
but with
a
sweet aftertaste.
The cold wine slid down her throat, bitter
at
Caden downed his drink in one go, casually placing e
the
repty glass on the table before sitting on the sofa by the window.
He spread his arms on the backrest, exuding a lazy charm.
“You can treat me like air. Say whatever you want.” He spoke lightly, his yoice almost drunkenly soft.
Harper was truly exhausted, having held everything in for so long. She needed to let it out, like a drowning person gasping for air.
She walked over and sat on a chair, her expression calm but with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
She began to speak, her voice distant as if traveling through time.
Emily is the daughter of Brad and his mistress. We’re half–sisters. My mother died when I was eight, leaving behind a younger brother.”
Caden didn’t fully understand the relationships but held back his questions, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts.
She looked out the window, continuing, “But my brother isn’t Brad’s child. Before my mother died, she told me to take care of my brother. I was young and didn’t understand much of the adult world, but I knew I had to fulfill my mother’s last wish.”
The light cast a soft glow on her face, giving her a dreamy beauty.
Her expression remained calm, but she looked different from the Harper everyone usually saw.
Now, she seemed to evoke a sense of pity.
“From that day on, I became a pawn for the Orsini family. Brad warned me to behave, or he would hurt my brother.”
She looked back, smiling faintly.
“That’s it. It’s nothing, really. Things are fine now.”
Though she spoke lightly, Caden could feel an indescribable sorrow.
She must have been so scared, so alone as a child.
She had endured so much, which made her the strong Harper she was today.
Suddenly, Caden straightened up, his expression serious.
“Harper, don’t worry. From now on, I’ll protect you! I’ll keep you safe!”
What Alex couldn’t do, he would.
Harper chuckled softly.
“I’ve tried before, but it always ends in failure. Why should I rush to try again?”
Her eyes sparkled as she looked directly at him, as if trying to see through him.
“Besides, Mr. Elikin, your intentions weren’t pure from the start, were they?”
She was smart enough to understand why Caden had approached her.
But I’m sincere now. You can trust me this time.”
“No need, Mr. Elikin. I think we’re better off as business partners.”
Caden squinted, smiling, “Suit yourself, but I won’t give up. I’ll pursue you relentlessly until I succeed.”
