Chapter 10
Despite Emily’s fancy talk, it was still a bad move for Alex to let her come to the banquet.
Holden’s birthday bash was packed with VIPs, all either old family pals or close relatives. But Emily? What was her reason for attending the party with Alex?
Even though Alex kept his marriage on the down–low, everyone in high society knew he and Harper were hitched. Today, Harper showed up as Alex’s wife, but her husband brought along his rumored girlfriend, totally embarrassing her.
Moreover, Alex was showing complete disrespect towards Holden by behaving this way. He was disregarding the Lavien family’s sense of decency.
“Alex, is this gonna be a problem for you? If it is, I can just head back,” Emily said, lowering her eyes, looking all downcast and aggrieved.
“Alex, I’m sorry and I know it’s all on me. I was too naive. I just wanted to see you, and that would’ve been enough. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” She slowly let go of Alex’s hand and turned to leave.
But Alex grabbed her hand again. “Since you’re already here, no need to go back.”
He looked at Holden seriously and said, “Grandpa, Emily’s here too.”
Holden was fuming. “Do you think it’s appropriate for her to be here on such an occasion?”
“Grandpa, she’s not an outsider. It’s your birthday party, and she means well.”
Holden was so mad his mustache practically stood on end.
Emily softly persuaded, “Alex, don’t upset your grandpa. Let’s give Mr. Lavien and Harper some time and not bother them. Can you take me somewhere else to look around?”
Alex nodded. “Alright, I’ll show you around.”
“Okay, I’ll follow your lead,” Emily nodded, looking all cute and obedient.
With everyone watching, Alex and Emily just walked out openly.
Holden was beyond furious, but thinking of Harper, he held back his anger and tried to comfort her. “Harper, don’t take it seriously. Emily saved Alex once, so he feels like he owes her.”
Harper’s eyes dimmed. Was it really just because she saved his life? She had saved him too, more than once. Why didn’t Alex ever feel like he owed her?
It wasn’t about owing someone; it was about feelings, Harper thought. Alex had never shown her such blatant favoritism. A wave of bitterness welled up in her heart, but she seemingly unbothered.
‘I’ll make sure to give Alex a piece of my mind when we get back,” Holden said angrily.
Harper chuckled. “Let him be.”
What else could she do? Slapping Emily?
Emily would just laugh at her, saying she couldn’t keep Alex’s heart. It wasn’t anyone else’s fault that she lacked charm and couldn’t hold her position.
Making a scene would only make her look worse.
At that moment, Travis Reed and Frank Parker came over to greet Harper.
They were Alex’s childhood friends, and the three of them had always been tight.
“Harper, Alex probably doesn’t mean anything by it. He just wants to show Emily around.”
“Yeah, Emily just returned from abroad, and Alex doesn’t want to ignore her.”
They were trying to comfort Harper. But as Alex’s friends, they all thought he was going too far.
Harper was his wife, and he just left her to hang out with another woman, which was like publicly stomping on Harper’s dignity and humiliating her. How could she maintain her footing in the Lavien family after this?
If her husband didn’t respect her, how could anyone else?
Chapter 10
Harper gave a bitter smile and stayed quiet. Her eyes followed Alex, watching him patiently listen to Emily’s flirty chatter. His deep blue eyes held a rare gentleness, a tenderness he had never shown her.
Holden left to welcome his old friends as he saw them approaching.
Travis finally got the chance to ask Harper in a low voice, “Have you decided on the divorce?”
Frank looked over, worried. Harper’s heart sank; it seemed they already knew about the divorce.
It made sense. Alex was close to them, so he must have told them.
Harper nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Travis sighed. Alex walked with Emily in a high–profile manner, indicating the announcement of their relationship.
“This is the dumbest thing Alex has ever done since I’ve known him,” Frank said angrily.
Harper loved him deeply and did so much for him.
As Alex’s friends, they knew very well that Alex’s current status was largely due to Harper’s efforts.
The Lavien Group was a wealthy and influential family business, so many people were eyeing it greedily. Alex’s parents were taken out by enemies, leaving only him to support the company alone, facing many challenges.
At that time, Harper had just graduated from college and joined the company without hesitation, standing by Alex’s side.
Once, someone tampered with Alex’s car. If Harper hadn’t found out in time and taken the car herself, Alex would have died in a car accident.
Another time, Alex had just stepped into an elevator when it suddenly malfunctioned and plummeted. Harper took emergency measures to pull Alex back from the brink of death. Whenever Alex was in danger, Harper was always the first to arrive, even risking her own life for his safety.
Whoever knew Alex saw these touching sacrifices and could clearly tell that Harper truly loved him, otherwise, she wouldn’t have done all that for him.
But Alex, this fool who was deceived, didn’t see any of Harper’s efforts and sacrifices, and even wanted to leave Harper and turn to Emily. What was he thinking?
“Harper, have you really decided to give up on Alex?”
“Divorce is a big deal. Think it through. You’ve been married for five years. It’s not easy to get to this point.”
“With Alex’s proud personality, he won’t look back after the divorce. If you still love him, don’t make a hasty decision.”
Hearing their persuasion, Harper responded with a bitter smile. Was she the one who initiated the divorce? It was Alex, eager to get divorced as if there was
no tomorrow.
But even now, she didn’t want to embarrass Alex, so she said, “It’s not something I can decide. You know Alex has always liked Emily. If I don’t let go, it would seem like I’m being unreasonable, as if I’m clinging to him deliberately.”
Travis looked conflicted. “Alex has always had a soft spot for Emily, but after everything you have done for him over the years, he gradually became glad to have you around. Seeing the growing understanding between you two, I thought you would be together for your whole lives.”
Frank, who used to be a gentleman, cursed directly, “Alex is an idiot. Even if Emily saved his life once, how does that compare to what Harper has done?”
Harper’s heart grew even more bitter. Everyone knew Alex couldn’t let go of Emily, and she had foolishly walked towards him.
No matter how much she did for Alex, it couldn’t compare to a single smile from Emily. It turned out that Emily was the one he cherished deeply. Apart from Emily, there was no one else he would pay attention to. As they were talking, a lazy voice sounded, and Caden walked over with a glass of wine.
